Highway, urban centre projects boost JLP’s popularity in St Thomas

While many St Thomas residents say they are voting based on issues affecting their communities, a significant number point to the broader infrastructure works carried out in the parish as a key influence in their decision to support the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

From the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project to the Morant Bay Urban Centre, visible development is reshaping the political conversation across both St Thomas Eastern and St Thomas Western.

Dr Michelle Charles, who broke the People’s National Party’s (PNP) six-term hold in St Thomas Eastern in 2020, is campaigning for a second term on the JLP’s record of infrastructure investment. She points to the highway project, the SPARK Programme to repair roads, and the emerging Morant Bay town centre as proof of development under her watch.

‘Dem mash up St Thomas’

Fabian, a 34-year-old shopkeeper in Morant Bay, is among those backing Charles for a second term.

“Under the PNP administration, dem mash up St Thomas. We nuh need fi see Ms Shaw or Markie British; dem nuh have no solid plans,” he said, pointing to the creation of jobs in the parish, the development of the South Coast Highway, and the new urban centre.

Agreeing with that sentiment was Patricia, a 29-year-old entrepreneur who was raised in a PNP household but indicated that she could not turn a blind eye to the progress in St Thomas.

“Mi suffer coming up and me nuh see di benefit wey mi granny get, so mi say mi affi vote fi progress,” she said.

In St Thomas Western, long-time MP James Robertson is seeking a sixth term in office. First elected in 2002, Robertson remains a popular figure in many parts of the constituency and is credited with improvements to roads, Wi-Fi access in Cedar Valley, and support for small businesses.

“Mi no have nuttin bad fi say. Wi get weh wi waa – good road – and from mi live inna St Thomas fi 27 year a di best a it dis,” said contractor and chef Markland James, who says his support for the party is also based on the development happening across the parish.

Even PNP supporters acknowledge Robertson and the Government’s impact in the parish.

“Mi as a PNP, mi see weh him a do,” said 60-year-old farmer El Perro. “Mi a vote fi him. Government doing a good job, seeing it a lot in St Thomas, and the urban centre a gwaan gud, it going [to] bring in lots of job.”

Andrea Fitzgerald, a 45-year-old caregiver, expressed a similar sentiment.

“I appreciate the infrastructural work, it’s a good look for St Thomas; wey always deh behind,” she said.

Despite the significant infrastructure gains, voters across constituencies are calling for more direct engagement, repairs to farm roads, job creation, and policies that support youth and community life – beyond highways and buildings.

Still, for many, the physical transformation of the parish is enough to give the governing party another term.

As one woman said, “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.”

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com