Attorneys make case in Hanover Western’s first female duel
Published:Monday | July 7, 2025 | 9:33 AMBryan Miller - Sunday Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Pundits are gearing up for an exciting showdown in Hanover Western as the constituency heads into the next general election. For the first time in its history, two women, both born and raised in the parish, will be vying for a seat in the nation’s Parliament.
The two contenders are the incumbent member of Parliament (MP), attorney-at-law Tamika Davis, representing the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and fellow attorney-at-law Heatha Miller-Bennett, who will carry the flag for the People’s National Party (PNP).
In the 2020 general election, Davis (6,028) unseated her PNP opponent, Ian Hayles (4,999), with a 34.58 per cent voter turnout. However, after the PNP claimed all four divisions in the constituency in the 2024 local government elections – and, indeed, all seven divisions across the parish – Davis is expected to face a tough challenge when Jamaicans next head to the polls.
Just over 2,500 more voters are on the current voter’s list compared with the July 31, 2020 list used five years ago. This time, 34,819 electors are eligible to cast ballots.
Since 1962, the Hanover Western seat has swung back and forth between the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), with the latter holding it for the longest stretch.
Since 1962, when the JLP’s Cleveland Stanhope won the seat, Hanover Western has changed hands multiple times. Stanhope successfully defended it in 1967 by defeating the PNP’s Lascelles Murray, who had previously held the seat (1959).
Fresh faces emerged in 1972, when the PNP’s Roy Robinson triumphed over the JLP’s John Marr. Robinson went on to retain the seat in 1977, continuing the PNP’s stronghold on Hanover Western.
In 1980, the JLP’s Horace Chang broke the PNP’s streak, defeating Robinson, and was returned to Gordon House after the PNP failed to contest the 1983 general election.
In 1989, the PNP regained control and held it for 31 years. Benjamin Clare ousted Chang in 1989 and retained the seat in 1993. The PNP continued its dominance with Dr Karl Blythe (1997), Ralston Hanson (2002), and Ian Hayles (2006, 2011, and 2016) all serving consecutive terms for the party.
PNP’s longstanding grip
However, in 2020, the JLP’s Tamika Davis broke the PNP’s long-standing grip on the seat, marking a significant political shift in Hanover Western.
In separate interviews with The Sunday Gleaner, both Davis and Miller-Bennett confirmed that their campaigns are already in full swing. Davis even went as far as to say that her re-election campaign actually began right after her 2020 victory.
“I did [start my re-election campaign] since the 4th of September 2020, and I have often said that, if the electors are to go to the polls based on my performance since being elected, I would not even have to campaign,” Davis stated.
Miller-Bennett, who was selected by the PNP as the party’s prospective candidate just over a year ago, said her campaign started immediately after she was confirmed.
“I have been out in the constituency campaigning for over a year now, and the reception has been exceptional,” said Miller-Bennett. “I have been on the ground and in touch with the people, hearing their needs and cries, and have been responding, and telling them about my vision for the parish and constituency, and what I want for the constituency, so that they can benefit,” she told The Sunday Gleaner.
While Davis believes she has done enough work to guarantee her re-election, she isn’t taking anything for granted. She’s working hard to maintain the support of past voters.
“I have done more work on roads than the last two MPs, but to be honest with you, I inherited a number of bad roads, and despite repairing many, there is still work to be done,” she said.
The poor road conditions and water distribution issues in the constituency are two key problems that Miller-Bennett is highlighting in her campaign. She has promised to prioritise these issues if elected.
“Apart from the everyday issues of water [distribution], bad roads and crime, there are other things that need to be addressed,” said Miller-Bennett. “I have developed a wealth creation plan for the constituency as my aim is to improve the economic welfare of the constituents in general.”
She added that she would prioritise agriculture, support women in small businesses, and offer training and mentorship for the youth, which is key to fostering economic independence.
“After the election, the people of Hanover Western can expect new ideas, honest leadership, shared vision and innovation towards wealth creation,” said Miller-Bennett.
Davis is undaunted by Miller-Bennett’s promises, saying she has racked up significant achievements since she was elected, especially as it relates to educational projects.
“I have spent most of my Community Development Fund (CDF) allocation on education every year, through scholarships, grants and other projects in various schools across the constituency,” she said. “I am a firm believer, not just for show, that education can drive both young and old to a better life.”
She also listed projects such as rehabilitation work being carried out on the Lords playing field and netball court at the entrance to Lucea, a project she described as one of her most recent, which is now almost complete.
“I am really proud of that project, and I have twinned it with a removal of zinc fence programme in that area, which will improve the whole aesthetics of the entrance to the town of Lucea,” she stated.
Millions invested
Davis also named projects such as the millions invested to turn around Chamber’s Pen, the erection of a monument to Sir Alexander Bustamante at the Hanover Parish Library; building of a spectator stand at Rusea’s High School playing field; and assisting several students to visit and witness the nation’s Parliament in session.
Miller-Bennett believes the PNP’s dominance in the last local government elections is a clear sign that the people in Hanover believe it is time to put their fate in the hands of new leadership.
“They are fed up. They are fed up of the inactivity, of no impactful plans to change their lives, and that was their way of sending a message, and I am sure that when the general elections are called their message will even be stronger,” said Miller-Bennett.
Davis, on the other hand, seemed not to be perturbed by the results of the local government election, pointing out that the JLP had only one of four divisions in the constituency, and lost the one.
“So, we have to put it in context, especially in Western Hanover, we have four divisions, and they are all unique in their own way,” said Davis. “We sat down and examined some of the things that we could have strengthened, because clearly, we did not come out victorious, it tells us that something was awry.”
Hanover Western
voting history
2020
Tamika Davis (JLP) 6,028
Ian Hayles 4,999
2016
Ian Hayles (PNP) 6,829
Brian Wallace 5,358
2011
Ian Hayles (PNP) 8,583
Donovan Hamilton 6,905
2007
Ian Hayles (PNP) 7,313
Donovan Hamilton 7,140
2002
Ralston Earl
Hanson (PNP) 7,381
Travis Spence 5,616
1997
Benjamin Clare (PNP) 6 , 978
Travis Spence 4,811
1993
Benjamin Cla re (PNP) 6,241
Hugh Dawes 4,554
1989
Benjamin Clare (PNP) 8,576
Horace Chang 6,096
1983 (uncontested)
Horace Chang (JLP)
1980
Horace Chang (JLP) 8,265
Roy Robinson 5.638
1977
Roy Robinson (PNP) 7,033
John Marr 6,318
1972
Roy Robinson (PNP) 5,670
John Marr 4,030
1967
Cleveland
Stanhope (JLP) 4,712
Lascerlles Murray 4,178
1962
Cleveland
Stanhope (JLP) 6,617
Lascerlles Murray 4,201
1959
Lascelles Murray (PNP) 5,397
William Dickson 4,691
1955
William Dickson (JLP) 3,619
S.A. Shaw 2,400
1949
William Dickson (JLP) 6,290
Walter Tomlinson (PNP) 1,274
1944
Felix Veitch (JLP) 3,200
William Dickson (IND) 2,421