Kenroy Johnson, the New Democratic Party’s North Central Windward candidate in the upcoming General Elections, says that he is optimistic that he can pull off an effective campaign despite the limited time between now and polling day, December 13.{{more}}

Johnson in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Friday, November 26, said that he has already started the ground work, doing one-on-one appeals throughout the constituency, something he said he prefers rather than political meetings, where according to him, most persons miss a lot of quality information that the speaker has to say.

Johnson will be coming up against Prime Minister and political leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, but says that he is not prepared to be intimidated and is confident that he has what it takes to pull off what perhaps will be considered one of the biggest political upsets in this country’s history.

“It’s a daunting task; it’s going to be challenging, but the thing is this: what is life without a challenge? I don’t think I would have been as excited as I am now,” he told SEARCHLIGHT.

“I am quite willing to face the challenge and to do everything legally within my own powers to ensure that I do well,” he continued.

Johnson said that he did not believe that the odds of him pulling off an upset victory will be hampered by the short time he has to campaign.

“A short, bang campaign could be more effective than a long, drawn out one,” Johnson told SEARCHLIGHT.

His candidacy emerged in the midst of some controversy: first the resignation of Cameron ‘Dinky’ Balcombe, then the announcement last week that Margaret London had also been pulled from the slate of NDP candidates.

On this note, Johnson said that he does not see this as posing any problems to his campaign.

In fact, he contends that the controversy may put him at an advantage.

“There may have been some controversy, but controversy may work to your advantage,” he explained.

“It makes people aware of what is going on,” Johnson added.

He, however, said that he does not intend to campaign on those types of things instead he will be focusing on the issues, such as: education, culture, sports and agriculture.

Having been an educator since age 14, Johnson said that he believes that there needs to be a re-examination of the current education system.

“As a principal, it pained my heart to see the great injustice done to young people. I felt sorry for them as they were thrown into the secondary school system incapable of coping with what goes on in the secondary school system,” Johnson contended.

He also spoke on the need for more effective training of teachers in the areas of remediation.

Johnson also touched briefly on sports and culture and discussed the need also for the country to begin looking at better agricultural export strategies.

Above all else, he says that he believes that should he be given the opportunity to represent the people under an NDP led government, he would be in a position to push the agenda for a programme that will allow for persons in communities throughout the country to educate themselves.

Regarding his portfolio, he said that he has experience in the areas of education, sports or culture. He added that he was confident that with his experience he would be able to perform well in any capacity.

Johnson is expected to be officially launched tonight at the Georgetown Playing Field, where he is expected to be making his first political speech.

“There may have been some controversy, but controversy may work to your advantage,” he explained.

“It makes people aware of what is going on,” Johnson added.

He, however, said that he does not intend to campaign on those types of things; instead he will be focusing on the issues, such as: education, culture, sports and agriculture.

Having been an educator since age 14, Johnson said that he believes that there needs to be a re-examination of the current education system.

“As a principal, it pained my heart to see the great injustice done to young people. I felt sorry for them as they were thrown into the secondary school system, incapable of coping with what goes on in the secondary school system,” Johnson contended.

He also spoke on the need for more effective training of teachers in the areas of remediation.

Johnson also touched briefly on sports and culture and discussed the need also for the country to begin looking at better agricultural export strategies.

Above all else, he says that he believes that should he be given the opportunity to represent the people under an NDP-led government, he would be in a position to push the agenda for a programme that will allow for persons in communities throughout the country to educate themselves.

Regarding his portfolio, he said that he has experience in the areas of education, sports or culture. He added that he was confident that with his experience he would be able to perform well in any capacity.

Johnson is expected to be officially launched tonight at the Georgetown Playing Field, where he is scheduled to be making his first political speech.