Montague Facing Tough Political Battle in West St Mary

A massive political struggle is shaping up in Western St. Mary, where the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, chairman, Robert ‘Bobby’ Montague, is trying to fend off a strong challenge from the People’s National Party’s, PNP, Omar Woodbine.

When our news centre visited the constituency on Wednesday, the political battle lines were clear, with constituents telling us Bobby Montague may be facing the race of his life.

Our news centre visited three of the five divisions across Western St. Mary. We canvassed views in Oracabessa, Gayle and Boscobel.

As we moved through the communities, the people were quick to talk. There was a consistent refrain; they say they are only now seeing their Member of Parliament Bobby Montague.

For some, time has run out for the JLP chairman. One woman invited our news centre into her yard. She said she’s had enough.

Bobby Montague is defending a majority of 3,382. But alarm bells started ringing following the 2024 local government elections.

When the dust settled, three of the five divisions in the constituency fell to the opposition PNP.

The alarms reached fever pitch when the recent Nationwide/Bluedot polls showed Montague trailing Woodbine by a massive 19 points in the weathervane seat.

One constituent thinks he knows why. For him, the JLP chairman deserves a failing grade as MP. When he heard we were in the area, he called in to share his views.

Montague has known defeat in Western St. Mary.

He was narrowly booted in 2011 by the PNP’s Jolyan Silvera. Silvera managed to open up a 227 majority over Bobby. Montague would rebound in 2016, bagging more than 11,000 votes, and opening up a majority of 3,476.

A shopkeeper says despite the discontent on the ground, she thinks the JLP chairman could do it again. She says he’s a hard worker.

Wednesday’s meeting to honour party workers was one of Montague’s efforts to mend fences and hold on to the traditional swing seat. It’s to be seen if it will be enough.

Meanwhile, former mayor of Port Maria, the JLP’s Richard Creary, says Montague will defy the polls and Woodbine.

Creary made the comment while addressing party workers at an awards function in the constituency on Wednesday.

Creary, who’s councillor for the Richmond division in South East St. Mary, says Montague is a solid organiser. He’s warning Labourites not to sell out their parish and their country.

Richard Creary, former mayor of Port Maria.