FROM THE fledgling sea-coast towns to the rustic hills of West Portland, residents appear to be speaking in one voice.

They say Daryl Vaz was elected member of Parliament (MP) by the majority of voters in the September 2007 general election and he should be allowed to continue the job he has started.

The Court of Appeal is expected to rule soon on whether Vaz should remain in the seat, or if Abe Dabdoub should take over.

The court could also uphold Chief Justice Zaila McCalla's ruling that a by-election take place in the constituency.

"Most people on the ground are expecting a by-election," says one man as he prepares to enter Vaz's constituency office in Buff Bay.

Of those prepared to speak with The Sunday Gleaner, most appeared willing to accept a by-election, but they would be more satisfied if they could forget about voting and get on with their lives.

"In a democracy, the majority rules, and as far as mi concern, the majority of West Portland reject Dabdoub; and Vaz has not been doing a bad job," Orville Jackson told The Sunday Gleaner.

pnp bastion

Jackson said he was a PNP supporter and votes in the St Margaret's Bay division, one of those usually considered a PNP bastion, but one which went to Vaz in the 2007 general election.

According to Jackson, he has always voted PNP and would vote PNP if a by-election were ordered; but, unlike the leadership of the party, he was not optimistic of a Dabdoub win.

"As far as mi si it, di seat swing gone to JLP, suh even if di court seh by-election, Vaz a guh win same way," Jackson reasoned.

The PNP has said that it has oiled its machinery and would be ready to hit the ground running in West Portland should the Court of Appeal uphold McCalla's ruling for a by-election.

In the cool and rustic Rock Hall, Adolph Bryan, a farmer and declared JLP supporter, told The Sunday Gleaner that he was keeping his ear close to the ground and was ready to march back to the polling station to keep Vaz in power.

"If dem seh by-election, mi ready fi guh dip mi finga again, man," Bryan said.

The farmer, stained with the scent of yam and perspiration, and his hands plastered with mud, said it would be "judgement" if the court ruled in Dabdoub's favour.

Slapping his machete against his fork, Bryan argued that the court would be "unjust" to give Dabdoub the seat.

Down the hill, where the roads are smoother and the sea breeze deposits salt sediments on to aluminium roofs, the willingness to settle with Vaz is also evident.

Samuel Sudu, former PNP councillor/caretaker for the Hope Bay division, said Vaz had made West Portland JLP territory.

"If there is a by-election, Vaz will win. Vaz has been working since he has been here. It is not about PNP nor JLP; it is about progress," Sudu said.

Dabdoub not welcome

Businessman Norman Edwards, who said he supported the PNP until he broke ranks in 2002, said Dabdoub was not welcome in the constituency and the PNP's time to administer the political affairs of West Portland was over.

"Even if the court gives him the seat, Dabdoub cannot come back here, because the people don't want him," Edwards said.

"We don't even want a PNP member of Parliament here anymore," he added.

First-time voter Lisa Brown, who said she voted for Dabdoub, is not enthusiastic about the court's decision. In fact, she said that if the court acts to remove Vaz, she would be upset because "him seem to have more interest in the seat".

"Wi just nuh si Dabdoub since di election and if dem seh by-election, mi a go vote fi Vaz," Brown stated.

Unlike him, though, Lloyd Maise considers himself a strong PNP who "will never switch". When The Sunday Gleaner visited West Portland, Maise was parading in a shirt bearing the image of PNP president Portia Simpson Miller.

not much enthusiasm

However, the enthusiasm of Simpson Miller has not been transferred to Maise. Unlike his leader, who has declared that "it's not over yet", Maise has conceded defeat. In fact, he sees the exercise in the court as a defeat to democracy.

"Mr Vaz dun win bout yah already still, so him fi keep di seat. A him di people dem vote fah and mi respect dat," Maise said as he struggled to be heard above the roaring sea waves slapping against the pristine Portland coastline.