Leonce: Matter ‘bigger than health issues’ forced me out election race

KAY-MARIE FLETCHER &

GAIL ALEXANDER

Something more concerning than health issues is holding back Laventille East/Morvant MP Adrian Leonce from representing his constituents at the next general election.

He failed to show up at the PNM screening on Monday evening, eventually revoking his consent to be screened by the party. Leonce cited “serious personal issues.”

However, Leonce has now told Guardian Media that it’s deeper than that.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Leonce said he was devastated he could not be screened as planned.

He revealed it was very emotional having to meet with his constituency executive to give them the news as well.

Asked if his reason for not wanting to be screened as a candidate was due to health or marital issues, he said, “People will say health issue because I do get sick plenty, which is true. I do really get sick plenty, but it’s a lot deeper than and bigger than a health issue and I have no issues with my wife. Me and my wife very happy, so it has nothing to do with marital or nothing like that.”

While diehard supporters aren’t happy about his decision and are begging for his return to the PNM screening committee, Leonce said he wants them to know he has not abandoned them.

“I love my constituents. It’s a very heavy, emotional time for me. I am in no way abandoning my people. I love my people. I will always be there for them in whatever capacity, even if it’s not the MP. I will always be there for them,” he stressed.

Leonce said he’s hoping his issues are resolved before the next general election, so he can once again put forward his nomination. He said he’s seen in the past where candidates are switched at the last minute.

Earlier this week, PNM re-opened nominations for screening for candidates for the Laventille East/Morvant constituency. The deadline for nominations is December 20.

While he remains unsure how his future in representational politics will go, Leonce said he will support whoever is chosen by the screening committee.

However, many constituents told Guardian Media yesterday they do not want former MP Donna Cox to replace Leonce.

Some even threatened not to vote for the PNM if Cox was named the candidate.

Morvant resident Yinka John said, “It have real people Leonce have employed who didn’t have nothing, so no Leonce no vote. We don’t want nobody else, especially Donna Cox. We don’t want she. She don’t do nothing for we. All she know to do is buy eyelashes. Tell them I say so.”

Cox has not signalled her intention to submit nomination papers for any seat. Attempts to contact her for comment have been futile all week.

Guardian Media also reached out to PNM stalwart Ashton Ford but he said it is unlikely the party will lose votes because an MP bows out of the race due to personal reasons.

Leonce was the second Laventille MP to withdraw his consent to be screened at the last minute.

Incumbent Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds announced his exit from representational politics last Friday. On Monday, the PNM screening committee chose Port-of-Spain alderman Kareem Marcelle to become the candidate for Laventille West.

‘Crime will rise if Leonce leaves’

Meanwhile, some residents of Laventille East/Morvant are still struggling to come to terms with Leonce’s decision and are hoping he has a change of heart.

Raphne St Rose of Caledonia said, “My eyes watering now. Adrian is someone the ghetto can say is the best we get in a long time. If God forbid, he leaves, it will push crime back up. He introduced programmes and the crime rate went down. Without him, people will fall back.”

Dwayne Shaka Brewster (owner of Shaka FC football club) said, “You don’t have to go in no office to find Leonce, he’s all over. God send him because he doesn’t move like a politician. He is (sic) stretch his hand, people is come from Toco and get help from him.

“I love him 100 per cent. If PNM loss this man, the place will go haywire because he tries to keep it balanced. He doesn’t make promises, he make things happen. He’s the only politician who can walk through the area and nobody tells him anything bad. If he need a couple months to fix his business, let the man do it but keep him!”

Resident Lisa de Leon said, “I’m heartbroken… this is a very good MP who’s assisted people at every turn. Laventille West people can come Laventille East/Morvant and get help, he ends the lines between our constituencies.

“His term ‘Bringing communities together’ showed us how to help each other and for youths to develop. This is the first we’ve ever had someone who came down to the grassroots, listened and tried to assist. School times he’d ensure children even get haircuts plus, books.”

A Pitch Road resident said Leonce wasn’t like most politicians, who he described as unapproachable.

“He reaches our level. That makes him a politician of the future. Laventille East/Morvant lacks land but he successfully encouraged youths in agriculture. He built community spirit developing systems for small contractors to work for others improving the area. This is who we want. The party shouldn’t disregard us. And him.”

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