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Wheatley given thumbs up to run in new constituency

Published:Monday | July 11, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Mayor of Spanish Town Dr Andrew Wheatley is congratulated by Jamaica Labour Party supporters after being announced as the victor in the run-off for candidacy for the newly formed South Central St Catherine constituency at the Horizon Park Primary School in the parish. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) newest candidate for the next general election is Spanish Town Mayor Dr Andrew Wheatley.

Wheatley, polling 306 of 345 delegate votes, yesterday defeated Dr Sandra Nesbeth (28 votes) and Howard Charvis (11 votes) to become the party's candidate for the newly created South Central St Catherine constituency. The new seat is being formed through changes to the boundaries of South West St Catherine, represented by Everald Warmington, and Central St Catherine, represented by his JLP colleague Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.

"My mandate going forward is to continue to build on the work of those whose boundaries have been cut to build this constituency," Wheatley, the current councillor for the Naggo Head division in the St Catherine Parish Council, declared after his victory.

"It is my intention to help and develop the infrastructure and help to make life better for the people we serve," he continued.

JLP General Secretary Aundré Franklin, who oversaw the election, said 77 per cent of delegates turned out for the vote.

The next general election is constitutionally due in 2012.