Awaiting the ruling: West Portland not tuned in to Dabdoub
February 22, 2009
FROM THE fledgling sea-coast towns to the rustic hills of West Portland, residents appear to be speaking in one voice.
They say Daryl Vaz was elected member of Parliament (MP) by the majority of voters in the September 2007 general election and he should be allowed to continue the job he has started.
The Court of Appeal is expected to rule soon on whether Vaz should remain in the seat, or if Abe Dabdoub should take over.
The court could also uphold Chief Justice Zaila McCalla's ruling that a by-election take place in the constituency.
"Most people on the ground are expecting a by-election," says one man as he prepares to enter Vaz's constituency office in Buff Bay.
Of those prepared to speak with The Sunday Gleaner, most appeared willing to accept a by-election, but they would be more satisfied if they could forget about voting and get on with their lives.
"In a democracy, the majority rules, and as far as mi concern, the majority of West Portland reject Dabdoub; and Vaz has not been doing a bad job," Orville Jackson told The Sunday Gleaner.
pnp bastion
Jackson said he was a PNP supporter and votes in the St Margaret's Bay division, one of those usually considered a PNP bastion, but one which went to Vaz in the 2007 general election.
According to Jackson, he has always voted PNP and would vote PNP if a by-election were ordered; but, unlike the leadership of the party, he was not optimistic of a Dabdoub win.
"As far as mi si it, di seat swing gone to JLP, suh even if di court seh by-election, Vaz a guh win same way," Jackson reasoned.
The PNP has said that it has oiled its machinery and would be ready to hit the ground running in West Portland should the Court of Appeal uphold McCalla's ruling for a by-election....
Author: Daraine Luton
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
