Morgan admits to humility learnt in politics
Published:Tuesday | February 18, 2025 | 12:12 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
Clarendon North Central Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Morgan says politics has humbled him and he is learning to listen to the will of the people.
The first-term MP faced an upheaval in the Mocho division last year with Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor Romaine Morris switching allegiance to the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and retaining the seat in the local government polls.
Two months later, the usually outspoken Morgan was replaced as the party’s information minister and reassigned to the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation as a minister without portfolio with responsibility for works. Since then, he has been noticeably less vocal.
But speaking with The Gleaner last Thursday, following the ceremonial opening of Parliament, Morgan admitted that he had undergone significant personal growth, responding affirmatively when asked if he had become more humbled.
“Significantly, I am not ashamed to say it,” he said.
Morgan spoke candidly about his journey, stating, “I think I have learned to listen more. I am less prone to my own opinions, but rather [more open to] listening to what the people actually want.
“Politics will make you, if you are listening and learning, a more humble person because you have to listen to everybody and you have to take into consideration the opinions and feelings and the life experiences of every single individual, as you will never know everything and you don’t live in their communities.
“So you can’t be presumptuous to assume that what you think is right for them is what is right for them,” Morgan said.
Although pleased with the work that he has been doing in the constituency, the young politician was careful not to make bold predictions about securing a second term.
“That is for the people to decide. We continue to do the work that the people ask us to do, and we’ll be out there on the ground as we have been for the past four years,” he told The Gleaner. “And at the end of the day, the people, in their wisdom, will decide who is their member of parliament.”
WORK VISIBLE IN CONSTITUENCY
Morgan expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the constituency over the last four years.
“We’ve done a lot of roadwork – water projects, housing projects, education projects.
“We believe that when the people have the opportunity to make a choice based on the work that we have done, they will be making the choice. We continue to be servant leaders. We continue to work with our communities,” he said, adding that he will continue to engage the people and listen to them while working in the best interest of the constituency.
So far, he said, his biggest achievement has been the restoration and reopening of the Chapelton Community Hospital.
He shared that the US$1-million donation from philanthropist Beverly Nichols was insufficient to carry out the restoration work and so he had to advocate for additional funds from the health ministry and the prime minister to complete the work.
“That’s a big achievement because it improves the health and lifestyle of the people of the constituency. It actually saves lives, and the fact that I was able to be a part of that and be actively involved in getting that project finished is something that I’m very proud of,” Morgan said.
Going into the constituency, Morgan said his goal was to make the “community a better place” and he believes that has been achieved.
“We have better roads now. We’re going to have a major water project to give all of Rock River water. We have an almost brand-new hospital. Our schools are in better condition.
“We have provided buses to Clarendon College and Lennon High. We’ve provided numerous assistance to community members, farmers, and the indigent. We have worked with our children’s homes to make them better,” Morgan said, reeling off a list of achievements.
He added that he has also built a new wing at the Summerfield Community Centre.
If he succeeds in the upcoming polls, Morgan plans to finish the Rock River Water Treatment Plant, which will provide water for residents who have been without a reliable supply for three decades.
He also wants to improve water supply in the general constituency, including in areas such as Mocho.
“So if I do those two things in the second term, I will be very happy with my achievements,” he said.
Asked what advice he wished he was given as a first-time MP, Morgan said with a smile, “I wish somebody would have told me that it’s a 24-hour job, there’s no break, there’s no vacation and you’re basically going to have to sacrifice all of yourself in order to be the leader and the servant that the people expect.”
He believes the Dr Andrew Holness-led JLP is on track for a third term.
“I’m very confident, based on what I’m seeing, based on what I’m hearing on the ground. The people want the Jamaica Labour Party to be around for a little while longer,” he said.