PNP’s Natalie Ho takes swipe at ‘lazy’ Mark O’Connor

Such aspirations, however, have been met with consternation by some constituents especially those amongst the uncommitted who are dissatisfied with the low level of political representation over the years. 

But she chided apathetic voters in the division for comparing her with incumbent councillor Mark O’Connor of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). O’Connor has been the elected councillor since 2007 but faces heavy criticism for being too laissez-faire and out of touch with the people in the division.

Speaking at Sunday’s PNP St Catherine South Western Church Pen Divisional Conference, Ho said: “When you si mi walking in the division don't compare me to Mark O'Connor; for mi no lazy. We are not the same. I am a strong Comrade.

“Don't tell me all a wi a di same ting. We are not the same.

“We no fraid a nobody and we are going to take back this seat.  We are going to take back the Church Pen Division.”

Ho’s utterances triggered a raucous reaction from a partisan crowd of supporters inside the Cool Breeze Entertainment Complex in the presence of party leader Mark Golding, constituency chairman Dr Kurt Waul and other political aspirants.

In a presentation that lasted more than 15 minutes, the Church Pen native, who was born and raised in Vietnam Lane, outlined her vision for Jamaica. Point by point, the PNP’s standard bearer for the division said she will work to build a Jamaica that is economically strong, possess robust health and education infrastructures. She further stated her commitment to help reduce crime through strategic partnership with citizens and other key stakeholders, while building social pillars that will preserve the environment for future generations.

“We will invest in skills training programmes, aligning our education with the needs of the job market by equipping our workforce with the relevant skills that will ensure that Jamaicans are competitive in the global economy,” she said to nods of approval from Golding sitting behind her.

Since her decision to enter representational politics more than a year ago, Ho has faced criticism due to the fact that she spends most of her time living and working in the United States of America. Whilst this is permissible under Jamaican law at the local government level, Ho responded by saying “I lived two minutes from here. I am coming back to my country. My feet may have left the soil but my love and loyalty have always been with the country of my birth”.

“Very few people who leave Jamaica will ever come back. They will not look at you. I am here not to be served but to serve you,” she added before lamenting the poor state of the roads in the division which she says is indicative that “time come” for a change in leadership.

The strong show of support for Ho suggests that the PNP has found a formidable candidate capable of toppling O’Connor, who is bidding for a fourth straight term.

But Ho warns Comrades that they need to maintain the momentum and present level of unity for whenever the elections are called.

“Your vote is not simply a mark on the ballot,” she said. “Your vote is a symbol of trust that I will uphold and that we will build a Jamaica that we can be proud of and that leaves no one behind.”