#JAVOTES2024 | Some Wait-a-bit, Trelawny residents switch political sides after alleged 'diss' from JLP councillor

Disgruntled former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters in the Allside community in Wait-a-bit, Trelawny today pulled a dramatic about-turn in their political allegiance, discarding their green outfits while protesting alleged disrespect from Desmond Smith, the JLP's councillor candidate for Trelawny Southern's Lorrimers division.

The residents gathered by the roadside dressed in orange or white outfits and defiantly waved orange flags in newly-minted support of the People's National Party (PNP), only a few minutes' drive from the Wait-a-bit Primary All-Age School where mostly JLP supporters were gathered for today's ongoing local government election.

Kevin Barnett, one of the dissenting residents, told The Gleaner that the lack of water and employment opportunities for farmers have exacerbated the issue.

"The MP [former Member of Parliament Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert] and the councillor nah do anything for we in this part of Trelawny, and we a farm worker. Is election time, and we can't get a fork from our MP who a run how much term, our councillor doing how much term, plus our water, what we come see as youths lock down," an aggrieved Barnett said.

Smith is contesting the Lorrimers division in Trelawny Southern against the PNP's Gregory Clarke.

- Christopher Thomas

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