AN INTENSE contest is taking shape in North West Manchester where three aspirants with strong political antecedents in the People's National Party (PNP) have thrown their hats in the ring to run on the party's ticket in the next general election.

Involved in the matchup are Mikael Phillips, son of Dr Peter Phillips; trade union veteran Vincent Morrison and Pat Crawford, who is known through his association with well-known PNP activitist Kenneth Black.

Dean Peart, the man who has won the constituency for the PNP in five consecutive elections since February 1989, has decided to call it a day.

Working amid upheaval

The seat is one the PNP needs to hold on to as it has traditionally performed well in the constituency.

The PNP Secretariat has set July 19 for the run-off.

All three contenders say they have been doing the groundwork in the constituency, in the midst of raging upheavals in the party.

"I am seeking to continue the political traditions of (my family) in Manchester," Phillips, 37, who was defeated in East Rural St Andrew in the 2007 general election, told The Gleaner. "My great grandfather was councillor for the Bellefield division in neighbouring Central Manchester."

He said he hoped to build on the achievements of the current member of parliament in putting in some of the basic infrastructure. Phillips noted that the parish has one of the better road networks and pledged to place much emphasis on early childhood education.

Hopes to do better

Morrison, 59, who is president of the PNP-affiliated National Workers' Union, hopes to fare better than his colleague, Granville Valentine, who lost out to the Jamaica Labour Party's Michael Stern in the recent by-election in North East St Catherine.

"I have a lot of support in there. I have done a lot of political work in the constituency over the years," Morrison told The Gleaner. "I have provided gainful employment and enjoy the support of both Comrades and Labourites as I was born in the constituency, went to Mile Gully Primary School and currently serve as a member of the board of the Mile Gully High School."

With the bauxite sector under threat, Morrison is of the view that the area is primed for ecotourism projects to create economic activities for the people of the community. "I will be pushing for North West Manchester to become a retirement and health-tourism area; the climate is ideal."

Crawford, 54, who was also born in North West Manchester, said he wants to improve the economic and social conditions of the people of the constituency.

"I want to provide more opportunity through skills training," he declared.

Applauding the accomplishments of the outgoing MP, Crawford cited Peart's success at setting up community centres throughout the constituency. "I want to bring the Heart Trust/NTA into North West Manchester by utilising these community centres."

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com