From the Montegonian News Desk here's what you should know about the potential face-off between Horace Chang and Allan Bernard in the 2025 election for the North West Montego Bay seat:
Candidates:
- Horace Chang: The incumbent MP for St. James North Western since 2002. He represents the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Chang is also the current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security.
- Allan Bernard: He is the People's National Party (PNP) candidate for St. James North Western. Bernard is a community development specialist and UWI lecturer. He has been involved in community work for over 30 years.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqziQgnJq2c)
Key Points and Issues:
- Chang's Experience: Horace Chang has a long political career, starting in 1976. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Western Hanover and North West St. James, and has held ministerial positions.
- Bernard's Background: Allan Bernard has a background in policy and development, having worked with organizations such as the Organization of American States, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Program.
- PNP's Strategy: The PNP is banking on young aspirants like Bernard to break the JLP's control in St. James.
- Bernard's Confidence: Allan Bernard has stated that he is not afraid to challenge Horace Chang, a political heavyweight.
Campaign Issues: Bernard intends to challenge what he views as "down-trodden policies" of the current government and improve the quality of life for people in North West St James.
(https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/10/31/if-i-dont-trod-rastafari/)
Legal Battles Over Campaign Signs: In April 2025, the St. James Municipal Corporation removed PNP campaign signs, leading to legal action by Bernard and other PNP candidates. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the PNP, halting the removal of their signs
(https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/06/10/putting-right-back/)
(https://our.today/tag/allan-bernard/)
Bernard's Vision: Bernard emphasizes empowering the people and ensuring a better quality of life. He believes the PNP will win the upcoming election.
Rastafari Tenets: Bernard has stated that he will uphold the tenets of Rastafari in his political representation.
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Learn more:
1. [Horace Chang - Office of the Prime Minister](https://opm.gov.jm/cabinet_ministers/horace-chang/)
2. [Jamaica Labour Party - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_Labour_Party)
3. [Horace Chang - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Chang)
4. [Horace Chang - Jamaica Information Service](https://jis.gov.jm/government/ministers/dr-horace-chang/)
5. ['If I don't trod Rastafari' - Jamaica Observer](https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/10/31/if-i-dont-trod-rastafari/)
6. [Allan Bernard: I'm Not Afraid to Face Horace Chang - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqziQgnJq2c)
7. [ALLAN BERNARD- PNP CANDIDATE NORTH WEST ST JAMES: A TRUE VISIONARY FOR THE PEOPLE - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cebhTNoq0YA)
8. [PNP banking on young aspirants to break JLP control of St James - Jamaica Observer](https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/02/15/pnp-banking-young-aspirants-break-jlp-control-st-james/)
9. ['We putting them right back' - Jamaica Observer](https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/06/10/putting-right-back/)
10. [Allan Bernard - Our Today](https://our.today/tag/allan-bernard/)
