St Thomas Western divided

With the general election clock ticking, cries for jobs and sustainable opportunities, especially for young people, are echoing across St Thomas Western.

While long-time Member of Parliament James Robertson still enjoys strong support in many corners of the constituency, frustration is rising, particularly in rural communities where people feel overlooked and left behind.

Robertson, who has held the seat since 2002, is seeking a sixth term. However, his main challenger, People’s National Party (PNP) representative Hubert Williams, is gaining traction among voters disillusioned by poor roads, high unemployment, and a perceived lack of political will to address long-standing community issues.

In Llandewey, many residents – particularly those aligned with the Opposition – expressed deep dissatisfaction with Robertson’s representation.

A 57-year-old farmer seen along the roadside by The Sunday Gleaner declared: “James and Andrew a lose. Dem nah gwaan good. Yuh nuh see how di road dem stay.”

“Leave my MP alone!” shouted a woman from a taxi as it slowed to a halt.

“He needs to go,” said the driver, while the woman quickly countered, “Him nah go noweh. Him do whole heap fi mi, pay all mi pickney school fee.”

Continuing his lament, the farmer added, “A five-term now and wi have a community centre. It nuh fix from Hurricane Ivan (2004) blow off the top and it just down deh open suh. James no do nothing round here.”

“We want a change,” he said, signalling his support for Williams, who he believes has a better approach.

Another livestock farmer, a 33-year-old who described himself as a “trying youth”, voiced frustration over being overlooked due to his family’s political affiliation despite his efforts.

“With my game plan, mi think somebody should help mi but a mi alone bring my farm from nothing to something,” he said.

He pointed to the farm work programme, saying, “Come in like mi wud a affi sell my soul fi get it.”

MORE NEEDED FOR AGRICULTURE

The young farmer called for more attention to be given to those with potential, particularly in agriculture. He expressed disappointment over the lack of investment in his sector, highlighting the absence of crop diversification, slaughterhouses, licensed butchers, and cold storage facilities.

Both men agreed there’s no evidence of any plans targeting youth development or support in their community.

Curzon Simpson, a 56-year-old courier, noted that diaspora groups are now stepping in to raise funds to fix the community and health centres.

When asked about voting, Simpson said, “I’m undecided. No one came to pick me up last election fi vote. Maybe if somebody come pick me up. Mi nah gi miself no trouble.”

Further in the community, similar sentiments were echoed.

“We nuh have nutting, not one ting,” said another farmer among a small group. “The more yuh go up a di worse it get,” he said, referencing the poor road conditions.

He shared that he was willing to take a chance on Williams to see if he could do better.

Pointing to the state of the road, Jason, a 35-year-old resident, said of the MP, “Him nuh mek sense. Mi couldn’t find a single ting fi say him do.”

A concrete mixer operator, Ricardo, agreed, emphasising that their stance was not based on politics but on a genuine desire for improvement. He added that the community doesn’t even have a centre to offer youth skills training.

“Wi affi move him aside,” said Ricardo, a regular voter, noting he sees no benefit from the urban centre or the highway.

In Ramble, residents were generally more satisfied, though they noted they rarely saw the MP except during elections.

A vendor, Shorlene, said while the road in her area had been fixed, she remained concerned about job shortages and the lack of youth opportunities.

“We want a homework [centre] fi di kids and more upliftment fi di youth dem,” she said.

Shorlene described herself as undecided, but said, “Mi a vote fi better. Mi nuh diehearted.”

pleased

Nearby, contractor and chef Marland James expressed satisfaction with the representation and praised the condition of the road and the upcoming bridge upgrade.

“Mi no have nuttin bad fi say. Wi get wey wi waa good road – and from mi live inna St Thomas fi 27 year a di best a it dis,” he said.

He said the only missing elements are jobs and training for young people, but expressed optimism about the future.

In Cedar Valley, support for Robertson appeared strong – even among some PNP supporters.

“Mi as a PNP, mi see weh him a do,” said 60-year-old farmer El Perro. “Him fix road, some youth get jobs and him mek Wi-Fi come a Cedar Valley.

“He has been working hard,” he added, noting that some areas still need water and better roads, but affirmed he would vote to retain Robertson.

As for Williams, El Perro said he hasn’t seen a clear vision from him, dismissing him as a serious contender, while praising the Government for investing more in the parish.

“The urban centre a gwaan good. It going to bring a lot of jobs,” he said. “Wi jus waa more investment.”

Another farmer, Robert, 60, a self-proclaimed “born Labourite”, said he was pleased with Robertson’s performance. “Me see him a try. Is a must fi him win back.”

In Trinityville, support for Robertson remained strong.

“Mi satisfy with him; him a gwaan good. We get good road and urban centre. Mi jus want him fi help the young people dem get some more jobs,” one resident said.

However, she expressed dismay at his absence from the area.

“Wi nuh ongle waa see dem when a election time,” she said.

Another resident, Andrea Fitzgerald, said, “So far mi nuh have no issue.”

The 45-year-old caregiver praised Robertson for supporting small business ventures and repairing roads.

Asked about Williams, she admitted knowing little about him and said she would vote for Robertson’s party, influenced by broader infrastructure work and the performance of the JLP councillor.

In White Horses, traditionally a PNP stronghold, several residents still expressed support for Robertson, criticising Williams’ work as a councillor.

Brown, a 60-year-old carpenter, lauded Robertson’s leadership and attention to infrastructure.

“Him respond to people call in any disaster and is always there,” he said, adding that the MP frequently drives through the community and interacts with residents.

Of Williams, he said, “I don’t know of his work as a councillor”, noting that the roadwork done by the parish council has been poor, “it like scamming”.

Brown declared:“James will retain his seat. Mi 100 per cent sure, majority is for him.”

Nearby, a woman said Williams has served the area as councillor for two terms and as mayor of Morant Bay and does not have a good track record.

“If him did a work, him would a get my vote. A James we a support, him gi we road. Now we can walk from Bull Bay. We nuh affi a walk inna river fi water wash we weh.”

Noting that Williams is no threat, she said James has helped many youth with training and securing jobs, including one of her daughters.

In Seaforth, several persons also backed Robertson, crediting him with road repairs and for assisting with PATH enrolment.

“No switch nah gwaan. Him win de seat already and di day no come yet,” said Frederick Noel, a 63-year-old welder.

However, Marcia, 63, a domestic helper selling callaloo under the hot sun, expressed indifference toward the election and local politics.

“Mi never vote and mi nuh plan fi vote. Mi nuh see nuh better inna life. Anyone in power, mi work wid dem ‘cause when mi hungry mi nuh see nobody,” she said, noting ongoing water issues and the lack of jobs.

NEGLECTED ISSUES

In a section of the constituency known as Surge, a group of men working at a site expressed sharp disapproval of Robertson, citing neglected issues such as the damaged Benjie Bridge, lack of river training for the Seaforth River, and the absence of job and training centres for youth, as well as deteriorating farm roads.

Randal Pennants, a 43-year-old welder, was adamant about voting against Robertson.

“If him did a work, him wouldn’t affi still a campaign so hard now,” he said. “Him nah ever get my vote and all my family a Labourite. Him need fi do more fi a man weh inna dis constituency so long.”

Pennants said Williams has a better plan, even though he doubts he will win.

“[Robertson] nah gwaan good,” said a young man from Stewartfield, referencing unresolved river-related issues, and long-overdue repairs needed in the cemetery.

Despite the differing views, there remains a strong sense of urgency among residents for genuine representation that benefits all, regardless of political affiliation.

Robertson, who has held the seat since 2002, has weathered several political storms, although his margins have varied. In 2020, he defeated PNP’s Marsha Francis by 2,837 votes, securing close to 60 per cent of ballots cast. However, voter turnout was only 37.8 per cent – the lowest in two decades.

By contrast, the 2016 election saw nearly 48.4 per cent turnout, with Robertson winning by a narrower margin.

This year, Williams, the former Morant Bay mayor and White Horses councillor, is aiming to unseat Robertson. While some believe he’s mounting a strong challenge, many feel the veteran MP’s long-standing and track record will be hard to overcome.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com