Father’s tears flow as Haughton nominated

WESTERN BUREAU:

A wall of orange engulfed Dr Andre Haughton on Nomination Day, shutting out even his father, Textron Haughton, who could only stand on the margins, tears streaming down his cheeks.

The elder Haughton wept openly as jubilant supporters carried the People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for St James West Central above their heads.

“A cry mi deh cry. Mi know where we coming from as a father. Poverty. Real poverty,” he told The Gleaner, unable to stop the tears rolling down his face.

Haughton’s voice trembled as he revisited the years of hardship.

“All him did have was taxi fare to go to school,” he said. “If a neh scholarship when him reach university, mi nuh know how him would reach.”

His son’s path, he explained, was carved from struggle and sacrifice. Born in Mt Salem, Dr Haughton started at Centre School, then moved to Barracks Road Primary, before topping the national examination and winning a place at the prestigious Cornwall College.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Haughton said. “Cornwall was just lunch money. But him push through.”

Cornwall College, famous for producing some of the island’s most accomplished leaders in medicine, politics, and business, became a launching pad. But for Haughton, who came from an inner-city community, it was also a daily reminder of how far he had to climb.

Now an economist and lecturer, Dr Haughton was a sight his father could hardly believe.

“Suh me feel,” Textron whispered, trying to convince himself that the boy who once went without was on the cusp of becoming member of parliament.

“I can’t even get near him. Everybody a push mi aside,” he said, laughing between sobs. The crowd may not have realised who he was, but to Haughton it didn’t matter, he was witnessing a dream unfold.

Although only one of 10 people allowed into the Catherine Hall Primary School to witness the official nomination, Haughton said the moment will live with him forever.

“These are tears of joy,” he explained. “To know where him a come from, and to see him here now… mi just give thanks.”

For the elder Haughton, politics was not the point on Monday. It was fatherhood, the years of sacrifice, the hunger, the uncertainty, now washed away in an ocean of pride.

Dr Haughton’s father knows the fight ahead will not be easy. His son lost to incumbent Marlene Malahoo Forte in the 2020 general election, and she remains a formidable opponent with 10 years of experience in the constituency and a strong national profile.

But while pundits debate swing votes and battleground strategies, Haughton holds onto something more personal: faith.

“God willing, him will win this time,” he said, his tears finally replaced by a faint, hopeful smile.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com