PM rallies support in St Thomas
By Matthew Falloon, Staff Reporter

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on the campaign trail with candidate for West St Catherine, Jennifer Edwards. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

THE PEOPLE'S National Party (PNP) cruised across St. Thomas on Monday rallying support for the election campaign and preaching peace to the often overwhelming crowds.

From Yallahs to Port Morant, scores of cars joined the orange-coloured convoy as it snaked through the parish while ecstatic crowds punched the air with their fist shouting "power" at the roadside.

Mr. Patterson dished out orange caps and flags to eager fans. One woman sprinted, arms spread out with fist clenched to catch a glimpse of the PNP leader. Small pockets of JLP supporters stood defiant extending the 'V' sign at various points, hinting that St. Thomas may yet prove a political battleground come October 16.

Nonetheless, Morant Bay and Port Morant greeted the motorcade with much enthusiasm. "I don't have any doubt what the outcome of the general election will be," Mr. Patterson told the throng, after a brief walkabout in a netball court where he had danced with and greeted supporters. "I don't believe it is necessary for me to tell you that St. Thomas East has progressed more between 1993 and the present time than in all the previous times when it was under JLP management," he continued to cheers. "Nobody can say like they used to say that St. Thomas is like the tail of a cow, St. Thomas is at the front."

Mr. Patterson then turned to urging tolerance and control from his exuberant supporters.

"There is just one thing I have to stress," he said. "Some people when they get desperate, they get violent. We have nothing to gain from violence. We have everything to gain from peace."