Tufton accuses PNP of leading smear campaign against gov't

 

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton is accusing the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) of leading a smear campaign against the image and work being done by the government.

 

Dr. Tufton, who was addressing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters at a workers' rally in Lionel Town, Clarendon on Sunday, said over the last seven years, the PNP has been working overtime to taint and corrupt the JLP's image.

 

"And because the other people dem over deh so know that people looking at the issues this time around, they try to create all sorts of misinformation, all sorts of propaganda, all sorts of inaccuracies, gossip. And what di people over deh so a do, the orange man and the orange woman, to be gender indifferent, is that they are putting out a whole heep a information in the free media space, coming into your living rooms, coming into your bedrooms, coming into your phone at the bar counter or on the church choir and giving an impression that labour party serve seven years and wi nuh do nut'n. Well, I want to tell you this, because it's a famous man who said that we must 'mash down that lie,'" he argued. 

 

He urged party supporters to rally behind the government as it gears up to secure another term in office. 

 

Dr. Tufton also directed stinging remarks towards former PNP representatives for the Rocky Point division. 

 

In addition, he accused the PNP of abandoning the people during what he describes as a time of need. 

 

"Your member of Parliament and your councillor, Winston Maragh and Pearnel Charles Jr; with yours truly as Minister of Health and Wellness, with your former member of Parliament, Ruddy Spencer - big up Ruddy Spencer  - have done more for the people of this constituency than anybody else would ever do. Certainly not the man who did get it for a little and run left it, run left it when it never serve him purpose. Don't make that happen to you again because Winston Maragh has been here for 49 years and he will not leave you because he's a part of you." 

 

Dr. Tufton said the health ministry remains committed to providing access to proper health care and resources to the people of Clarendon.