‘I’ve grown past the allegation’
George Wright mum on JLP return but looks forward to second term
by Rochelle Clayton - Staff Reporter · The GleanerDeclaring that he has moved beyond the allegation that saw him resigning from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over three years ago, Westmoreland Central Member of Parliament (MP) George Wright is gearing up for the upcoming general election.
However, when The Sunday Gleaner asked if he plans to rejoin the JLP or run as an independent candidate, Wright declined to comment.
While the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has announced that former Westmoreland Central MP Dwayne Vaz will be running again, the JLP has yet to reveal its candidate.
“Well, I can’t respond to that one now. I am the elected official now, and I will continue to work until the people say my time is up,” Wright said in a recent interview.
While Wright remained tight-lipped on his political alignment, he said he intends to contest the Westmoreland Central seat during the upcoming election.
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“I will stay with the people, and once you stay with the people, they will stay with you,” he shared.
Wright, who was elected in the 2020 general election on the JLP’s ticket, became an independent MP less than a year later when allegations surfaced that he could be the man seen physically assaulting a woman in a video. It was further alleged that the woman captured in the video was his long-time partner, Taneisha Singh.
Additionally, it is understood that both Wright and Singh reported a confrontation on April 6, 2021, that coincided with the video, which went viral days later. However, the investigation concluded, as they decided not to press charges and the police said the identities of the people could not be determined.
Meanwhile, Wright has never denied or confirmed his involvement in the incident.
Since he resigned from the party, Wright has married Singh and serves as Jamaica’s only independent MP.
“You are asking a question of allegation. The people see me as their hard-working elected official and they treat me as such. I have grown past that allegation,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
He added that he has been focusing on improving the lives of his constituents.
According to him, the road networks in Westmoreland Central have seen vast improvements since he became the political representative four years ago.
His major road rehabilitation project includes the $27.7-million Shrewsbury to Logwood road, Gooden River to Glasgow road, completed at $60 million; and the $43-million Welcome road network.
Additionally, Wright told The Sunday Gleaner that he has also been working to improve the infrastructure in his constituency
“I have [installed] a lot of new drains to take away some of the flooding that has been causing havoc, especially with what is taking place right now across the constituency. We have [built] multiple new drains in Shrewsbury, Logwood and another community, and I continue to lobby for more new drains in the constituency,” he said.
BUILDING COMMUNITY SPIRIT
He also emphasised the importance of sports in fostering community spirit.
“I have [partnered] with several people who continue to put on their leagues. I have been there with them to ensure that our youngsters [are] engaged in sports. One of the things is that when you are elected, the people need to know their elected officials, and what nobody can take away from me is that I have been there through thick and thin with them,” Wright told The Sunday Gleaner.
In fact, Wright said that he has a new literacy programme, which is geared at assisting youth with reading and basic literacy.
“It is a literacy programme for those who [need] help to get them marketable in the workforce. I have seen a lot of hard-working young men, but they have issues, which is why I am embarking on a literacy programme that will help them to improve. When [they] are not able to communicate or respond well, … then they will fall victim to crime,” said Wright.
Additionally, Wright expressed a desire to establish a land regularisation programme for constituents living in informal settlements. He sees this initiative as a key part of his legacy in Westmoreland Central.
“There are several areas in Central Westmoreland that people would call squatter lands. I call them informal settlements and I would love to see the Government step in to ensure that we get these lands regularised, so that the people can have a piece of land to call their own. This is one area that I want to take on as my legacy [project] for the people of Westmoreland Central,” he said.