Dr Waul reflects on political ascent, challenges, struggles

In a recent interview on The Solutions podcast, produced by Old Harbour News, Dr. Waul reflected on stepping into the role following the sudden death of former chairman Rudyard ‘Kippy’ Mears in 2019. 

“To be frank I was not ready,” he said. “It was not something I thought about really because I knew that this job is something that is very much involved really, you have to dedicate basically your entire time to it. I went in and gave all and basically everything else in my life suffered because that’s the personality that I have… it’s all or nothing.”

Speaking of the challenges of representational politics the former Marlie Mount Primary and St Jago High alumnus said he felt obligated to the calls of the people who wanted him to lead them though he was not as nuanced. 

“So, I wasn’t ready at the time but then came the cries again from people within the PNP political organization of southwest St Catherine and said you have to step up and play a bigger role and become the next chairman of the constituency,” the Old Harbour Bay native said.

A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Waul has contested the last two general elections in the constituency but was unable to unseat the Jamaica Labour Party’s Everald Warmington, who has been the member of parliament for 24 years. 

However, between those defeats, Dr. Waul secured a local government victory in 2024, winning the Old Harbour South Division from the JLP’s Lloyd Grant. 

Reflecting on his early reluctance, Dr. Waul explained that calls from within the PNP’s St Catherine South Western organization compelled him to accept the chairmanship. 

Despite two electoral losses at the parliamentary level, Dr. Waul remains resolute. 

“There have been other challenges in my life where I’ve failed more than twice and still overcome,” he told podcast host Andrew Hancel, founder and editor of Old Harbour News Media. “This isn’t new to me.” 

He acknowledged the difficulty of the seat but said he has tried to position himself for the “best possible contest,” including contesting local government elections to regain ground “piece by piece.” 

Dr. Waul admitted that losing the 2020 general election was particularly tough, especially with the PNP losing nationally. 

“Having lost a second time, it was very tough. And what made it tougher was that the party lost also.” 

The full interview is available on the Old Harbour News YouTube channel.