A JLP supporter hugs a PNP supporter in a show of unity on Nomination Day, September 30.

WESTERN BUREAU:
AS THE countdown to the upcoming General Elections intensifies some persons in western Jamaica are reportedly raking in big bucks in a cleverly devised scheme to hijack the process and transform it into a moneymaking enterprise.

Investigations by The Gleaner has revealed that in the marginal seats in Western Jamaica, especially in St. James, persons are being paid as much a $1,000 per day to wear the party's promotional T-shirts. The wearing of a hat and the carrying of flag, reportedly attracts a daily fee of $500.

"Most a de youth dem yu see in socialists and 'labourites' T-shirts dancing together in the streets are neither JLP or PNP," said Carlene Smith, of Rose Heights, in Montego Bay. "Me out there and me no have no vote and nuff a mi friend them out there no have no vote neither."

Capitalising on motorcades and colourful mass meetings, these individuals, mostly young adults, have made themselves into human billboards, donning party T-shirts, hats and in a few instances, brassieres, all for a fee.

"Whether 'power' or 'shower', I will wear any T-shirt as long as mi get some money fe do it," said Carl Panton, a St. James man, who claims that he has been hitting the campaign trail with both the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). "Dem (the politicians) a ginal we for a long time so why we caa ginal dem to."

On Nomination Day, a Gleaner reporter observed a classic case of a political impostor playing the two sides in Southern St. James. A man, who was quite prominent among the flag-waving supporters cheering on the PNP's Derrick Kellier, was noticed switching from the orange to the JLP's green T-shirt to coincide with the arrival of the JLP candidate Karl Rhoden. While most impostors will swear that they are being paid to wear party colours, officials of both the JLP and PNP are denying that they are making payments to anyone. In fact, both parties were quite dismissive of the suggestion, claiming they have no need to buy support. "Shame on you my brother, we have too many willing comrades out there to be paying people to wear PNP T-shirts and hats," said businessman Errol Lamey, a member of the campaign team for Montego Bay's Mayor, Councillor Hugh Solomon. "On the campaign trail you will occasionally buy comrades drinks and food but that has nothing to do with buying support."

However, one veteran JLP supporter in the Mt. Salem area of Montego Bay is up in arms against the impostors. He claims that they are making life difficult for bona fide 'labourites' like himself. Last Sunday, he flatly refused to travel to the party's mass rally at Half-Way Tree, in Kingston, claiming that some of the persons boarding the buses were not genuine 'labourites'.

"Some a dem only get pay fe wear the T-shirts and dem a de first one dem who run gah pack up de bus dem," said the elderly man, who adamantly refused to make the trip to Kingston despite the subtle persuasion of his friends. "I would really love to hear me leader speak tonight but me nah travel so far with so much PNP inna 'labourite' T-shirts."

Despite the obvious annoyance of those who feel that the political impostors are doing more harm that good, those involved in the process are having the time of their lives. Some have even resorted to recruiting their friends to join in what they see as, "a way to eat a food".