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People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for West St. Thomas, Marsha Francis, is downplaying internal tensions after a wave of backlash followed her selection to represent the constituency.
The controversy erupted after the party’s leadership abruptly removed Yallahs High School Principal, Mark Malabver, as the previously announced candidate. His replacement with Francis sparked outrage among several party supporters, leading to leaked audio messages filled with anger and accusations of betrayal.
In one voice note circulating from a PNP WhatsApp group, a woman identifying herself as a PNP delegate criticized the party's decision, warning that snubbing Malabver could cost the party support in the upcoming election. “This decision is going to cost us big time,” she said, lashing out at the leadership’s handling of the matter.
Another member of the constituency group condemned the sudden shift and called for party unity to be restored. A different supporter went further, directly accusing PNP President Dr. Peter Phillips of betraying Malabver. The internal pressure has led some to call for Damion Crawford to be considered as an alternative candidate instead of Francis.
However, Marsha Francis is urging calm and understanding. In her response, she said it is normal for comrades to feel disappointed in the wake of major decisions, but she does not believe it represents a crisis within the constituency.
“Disappointment is a natural part of political life. What matters now is that we focus on working together to move West St. Thomas forward,” Francis stated.
Despite her remarks, some PNP members remain unconvinced and insist that Malabver's removal is a blow to party democracy in the constituency.
Our Opinion
This controversy highlights a recurring issue in Jamaican politics—party leadership making top-down decisions without adequate consultation at the grassroots level. While Marsha Francis may be attempting to downplay the fallout, the reaction from supporters suggests deeper unrest. For the PNP to remain competitive in West St. Thomas, party unity and transparency must be prioritized before resentment undermines campaign efforts.
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