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I am originally from the Vermont Village and have resided in South Leeward for the past 20 years. South Leeward has always been an interesting constituency with interesting caretakers.

The most recent of the lot is Jomo Thomas. Mr. Thomas has been a man of the people for many years, I first got to know of him back in the days when he was in the Progressive Movement alongside men like the late Oscar Allen.

In 2015, when Jomo was selected as the candidate to represent the ULP party I was quite confused by his decision to run on a ULP ticket after so many years of criticizing the party and its leader.

I observed what was at first, a weak campaign and many disgruntled ULP supporters because Jomo was selected. However, as time progressed and he became more acquainted with the people of South Leeward a sense of comfort and hope swept the constituency. Like myself, the people thought that South Leeward would now have a voice.

The Women’s Arm was headed by Leddy, a strong devoted Labour woman. His council consists of Labour warriors such as Ann Jones, David Williams, Neva Cordice and others but the vibrancy and zeal came from the youth arm that was headed by an intelligent beautiful and very captivating young lady Sia Creese.

Sia with her raw charismatic attitude became the voice and face of Jomo’s campaign, Her online campaign was unmatched and her defense and support system was unique and strong.

Despite all the hard work and efforts that were placed in South Leeward, Jomo was unable to secure a win for the seat. Nevertheless, he did great and came very close to defeating ”Nature”.

On the night of the election, I and many others gathered at the constituency office to celebrate the victory of the ULP. Then Jomo came out and thanked everyone for their support and promised the people of the South Leeward that he would stand by our sides and he will not ”disappoint”.

The constituency looked forward to the continued interaction with Jomo but to our surprise that never happened.

It is now 2019 and we are coming closer to the next general election. We are yet to know who would be representing the people of South Leeward.

Not only has Jomo disappointed us but he has abandoned us. South Leeward has struggled for years with the constant neglect and Mr. Thomas is no better.

   He became consumed with his hatred for the Prime Minister. What used to be social commentary became bitter commentary and what is being passed off as a concern for the people of St.Vincent are now jabs at the political party that gave Jomo the opportunity to be the voice of South Leeward. I express my deepest regret for supporting Mr. Thomas.

He is not the man we the people thought he was. The humble Jomo Thomas seems to be a façade. One that was carried for years and to mask who he is. The arrogance that is displayed in the House of Parliament is disturbing and disgusting. The way men behave when given power speaks volumes of who they are in private.

My cry to the ULP and the Prime Minister is to be more mindful when selecting candidates. Select persons who are willing to give of themselves whether they win or not. Not men or women who are driven by their ego and narrow sense of intelligence and achievement or persons who think they are gifts to Vincentians.

I express once again my deep disappointment in Jomo and hope he has no intention of contesting in the upcoming general election or contest any other election with any other party or independently. We, the people do not want or desire such men to govern our country.

Marcia Charles