‘Daddy Duties’: Pearnel Charles supports 'under pressure' daughter in St Thomas Eastern election

Noting that his daughter, Dr Michelle Charles, is facing mounting pressure to retain St Thomas Eastern for the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), retired parliamentarian Pearnel Charles Snr was on daddy duties as he was out today to help her secure the seat.

Charles, who was recently spotted in Port Morant among a group of JLP supporters, admitted he was there to support his daughter, noting that she is under significantly more pressure than his son, Pearnel Charles Jr, who is contesting the South East Clarendon seat.

"She's facing more pressure than Pearnel," he said.

But, he quickly added, "Whatever it is, we will survive."

Dr Michelle Charles, who unseated the People's National Party's (PNP) Dr Fenton Ferguson in the last election, ended his six-term run, is now locked in a fierce battle with former JLP councillor and current Morant Bay Division representative and People's National Party candidate, Yvonne Rosemary Shaw.

Reports from constituents suggest growing support for Shaw, including from some JLP members who have shifted allegiance, citing dissatisfaction with Charles' performance and conduct.

Supporters of Shaw describe her as a "people person" with a long track record of service.

Shaw is being viewed by many as the more connected and accessible candidate.

Pearnel Charles Snr acknowledged the strong challenge his daughter is facing, noting that she only won the seat by a margin of just over 300 votes in the last election.

The retired politician said Shaw has been in political representative for over 20 years, and that he was the one who trained her.

He also stated that he had helped her become a councillor and later mayor years ago when he was an MP in the constituency.

When asked if he believes his daughter will emerge victorious, he replied, "I hope."

In the meantime, the veteran politician admitted he is not entirely pleased that his children have chosen politics as their career paths.

"I have a daughter and a son who are in politics. If you ask if I am happy, I will tell you I am not very happy," he said.

Describing his son Pearnel Charles Jr as a "top-notch attorney" and his daughter as a "doctor of dental surgery," he lamented that both had placed their professional careers on the back burner to pursue politics.

"I am happy that they have sought to follow in my footsteps and are helping others get a better life," he said.

"However, they are under great strain. Their professions would have been 10 times easier. They would've earned 10 times more and could have helped ten times more people."

- Tanesha Mundle

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