Discord among JLP supporters in St Catherine North Central over candidate selection

Tensions are running high among Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters in St Catherine North Central following Sunday’s delegate selection, which saw former Above Rocks Division Councillor Neil Powell emerging as the party’s candidate for the upcoming general election.

The selection, held at Tulloch Primary School in Bog Walk, saw Powell securing victory by a 21-vote margin. However, discontent among supporters of businessman Paul Brown, who had been working in the constituency for nearly a year, erupted into open disagreement over the outcome.

Supporters of Brown argue that the party should have endorsed his candidacy without a run-off, given his commitment and groundwork in the constituency after Powell initially declined an invitation to be interviewed for the position. This led the JLP to authorise Brown to mobilise support on the ground.

Dawn Campbell, a party worker, expressed her disappointment over the decision.

“Mi feel bad, because last year the party confront Mr Neil Powell to take the seat and he refused. He didn’t go for the interview. Mr Paul Brown went for the interview and was given the seat and the authorisation to come in the constituency and work the seat,” she stated, reflecting the sentiments of many Brown supporters.

Campbell also noted that Powell had previously turned down the opportunity to represent the constituency on two other occasions.

“Now after the man (Brown) has been in the constituency working it for nearly a year, now they say selection. It is not fair,” she added.

While acknowledging the democratic nature of the process, Campbell blamed the party for the resulting discord. She even suggested that there were underhanded schemes at play, though she provided no concrete evidence, and vowed not to work for the party in the upcoming election.

Brown, speaking after Powell’s victory, expressed disappointment but stopped short of openly criticising the process.

“I am very disappointed. I am more disappointed for the people who worked with me on the ground for the past seven months, because they see themselves winning this constituency, which has not been won by the JLP for the past 36 years,” he said.

He added, “The process is the process and it is not for me to complain. But what I will say is, we think that the process would have gone differently because we have been on the ground. It was surprising that we lost.”

LOYALTY PLEDGED

Despite the setback, Brown pledged his loyalty to the party, but acknowledged that the selection process had fractured the constituency. He urged Powell to reach out to unify the factions.

“North Central has been lost by the JLP for 36 years and if somebody wants to be victorious, they will have to meet all factions and come together. If the person who wins wants to meet our people here, I am happy to meet with them if he is big enough to do so,” he said.

In response, Powell signalled his willingness to extend the olive branch, but he indicated that healing must take place first.

“Yes, we have to do some damage control because there are too many sentiments regarding this selection process; and we have a bigger stake because the constituency has been neglected for years. It needs a seasoned person, not somebody practising politics,” he said in a pointed remark.

Defending the party’s decision, Powell insisted that the process was democratic.

“The party did nothing wrong. This is a normal process by the party to stage run-offs. It is called democracy, where freedom of choice is exhibited. You give the people what they want and allow them to choose, and they have spoken,” he asserted.

Powell is expected to face four-term incumbent Natalie Neita Garvey of the People’s National Party, who has held the seat since 2007.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com