JW 'palances' into politics

ENTERTAINER and radio talk show host Jason “JW” Williams, 41, is palancing into politics and is the PNM's candidate for the San/Juan Barataria constituency in the forthcoming general election.

The PNM's general secretary Foster Cummings confirmed this in a phone interview with Newsday on Tuesday.

Cummings said the party held a screening on May 9 and Williams was chosen out of six nominees. He added that the screening committee has 11 members and each would have their own interpretation of the different nominees, but, Cummings said, Williams is from the area and "is a young person, has a good connection with the young people and has a passion for public service."

So Williams is the best candidate to bring home that seat for the PNM, Cummings said. UNC member Dr Fuad Khan is the current MP.

Williams grew up in Erin, south Trinidad, but has lived in San Juan for 20 years. He currently lives at Mission Road.

He will join some of his fellow entertainers who over the years have made the journey into politics, among them NCC chairman and former calypso monarch Winston “Gypsy” Peters, who served as a UNC MP and government minister; PNM councillor Franz “DeLamo” Lambkin, a former calypso monarch; and Ian Alleyne, host of the TV show Crime Watch. Alleyne was the UNC's candidate in the 2013 by-election for the St Joseph constituency.

Williams, who together with Ancil "Blaze" Williams won the 2010 Road March with the song Palance, and performed with international superstar Beyonce, said he has always loved his country, so his decision to enter electoral politics was an easy one. He formally joined the PNM this year.

“I have put myself up to serve. It is something I have been very passionate about and I have been involved, in my private life, for a while, in service to the people,” he said.

On his political journey Williams intends to let love be his guiding light. He sees this as being the “purpose part” of his life and he wants to lend his voice to effecting change in his community and TT.

He has been doing prison/community outreach and mentoring young people for more than 15 years. Other experiences, such as mentioning on air the issue of a hole in the road – and having it repaired within 24 hours
, have energised him.

Williams said
a PNM member contacted him about possibly being a candidate, but he did not wish to say who – he wanted to be guided by Balisier House about giving that kind of information.

Some of his colleagues in entertainment have contacted him since news of his candidacy spread and the feedback has been "progressive," he said.

Asked if he had reservations about entering politics, he said he intends to stay true to his mantra – "You have to love people."

“My mode of operation will not change. I am actually excited because I think that I will bring a breath of fresh air. I am not going
to go down the road of bacchanal. I just want to focus on the people, to be quite honest.”

For Williams it is all about service and he does not look at entering politics as hurting his brand.

“I look at it as building country, and you have to put yourself in a position to actually make that happen,” he said.