Hamilton celebrates grassroots wins, ready for re-election battle
Published:Sunday | June 22, 2025 | 12:06 AMRochelle Clayton - Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
As she approaches the end of her first term as member of parliament (MP) for Northern Trelawny, Tova Hamilton is reflective – grateful for the victories, honest about the challenges, and focused on the work still ahead.
Hamilton’s first came to national attention in June 2020, when she was appointed a government senator following Pearnel Charles Jr’s election to the Lower House.
A practising attorney, she would put an end to three decades of People’s National Party (PNP) dominance in the Trelawny Northern less than three months later, unseating Victor Wright by polling 8,569 votes to his 6,808. Her win not only marked a personal milestone, but also ended the PNP’s 31-year hold on the constituency, making her the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) first MP for the area since 1989.
Hamilton told The Sunday Gleaner that the past four years have been a period of growth and learning, as she strives to become a more effective and empathetic leader.
“It has been a profound and humbling experience – one that requires grit, a whole heap of patience, and heart. There is no manual for serving people, but I have approached the job with a deep sense of duty. I have listened, learned, and led. Representing Trelawny Northern is not just a title for me – it is a daily commitment to show up and push through the challenges to bring real change. And I will be the first to tell you that the challenges are many,” said Hamilton.
When asked about the most rewarding and difficult moments of her first term, Hamilton pointed to the impact of direct community assistance as the most uplifting, while bureaucracy and slow-moving systems remain frustrating obstacles.
“The highs are always connected to the people – the moments when a student, who might never have afforded an education, receives a scholarship and later returns to share his/her success; watching a small business thrive after receiving a helping hand; or when residents express heartfelt gratitude for finally receiving basic services like water, proper roads or electricity. Those are the moments that make the journey worthwhile,” she said.
Stalled by bureaucracy
“The lows, inevitably, come when resources are stretched thin or progress is stalled by bureaucracy. It can be most frustrating when the desire to do more and move faster is met with red tape, or as they say, you have to work within the ‘system’. I often want to tear my hair out. But even in those moments, I have remained focused. I have never let the obstacles derail the mission. The work must continue because the people deserve no less,” Hamilton added.
She emphasised that her primary goal over the term has been to “reverse decades of underdevelopment” in Trelawny Northern.
According to Hamilton, she has launched a number of developmental efforts aimed at reintroducing and introducing projects to residents. In a document she shared with The Sunday Gleaner, Hamilton provided a breakdown of the initiatives completed in her constituency since 2020. According to the document, approximately $95 million has been spent on upgrading sports, housing, welfare, education, and agriculture in constituency. These projects do not include those carried out by other governmental agencies.
“My first term as member of parliament has been centred on delivering real, measurable progress across Trelawny Northern – a deliberate effort to reverse the decades of underdevelopment that defined the 31-year PNP reign. From expanding access to water in underserved communities – with even more interventions in the pipeline – to undertaking long-overdue road rehabilitation works, we have worked to improve lives where it matters most,” Hamilton shared, while noting that several communities have also benefited from a solar-lighting project.
Meanwhile, Hamilton said that plans are still in place to complete several projects across the constituency. She stressed that these initiatives are geared at “improving infrastructure and quality of life” for all residents. She said that there are multiple road improvement projects being carried out in Dromilly; from Church Street to Gravel Hill in Duanvale; and in Greenmount. Furthermore, Hamilton revealed that roadworks in Shawfield, Hatfield, Smith Crescent in Martha Brae, Duncans to Long Pond, and Martha Brae to Kinloss are expected to commence in short order.
Water access top priority
She said that water access is also a top priority and a partnership with the National Water Commission will aim at delivering the scarce commodity to “communities like Bounty Hall, Clark’s Town, Johnson Hill, and Spicy Hill”. Additionally, Hamilton said that plans are also in place to deliver more benefits to her constituents.
“Efforts are also being made to advance land titling in areas like New Town, Greenmount, and Hampdenland – empowering residents with legal ownership. We continue to support the most vulnerable through indigent housing initiatives and education support programmes. Community development remains a priority, and we are currently finalising plans for a pocket park in New Forest, Duanvale, which is set to begin shortly.
New post office
“Additionally, we are working towards the construction of a new post office in Wakefield, pending the finalisation of a lease agreement between the Trelawny Municipal Corporation and the Postal Corporation of Jamaica. Preparations are also well under way for this year’s staging of the ‘Liv Gud’ August Expo, and we are determined to make it the biggest, most inclusive celebration of Trelawny’s talent, culture, and entrepreneurship to date,” said the MP.
As the general election, which is constitutionally due by September, approaches, Hamilton expressed confidence in winning a second term. She mentioned her accomplishments and the public’s backing as sources of confidence.
“I’m confident, but my confidence is not based on complacency; it’s based on hard work. I believe the people of Trelawny Northern have seen the difference, and they know my heart is in the right place. I respect the process and the will of the people, and I will continue to earn their trust every day,” she said.
“The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve felt the energy on the ground from young people, farmers, elders, and the business community. Of course, not everyone will agree all the time, and that’s democracy. But overall, people are saying, “Let’s continue the progress.” And that message keeps me focused and driven,” said Hamilton.