Building a Better Jamaica

Minister without Portfolio; Office of the Prime Minister

With the triumph of the Jamaica Labour Party in Western Portland in the by elections of March 23, 2009, Daryl Wesley Phillip Vaz subseqently earned his place in the JLP led Cabinet after defeating the PNP's Kenneth Rowe by 1,928 votes. It has been a long road of perseverance for Mr. Vaz, facing down controversies and political battles, some won, and some lost. He finally emerged victorious as a member of the new JLP Cabinet, validating the political gene passed down to him from his father, Douglas. 

Douglas Vaz was also a member of the JLP Cabinet which emerged victorious in the 1980 elections. Prior to that victory, during the turbulent times of the 1970's, Douglas Vaz was faithfully accompanied by his 13 year old son to the political campaigns of 1976. This was after being invited to join the JLP on the night of the June 19 State of Emergency. Douglas was one of the only 13 JLP candidates to win a seat in the December 15 election of that year - which as it turns out is also Daryl's birthday.

Daryl first ventured into representational politics in 1986 as a Councillor for the Waterloo Division of his father's North Central St. Andrew Division. However, after the political fallout in 1991 with then Prime Minister Edward Seaga and the "Gang of Five" (which included Douglas), Daryl put a hold on his political aspirations and ventured into the used car business. He was one of the very first to import used cars from Japan in 1983 and is also the first to lobby for an appropriate policy to govern this market niche.

Daryl followed his father's political footsteps almost succinctly; first with his departure from the JLP to the NDM and back. This opened the way for Bruce Golding to claim the top spot as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Mr. Vaz's tenacity is probably most remembered for his controversial trouncing of the PNP candidate in the September 2007 elections. This, oddly to the credit of the PNP's Abe Dabdoub, facilitated Daryl's path to Gordon House. The contentious political battle that followed is well documented. However, Mr. Vaz emerged victorious after facing down an almost incessant wave of political challenge to his rightful place in Jamaican politics.

Subsequent to his defining victory in Western Portland, Prime Minister Golding award Daryl Vaz a place in the JLP Cabinet of the Government of Jamaica in the Office of the Prime Minister. He currently serves as a minister without portfolio. Mr. Vaz is married to Ann-Marie Lyew and has one child, aged 6 by their union.