Dame Jennifer to run again

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16: Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith will fight her St George’s North seat again, the PLP said today.

The Education Minister— who led her party to its historic first victory in 1998 — has represented the St George’s area for 23 years.

Dame Jennifer said she was “humbled” to be asked to run as PLP candidate again.

She added: “As a Government we have confronted the worst global economic crisis since the great depression. It has been a tough battle, but we are winning the fight.

“We are making progress in terms of economic recovery and our spending has been invested in making this country better.

“We spent — not because we like roads or buildings — we spent to provide jobs., assure health and achieve success and stability for the people of this country.

Dame Jennifer admitted that Government had faced other challenges — including an upsurge in gun crime.

She said: “We continue to relentlessly and aggressively tackle crime while addressing the long-simmering conditions that helped to create a culture of criminality among some of our citizens.”

Dame Jennifer added: “As Minister of Education, we have focused on teaching and learning in order to spread equity across the system by raising standards and offering help on site, at the schools.”

And she said she had also worked for constituency interests, especially those involving children, singling out events like the annual Easter egg hunt, the Future Leaders Awards and the annual “back to school” event.

A spokesman for the party added: “We are confident that the residents of St George’s North recognize and appreciate the lifetime of service that she has given to their constituency and that on election day, they will re-elect Dame Jennifer to the House of Assembly.

Dame Jennifer held the seat at the 2007 general election with a 25-vote advantage over St George’s Mayor Kenneth Bascome (474-449). She took 51.3 per cent of the vote, compared to Mr Bascome’s 48.6 per cent.