Man of the soil, now the man of the people
Morgan extends JLP’s stranglehold on Clarendon North Central
Robert Nesta Morgan, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representative for Clarendon North Central, who was born in Woodhall, the heart of the constituency, is heading to Gordon House as the face of the constituency.
Morgan, a newcomer to representational politics, was victorious after polling 5,726 to Dr Desmond Brennan, the People’s National Party (PNP) candidate’s 3,934. He now holds the seat that was first contested in the 1967 general election, when it was won by the PNP’s Donald Sangster.
“I want to thank the people of North Central Clarendon. I’m from Woodhall. I’m from nothing. The people of North Central have made me into something. They clothed me, they fed me, they allowed me to study on their verandans and sleep in their beds,” Morgan told THE WEEKEND STAR, after extending the JLP’s 18-year stranglehold in the constituency.
Morgan, who swept through the constituency over the last six months, has dedicated his victory to his supporters.
“I’m humbled and I am honoured to serve them. I will do everything I can to improve their lives and make their lives better,” he said.
WASN’T CONFIDENT
When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with Morgan in Chapelton, Clarendon, before he cast his ballot on Thursday morning, he was very reserved; the type of reservation that gave some people the impression that he wasn’t confident the 23,218 electors in the constituency wouldn’t swing in his favour.
“I have no feeling. I am just doing the work,” he said as he left the polling station.
But his teammate, Romaine Morris, councillor for the Mocho division, did not measure his words or the confidence he had in the Clarendon College graduate.
“It will continue,” he said about the JLP’s winning streak. “Persons will support the new candidate.” Clarendon North Central has become a ‘safe seat’ for the JLP.
It was previously held by Pearnel Charles Sr, who has made it a JLP stronghold since 2002. Charles did not seek re-election this time around.
Brennan, who said he was “confident and absolutely sure” of victory, also lost to Charles in the 2016 election.