J.C. Hutchinson, Member of Parliament for North West St. Elizabeth
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JLP General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang and residents of North West St. Elizabeth
By Kimone Witter
The North West St. Elizabeth constituency will have a new representative going into the general election this year as long time Member of Parliament J.C. Hutchinson has indicated that he will not be seeking re-election.
On Saturday, Mr. Hutchinson nominated Andrew Morris, the principal of Lacovia High School, as his replacement at a monthly meeting of the constituency executive.
The development was confirmed with Radio Jamaica News on Monday by Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang.
"As he has indicated, he will not contest the next general election when it is called. He has explained his reason for doing so. It's more personal, but he will be committing still almost full time, during the course of this year, to the party to work with a number of seats in the region," said the general secretary.
He said the decision of Mr. Hutchinson, who has been an MP for 27 years, was unexpected.
Still, Dr. Chang said the nomination of the school principal, who he described as "well-established in the community", will be reviewed by the party's Candidate Special Committee and the constituency committee.
He said the JLP is continually reviewing its slate of candidates. While there are no other immediate changes, he said similar to Mr. Hutchingson who gave no prior indication he was not seeking re-election, others may make the same move later in the year, so changes are possible until nomination day.
In November last year, some residents of North West St. Elizabeth staged a demonstration calling for Mr. Hutchinson to be removed, citing his lack of representation.
Efforts to reach Mr. Hutchinson for a comment have been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, residents of North West St. Elizabeth have endorsed the nomination of Principal of Lacovia High School, Andrew Morris, as the prospective JLP candidate for the constituency.
The residents say they are willing to work with whomever is selected.
"A long time mi waan somebody young fi come tek up di mantle inna North West St. Elizabeth," said one resident who noted that the principal is loved by "every councillor".
Another resident, who complained that Mr. Hutchinson did nothing for the constituency, said it is a "good move" to have Mr. Morrison as the prospective candidate.
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