The People’s National Party (PNP) seemingly resolved its thorny issue of who should be their representative for Trelawny North, with Dr. Wykeham McNeill being officially appointed as the constituency’s caretaker.

McNeill had not been the first choice that the PNP had for the constituency. Their initial candidate had been the businessman Dennis Meadows, well known and respected in the local community.

Meadows is an experienced politician in his own right, having served in the Upper House as President of the Senate. Initially a maverick among the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Meadows switched sides and joined the PNP.

Upon his transfer of allegiances, Meadows began his stint as caretaker for Trelawny North, which is currently represented by the JLP’s Tova Hamilton in parliament.

Meadows, however, was officially taken out as the caretaker for Trelawny North following statements he made during the run-up to the local government elections in February this year. As the date of the polls approached, Meadows made comments endorsing ‘chopping’ and scammers.

These quotes would go viral across the social media space, leading to major condemnation and pushback from the public.

Under intense pressure, Meadows recanted his words, apologizing publicly and claiming that he ‘misspoke’. This, however, did not prevent the PNP leadership from removing Meadows as caretaker in the final days of February.

The official position of caretaker was left vacant, though Meadows remained as the PNP constituency chairman for Trelawny North.

At the PNP’s constituent meeting on Sunday (July 25) Meadows presented and spoke out in favour of McNeill as his replacement in the role of caretaker, presenting a united front. During his speech, Meadows also took aim at the government, demanding they name the parliamentarians currently under investigation by the integrity commission.

In spite of this brave face, several members of the PNP seem to have wavering support and confidence in their new caretaker.

Wykeham McNeill is no stranger to politics, having served for six consecutive terms as the MP for Westmoreland Western, which was seen as a safe PNP seat. However, following the devastating JLP victory in the 2020 elections, McNeill was booted out of his seat by Morland Wilson.

Though Meadows publicly remains firmly behind McNeill, many of his supporters indicated that they still had hope and would prefer if Meadows was restored to his position as caretaker.

In his speech at the Trelawny North constituents meeting, McNeill thanked Meadows, promising that the disgraced politician would have an opportunity to prove himself once more when the PNP won elections and became the ruling administration.

“I promised him that when we become the next government, there will be space for him to serve,” the new caretaker stated.

Dr. McNeill continued by claiming that he had major plans for Trelawny. McNeill had previously served as the Minister of Tourism for the Portia Simpson-Miller administration from 2012 to 2016 and highlighted this experience.

The new candidate then promised that should he win the seat; he would move to further develop this crucial field in the parish.

“When I was minister of tourism, I identified $1 billion for tourism development in Trelawny. That work is not completed and when I become your member of parliament and minister of tourism, I will pick up from where I left off,” McNeill said.