After decades in politics, Everald Warmington has decided to step back at the end of this term. Many have expressed that they are not ready to see the back of the MP, but he says it is important to get new talent with fresh ideas and a new way of thinking into the political arena.

Why Warmington cried

MP deeply touched by outpouring of love, calls to stay

1 Nov 2022/Kimone Francis/ Senior Staff Reporter

WITH FOUR terms as the parliamentary representative for St Catherine South Western under his belt, Everald Warmington is keen on bringing down the curtain on his political career despite pleas from his supporters to stay.

In a tearful address to constituents on Sunday at a Jamaica Labour Party divisional meeting, the controversial member of parliament (MP) said he would not seek re-election at the national polls, constitutionally due

in 2025.

On Monday, Warmington doubled down on his stance in a Gleaner interview, noting that he had committed to leaving politics at 70 years old but has since agreed to complete the term after celebrating his birthday in February.

“People treat you the way you treat them. I was really touched by the type of affection that I saw yesterday (Sunday),” Warmington said.

“I’m a person who really don’t get emotional and so public, but I had no choice. It touched me deeply yesterday,” the politician, known for his acid tongue, added.

However, he said the display of love was not enough to sway him because it is his time to go.

“At a certain time, our minds get stale; our thinking and thoughts get stale. So we need to bring in new talent and new thinking. At 70, I can’t run again. I know how they feel, but by the next election, I’ll be 73,” said Warmington, a Cabinet executive with responsibility for works.

He told The Gleaner that his plan was to complete two years of this five-year term before exiting the political arena but cajoling from supporters caused him to abort those plans.

He said what he observed on the night of the September 3, 2020, general election signalled to him that he could not walk away after just two years.

As to his successor, Warmington said JLP supporters will be left to choose the next party chairman within the constituency.

“I’m not going to interfere. I don’t have a succession plan. I’m leaving it to the people to choose who they want, and anyone they choose, I’m going to work with that one wholeheartedly,” he said.

In contrast, Warmington’s colleague MP and Labour and Social Security Minister Karl Samuda told his supporters at a JLP divisional meeting two Sundays ago that he will remain as the party’s chairman in St Andrew North Central until he sees a suitable successor.

Samuda, 80, first won a parliamentary seat in 1980.

He told constituents that he has been asked repeatedly about his successor but declared: “I am going nowhere.”

“My successor must present himself and say, ‘I would like to represent the good people of North Central St Andrew,’ and get my support. It is not my decision. It is the decision of the people. A true democrat does not impose himself on the people. They have the final say.

“I can influence it, but I will not interfere with anyone who has the capacity and the ability to lead this constituency in a manner as I described,” Samuda said.

 

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