- NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Work done by P.J Patterson in Eastern Westmoreland turned that consitutency into a strong PNP territory.Shalman Scott, Contributor
ON JUNE 7, the PNP candidate Luther Buchanan - outside of a miracle - will be declared the winner and next Member of Parliament for the constituency of Eastern Westmoreland.
The by-election in that constituency of predominantly small farmers is nothing more than an academic exercise, as no one but the politically naive should expect anything less than a decisive PNP victory.
Except for the 1980 and 1983 parliamentary general elections which were won by the JLP's Euphemia Williams, PJ Patterson has been the constituency MP since 1972. Patterson succeeded the flamboyant Maxwell Carey who succeeded the equally colourful FLB 'Slave Boy' Evans in 1955.
REMOVING THE MACE
Both FLB 'Slave Boy' Evans and Maxwell Carey have had the dubious distinction of removing, at different times, the mace while Parliament was in session, which dramatic furore forced a temporary end to parliamentary proceedings.
So, Eastern Westmoreland, despite its deep rural location and seemingly obscure existence, has had lively and dramatic personages representing a constituency, which demanded attention even before the hardworking and capable MP PJ Patterson arrived.
Patterson took things to another level by fulfilling - as it were - the dreams and aspirations of FLB Evans and Maxwell Carey - issues which brought them both frustration and anger over the period of 1940 to the 1950s.
Eastern Westmoreland has remained strong PNP territory because of the work done in that constituency by PJ Patterson, which is seen by many as second to none. Consequently PJ's positive legacy does not only include his non-confrontational political style, but also has set the fine example of a consummate constituency representative.
BENEFITS
Eastern Westmoreland has benefitted in so many ways: piped water, roads, schools at various levels, factories, community-based projects, agricultural programmes for small farmers, opportunities for overseas employment and training for young people among many other benefits that the constituency has received owing to PJ Patterson's clout and influence.
In all of this, the former Prime Minister had a first rate team of second tier leadership including former Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Ralph Anglin, Noel Montieth and Luther Buchanan, among others who ensured that Eastern Westmoreland was always well represented and derived benefits due to the people. And I am left to hear anyone claim that the Labourites in the constituency of Eastern Westmoreland have been unfairly treated.
It is within this contextual framework that three persons are vying for the crown of Eastern Westmoreland. These persons are Councilor Luther Buchanan (PNP), Don Foote attorney-at-law (JLP) and Ras Astor Black (Independent candidate).
The JLP's Don Foote, who was badly defeated by PJ Patterson in the last general election of 2002, has been sounding quite upbeat about a possible win. He has asserted that the reason for his confidence is that Luther Buchanan is not a PJ Patterson. But, the more relevant observation I think that the JLP candidate should have made is that Don Foote is not PNP!
Apart from PJ Patterson's consolidation of Eastern Westmoreland as PNP territory, the historical results of previous contested parliamentary elections in the area are to be noted.
WINNING PNP TICKET
FLB Evans, before crossing the floor to join the PNP won that constituency as an independent candidate in 1944. In 1949, He ran on a PNP ticket and won. The PNP won this constituency again in, 1955, 1959, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1976, 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2002.
The JLP won this constituency of Eastern Westmoreland in 1980 and continued representation until 1989 due to the PNP non-participation in the snap elections of 1983 called by then JLP leader and Prime Minster Eddie Seaga.
Of the 14 general parliamentary elections held since 1944 in Eastern Westmoreland, the PNP contested 12 of which that party won 11 to the JLP's single victory. And the margin of PNP victories has been huge. With this kind of historical record of PNP electoral successes in the constituency of Eastern Westmoreland, outside of the garrison seats controlled by the PNP, no other PNP seat is as safe.
It also explains the haste of the PNP to call a by-election in one of its strongholds. For the politically ignorant and unsuspecting, it is hoped that the PNP victory will create an impression that Portia Simpson Miller has started to defeat Bruce Golding in this their first election square off.
What is sad is that the JLP - seeing the outcome as predictable - may not see the need to put in train a public relations offensive to offset this by-election result.
JLP'S PERIL
That omission if it occurs, will be to the JLP's peril as the PNP has always made use of the Jamaican proverb "simple trash blind eye" in politically outmanoeuvring the JLP and Eddie Seaga who, despite his brilliance, was sent into representational political retirement!
Don Foote against Luther Buchanan is just the smallest part of the bigger picture.
The fact is that personality is not a catalytic factor in modern day politics. As a matter of historical record, the last time that an Independent candidate won a seat in our Parliament was in 1949. This closed the chapter on Independent wins without the backing of a political party. That is why Ras Astor Black is wasting his time and deposit.
The JLP's Don Foote is a brilliant country lawyer and hard worker who should, after this next whipping, find a seat somewhere else in order to advance his chances of fulfilling his dream of service to his country at the parliamentary level.
It is not wise in the act of climbing to higher political service that you botch your chances by choosing to climb, bare footed (no pun intended), a political grease pole.
Eastern Westmoreland is a political grease pole, not just for the energetic Don Foote, but for the JLP.
Congratulations to the PNP's Luther Buchanan and I hope that he carry on the fine tradition of constituency representation laid by PJ Patterson, Maxwell Carey and FLB 'Slave Boy' Evans.
Shalman Scott is a political analyst. Email him at shalscott@hotmail.com.
