JLP's Ian Ives eyes strong polling after uniting Manchester Southern supporters

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for Manchester Southern, Ian Ives, says he has spent the last few months uniting supporters in the constituency and is expecting a strong showing at the polls today.

"We are well united, and we are 100 per cent ready for the election," he said shortly after casting his vote at New Forest High School in the constituency this morning.

Ives was selected to represent the constituency in March after an internal poll ousted incumbent Member of Parliament Robert Chin, whose performance had left many party supporters dissatisfied.

But Ives, an engineer by profession, does not foresee Chin's poor track record having any impact on his chances of defeating former Cabinet minister Peter Bunting.

"I wouldn't say that it was a lack of performance, but there were a few concerns that we had, and we have addressed those concerns. Now I am the candidate for South Manchester, and we've done the necessary work to ensure that the Jamaica Labour Party retains the seat," he said.

Chin defeated the People's National Party's Michael Stewart in the 2020 general election, polling 6,826 votes to Stewart's 5,936.

- Sashana Small

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