I SHALL RETURN – Pinnock says money caused him to resign as JLP rep

I SHALL RETURN – Pinnock says money caused him to resign as JLP rep

March 28, 2019 0 By Horace Mills

While not ruling out a possible return to competitive politics, Caswell Pinnock said he recently resigned as Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for Clarendon Northern because he already expended the funds set aside for his political pursuits.

“I am really not a rich man, and so I invested all I had, and my personal money could have only gone for one term,” he told The Beacon in an exclusive interview.

Pinnock added: “I didn’t see the monetary investment coming for another term. It costs a whole lot to run an election campaign. There are the formal fees, plus the informal ones… The informal fees are even greater than the formal fees. Once people see you as their political representative, you are going to be taxed. I could not really afford that, and I am not sure if the party was willing to support me, and so I walked.”

Pinnock resigned after losing to Horace Dalley of the People’s National Party in the 2016 general election.

In what was his maiden attempt to secure the marginal parliamentary seat, Pinnock polled 6,317 votes (or 46.9 percent), compared to Dalley’s 7,049 votes. Pinnock, last year, was replaced formally by Dwight Sibblies.

He made it clear that, although he intends to represent the JLP whenever a vacancy arises, Sibblies currently has his full support.

“If I see an opening, I am ready. Right now, I am waiting in the wings; there is no other way to say it besides saying I am waiting in the wings, hoping for an opening… I was the one who passed on the baton to the person who is now the caretaker, and I did so truly and with no reservation,” Pinnock said while noting that he is still a staunch supporter of the JLP.

“As soon as my resources and the support I need are back together – I am just waiting in the wings to go back again for the Jamaica Labour Party.”

Pinnock further told The Beacon that he still has big plans for Clarendon Northern, which include major communities such as Kellits and Croft’s Hill.

He is touting the establishment of a major storage facility for mangoes, vegetables, and other produce – especially those that are seasonal.

“I don’t have a passion for politics; I have a passion really for policies in terms of moving North Clarendon forward,” Pinnock posited.

He further said: “I really had a mandate for North Clarendon which would have included a police post in Kellits, fire station in Kellits, upgraded clinic with a resident doctor and an ambulance, [and] a bamboo industry because we have a great amount of bamboo here.”

By Horace Mills, Journalist


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