PNP’s Big Boost? - Vybz Kartel’s stunning appearance at party’s conference ignites speculation

Vybz Kartel's surprise appearance at the People's National Party (PNP) annual conference yesterday may have given a boost to Dr Alfred Dawes in his quest to retake St Catherine South East for the party.

St Catherine South East, which is one of the three Portmore seats, has traditionally favoured the party but it swung dramatically for the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Robert Miller in the 2020 general election. But with the 'Worl Boss' endorsing the PNP, political pundits have been speculating about the impact on the party's chances.

Kartel said he attended the conference to "represent for our people dem at this time, politically". He also said that the vibes at the conference was nice, and he said he is bothered by the "same issues" that has mobilised throngs of people to come out in support of the PNP.

Meanwhile, Dawes, when asked if Kartel's attendance signified an endorsement for his candidacy, said: "I suspect he will be voting for me in the next election, and that's the most I have to say about that," he said with a chuckle.

Kartel's Gaza nation's home base is in Waterford, a strong PNP area in St Catherine South East. Yesterday, the dancehall artiste, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, took to the stage at the PNP's 86th annual conference, much to the delight of the crowd inside the National Arena, whose screams were deafening in response.

"For this conference, the message I want to send is that we are fighting for the future of this country," said Isat Buchanan, the lawyer who successful led Kartel's fight to have his 2012 murder conviction overturned.

"I just want to tell everybody that everything we do is guided by God and time. And that time is now," Buchanan said.

A former chairman of the PNP's human rights commission, Buchanan said PNP President Mark Golding has their "150 per cent" support.

Meanwhile, Dawes was upbeat about the conference's turnout, which saw thousands of energised PNP supporters in attendance.

"The energy is fantastic," he said. "I think the comrades are really motivated now, and we are getting to the point where we're just itching for them to call the elections because we know we're going to take it home."