BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LAST night (Feb. 19), Deputy Chairman of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), 30-year-old Jonel Powell was declared the political party’s new candidate for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) who would contest the next General Elections in St. Kitts-Nevis.
The ‘toss up’ was between Powell and the party’s Chairman, Selwyn ‘Rusty’ Liburd.
The announcement was made during a special meeting of the Central Basseterre Branch at PAM Headquarters on Lockhart Street, Basseterre.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Powell said, “I feel honoured to have been selected. What I wanted I have achieved it.”
He is mindful however that his selection as a PAM candidate is “not victory as yet” and is asking the electorate to take note of such.
Asked about his interest in politics, Powell said, “Like I always tell people, I was born into politics”, adding that his late uncle, Billy Herbert, was once the party’s Chairman.
He believes that his interest in politics is “natural” because of his family’s affiliation in the field of politics.
Asked how confident he is of winning the seat, the young Attorney-at-Law admitted that “it won’t be easy”, but appeared sure in his can-do-it ability “together with the feeling of the people on the ground”.
He encouraged people to “vote on conscience and take a look at the poor levels of management thrust upon us under the leadership of Dr. Denzil Douglas”.
Powell’s areas of concern include the high cost of living and high rate of unemployment.
He appealed to the electorate to “look into these things and take them into consideration, and it will make your decision much easier”.
This media house also spoke with Powell's mother, Alicia ‘Al’ Powell.
“As a mother, I have great concern. Jonel’s father and I have brought him up to be decent and have integrity and we can only hope and pray to God. If he continues in this manner he shall do great not only for Central Basseterre but for the country as a whole.”
Al says she gives her son her “utmost support”.
“He has great ideas. He is a new brand of politics,” she declared.
She also spoke about her son’s vision in which he would like to see the people of McKnight, the place where he grew up, “to achieve what they put their minds to”.
Powell’s father, Franchette 'Miller' Powell, echoed similar sentiments and cautioned his son about the importance of honesty.
“He has a lot of work to do. All I can advise him is to be honest and upfront with people. Do not promise what he can’t deliver. As a politician, that is the worst thing you can do in St. Kitts.
Franchette expressed the confidence that his son has the ability to “pull” and “convince” the support of other young people in the upcoming General Elections and also to influence young people to become interested in politics.
In response to his party’s selection of Powell instead of Liburd as the candidate for Constituency Number Two, PAM’s Leader Shawn Richards informed that both men were interviewed last year by a three-man committee and it was recommended that “both persons be put forward”.
Additionally, he revealed that the choice was made from “scientific evidence” garnered from surveys done in the constituency, which asked residents to indicate who they believe is “best” to be their area representative.
Questioned how he feels about Powell’s chances in the General Elections, Richards said, “As a 30-year young man, I am firmly of the view that Jonel is well-poised to capture the Central Basseterre seat. I know Jonel has the necessary traits to become the next representative.”
Richards cited that Powell is often seen socialising with people, while recalling that he was just 31 years old when he won his seat in Constituency Five in 2004.
He also praised Powell for having the “energy, zest and the zeal as well as everything else necessary to win in Central Basseterre”.
Last night’s announcement was posted on PAM’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PAM4CHANGE?ref=ts&fref=ts.
