‘Labour til I die’ - Double amputee pledges support to JLP

"I would rather die before I vote for PNP." Those are the words of 72-year-old double amputee, Harold Masters.

The rockstone Labourite was among the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters who turned up at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sydenham, St Catherine to cheer on Dr Andrew Wheatley's campaign for a third term as member of parliament for St Catherine South Central.

"JLP write on mi body. Mi love JLP, and out of all who come, mi love da one here," he said in reference to Dr Wheatley.

St Catherine South Central was one of the three new constituencies created in 2007. It is made up of strong JLP areas such as Homestead, Sydenham and Horizon Park, and has been solidly behind Dr Wheatley. Masters credited him with providing the constituency with good infrastructure, such as road and water. "... Sometimes all money, too. Mi couldn't take my vote give PNP." Masters, who lost his legs due to complications of diabetes, said he will be among the first to vote on election day, September 3. "From me reach the age whe mi can vote, mi a vote JLP. From mi born mi love work fi myself, and that is what this party is all about -- independence," he said.

Kurt Matthews is the People's National Party's candidate in the seat, and he is convinced that he can spring an upset.

"We have been working and working, because when my party sent me here, they said I should deliver the constituency and Spanish Town. I am here to give the people good representation," he said. Masters, however, is not keen on seeing any colour, aside from green, as the dominant feature of the constituency. The extent of his support for the JLP was on full show when, during the interview with THE STAR, he paused to reprimand a PNP supporter who shouted "power" in his direction.

"Gwey from yah suh, bout yuh a shout power! Instead a power you ah guh get flour. Move from yah suh, mi a Labourite," Masters said.