Warmington’s politics of victimisation must not be condoned – PNP
THE PEOPLE’S National Party (PNP) is expressing alarm at utterances made by Everald Warmington, member of parliament and minister of state in the Office of the Prime, at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) meeting in South East St Mary, recently.
Warmington reportedly suggested to constituents that his government would withhold benefits from the constituency if it elected the PNP’s candidate.
In a statement to the media yesterday, the PNP said, “Warmington implied that voters should choose the JLP candidate as a JLP government is in office, and as such, the constituency will be able to access more benefits than under an opposition MP.”
It continued, “The suggestion speaks to an old style of victimisation, depriving Jamaicans of their right to public benefits regardless of whom they choose to support.”
The PNP said that while it was not surprised by Warmington’s declaration, it was alarmed by his “comfort with a politics of scarce benefits, which Jamaica has left behind years ago”.
“These utterances give deeper meaning to the corrupt $800 million spend on bushing before the local government election, as well as the current de-bushing programme in South East St Mary, which has been undertaken without the knowledge of either the National Works Agency or the Parish Council. It also gives highlight to the other items
These utterances give deeper meaning to the corrupt $800 million spend on bushing before the local government election ... .
being given throughout the constituency to coerce voters,” the statement read.
THE USE OF TOURISM
“We have already raised the issue of the use of Tourism Enhancement Fund and the NSWMA (National Solid Waste Management Authority), and we await the investigation by the Office of the Contractor General and the Office of the Political Ombudsman on the legitimacy of this programme.”
According to the PNP, Warmington’s declaration further underscored the JLP’s politics of “victimisation that has separated many public servants from their jobs, under this administration, through political witch-hunting.”