'Seven PNP don’t bruck one a di Vaz dem yet', declares Portland West MP
Published:Monday | July 28, 2025 | 3:46 PM
Portland West Member of Parliament, Daryl Vaz, has reiterated that he and his wife, Ann-Marie, who is the MP for Portland East, will hold on to their seats for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the upcoming general elections, arguing that the efforts of the People’s National Party (PNP) candidates will be a waste of time.
Vaz, who is also a Government Minister, expressed confidence in the JLP's chances of victory while addressing a JLP gospel concert held in his constituency on Sunday night.
He took jabs at the PNP's caretaker for Portland East, attorney Isat Buchanan, arguing that he is no match.
“[Him come] with all kind a lyrics about which Vaz (vase) him a go bruck. Well, seven PNP don’t bruck one a di Vaz dem yet. And these two won’t bruck any Vaz, because dem yah Vaz make outta metal and steel," he told JLP supporters.
"In East and West Portland, we have beaten seven candidates and none of them have come back a second time," Vaz added.
He pointed to his past election victories to support his case.
He highlighted that in 2007 he first won on a JLP ticket after defeating attorney Abe Dabdoub, and that almost two years later he had to contest a by-election against Kenneth Rowe due to his dual citizenship issue, which he also won.
He noted that he went on to defeat other PNP candidates, including Rohan Quest in 2011, Vernon Hemmings in 2016, and the late Valrie Neita Robertson in 2020.
Additionally, Vaz reminded party supporters that his wife Ann-Marie defeated arguably the most popular PNP candidate at the time, Damion Crawford, in East Portland in a hotly contested by-election following the tragic killing of the incumbent, Dr Linvale Bloomfield, in 2019.
Ann-Marie went on to defeat Bishop Percel Jackson in the 2020 general election.
- Gareth Davis Snr
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