Vaz: East Portland needs good leadership

ANN-MARIE VAZ, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for East Portland, is throwing cold water on comments made by Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips that the constituency is People’s National Party (PNP) territory.

Following the funeral of murdered Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Lynvale Bloomfield on Saturday, Phillips told The Gleaner: “It doesn’t matter who is here or who is coming, this is PNP territory and that will remain for a long time to come.”

The constituency of East Portland has been a favourite battleground for the PNP, which has seen them winning nine out of 10 elections contested by them and has held on to since 1989.

But speaking yesterday at the JLP’s Area Council 2 conference at Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, Vaz charged that the time had come for better representation in the constituency.

“East Portland is in need of good leadership and that is why I’m offering my self to effect that change. For decades, the basic infrastructure has collapsed, and tourism has been crippled,” she said, adding that her main goal is to restore Port Antonio to its former glory, when tourism was at its peak.

“This is where tourism started and no effort will be spared under my watch in bringing back cruise ships and ensuring that tourism industry players and other interests will be able capitalise on the trade and get meaningful earnings,” she said. “I will be focusing heavily on the youths by providing them with the necessary training for them to be able to market themselves in the workplace.”

Earlier, JLP Chairman Robert Montague spoke about the need for a change of the guard in the constituency, which, according to him, will bring about social, economic, and financial improvements and stability for every resident.

“The time is right for the people of East Portland to experience a better kind of living, where they can benefit from varied programmes initiated by their elected political representative. Mrs Vaz has a clear vision that involves all who desire to enjoy real prosperity,” Montague said.

But it was West Portland MP Daryl Vaz who drew a huge cheer from party supporters after hitting out at PNP Vice-President Damion Crawford, the Opposition’s likely pick to take up the mantle left by Bloomfield.

“Them sending a Rasta who cannot even find Fellowship or Manchioneal on his own, “Vaz argued. “He knows nothing about this constituency and cannot find his way around. The only place him know is Boston, and that is where the jerk pork sells.”

The date for the by-election is yet to be announced.