Who will win South East St Mary?
Published:Monday | September 18, 2017 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It seems that by-elections will be called no later than this week. South East St Mary will be the seat all eyes will be on in October. This seat is considered a swing one by both major political parties.
Before the seat was renamed in 1967, Eastern St Mary was considered a Jamaica Labour Party fortress post 1949. Overall, from 1944-2016, the Jamaica Labour Party won nine contested elections; the People's National Party triumphed in six; and an independent name Roy Lindo took home the first contested election in 1944.
Based on the trend of this constituency pre-2011, after winning it, you will likely become a four-star general. Andrew Ross: victories in in 1949, 1955, 1959 and 1962. Alva Ross: election wins in 1967, 1972, 1976, 1980 and the 1983 uncontested election. Harry Douglas: election wins in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2002. Will the PNP continue that trend or will the Jamaica Labour Party stop it?
The JLP needs to have a higher voter turnout in the stronghold divisions of Richmond and Castleton, while the PNP must do the same for Annotto Bay and Belfield.
Will the cash-strapped PNP, after its conference, survive if Prime Minister Andrew Holness calls three by-elections?
TEDDYLEE GRAY
Ocho Rios, St Ann