#JaVotes2025 | Crawford banks on support from churches to retain Manchester Central seat

Confident of retaining her seat as Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Rhoda Moy Crawford says her assurance is strengthened by the overwhelming support she has been receiving from her constituents, particularly the church.

“The amount of prayers and prayer groups and bishops and pastors that have been reaching out to me and saying Rhoda, we’re standing with you, we don’t want to see the negativity in our community,” the Jamaica Labour Party candidate told reporters shortly after casting her vote at the Royal Flat Community Centre in the constituency.

The 37-year-old, who stunned the political establishment almost five years ago when she unseated three-term People's National Party (PNP) heavyweight Peter Bunting, is now up against Mayor of Mandeville and Chairman of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, Councillor Donovan Mitchell.

Detailing her achievements in the constituency, Crawford said she has managed to also win over PNP supporters, including some in the PNP stronghold of Bellefield.

“Based on the level of representation that I have taken to Bellefield, all of the four divisions, Bellefield, Royal Flat, Mandeville and Knockpatrick, they are coming out and they are coming out strong,” she said.

She added that she knows without a doubt that when the last ballot is counted this evening, Rhoda Moy Crawford will be returned as member of parliament for Manchester Central and not by a slim majority.”

- Sashana Small

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