JLP Leader Andrew Holness say the challenge of taking the East Portland constituency for his party is not a big one for Derron Wood, the newly appointed caretaker . Acknowledging that the PNP’s candidate won the seat by over 1,200 last elections, Mr Holness said that might have been a big task for others but he said Wood was capable of cutting back that lead. The comments were made at the official opening of the East Portland Jamaica Labour Party constituency office on Thursday, March 27 at a ceremony in Port Antonio. Party officials, delegates and members of affiliates including g Portland G2K were in attendance. The office is located on West Street in Port Antonio. Cuncillor for the Fairy Hill division of the Portland Parish Council, Derron Wood will be in control of the office as he is now officially caretaker for the East Portland seat.
Wood is in charge after former caretaker Patrick Lee resigned from the position. Lee was beaten in the December 29, 2011 general election by People’s National Party candidate and now MP Lynvale Bloomfield. Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, Robert Montague said, “Councillor Wood has moved ahead to open a constituency office in the town of Port Antonio. It is significant that we have a constituency office in the town so we are signaling to everybody that the Jamaica Labour Party is right in the town on the front page and we intend to take over this town of Port Antonio.”
Councilor and caretaker, Derron Wodd said the office was set up so that the party could function effectively in East Portland. He said: “This office is for everybody, both PNP and JLP and no ‘P’. Now we have an office that you can come to lodge your complain and we will address them as best as we can.” Party leader, Andrew Holness congratulated Wood , saying he was a hard worker. Holness also said, “I know that for a very long time the People’s National Party had dominance in this seat. The last election they won it by over a twelve hundred votes. Under normal circumstances that would be a large majority but with a candidate like Derron who is committed, who is willing to do the hard work, who is willing to go house to house and hand-shake to hand-shake I know that we can overcome that majority.”
