Vaz eyes Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general-secretary post

WEST PORTLAND Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz has signalled his intention to challenge for the post of general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Vaz, who is the party's deputy treasurer and the country's information minister, yesterday wrote to the Central Executive of the party indicating his desires.

"I humbly wish to inform you that I will be making myself available for the post of general secretary in the meeting following conference of 2010," Vaz said in a letter.

Karl Samuda, the minister of industry, investment and commerce and member of parliament for North Central St Andrew, is the sitting general secretary. It is unclear if he is seeking re-election.

Contacted last night, Vaz declined to comment on his challenge but said he would speak on the issue at the appropriate time.

There have been whispers coming out of the JLP that Samuda might be sidelined for failing to rush to the defence of Prime Minister Bruce Golding in the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips saga.

No reformist agenda

However, the content of the Vaz letter suggested that he was not part of a reformist agenda.

"I offer myself solely for the post of general secretary and not as a part of any other slate of candidates for any other position as I feel this will be in the best interest of the party," his letter read.

Attempts to contact Samuda last night were unsuccessful. However, Samuda last Saturday appeared to be in the mood for a challenge when asked by The Gleaner about the organisational readiness of the party.

"Anyone who feels that my back is against the wall, I want them to enter," Samuda said before the question was clarified to reflect that he was being asked about the party, and not his personal role as general secretary.

The JLP is to select officers at a meeting of its Central Executive following its annual conference scheduled for November 21.