( L - R ) Buchanan, Golding

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) believes the West Portland by-election next Monday could be the prelude to a general election.

With three other Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-controlled seats - North West Clarendon, North East St Catherine and North East St Ann - also subject to dual-citizenship court battles, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller believes a West Portland victory would spell the beginning of the end for the Golding administration.

"After we win this one, we are going after the other three," declared former PNP General Secretary Danny Buchanan last week.

"When we accomplish this mission, the PNP will go back to managing the affairs of the country. We will be marching all the way back to Jamaica House."

Step aside

Dr Peter Phillips, a former deputy leader, agreed.

"If you can't run a government, then step aside and let somebody who can handle it take charge," he added.

Realising the stakes, the hierarchies of both parties have basically set up shop within the constituency, where political rallies and spot meetings have become the norm.

A confident Vaz said the PNP had abandoned the constituency fol-lowing its 2007 loss and was now desperately trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the voters.

"What the PNP failed to do in 18 years, I have done in 18 months. I have given the people a higher quality of life. My performance as MP for the past 18 months can stand up to any scrutiny and the people can attest to this."

PNP candidate Kenneth Rowe, however, believes the claims of Vaz being a "performer" were overblown.

"The North Coast Highway and a lot of these community roads were built by the PNP," he said.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said he was not worried about the PNP's attempts to sway voters. "There is an old saying that I happen to believe in strongly: 'You take care of the people, the people will take care of you'."

The JLP currently holds a 31-28 majority in the 60-seat Lower House.