JLP's unsettled slate of candidates a sign of internal trouble - Smith

 

As the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) eyes a third consecutive term in office, political commentator Lloyd B. Smith is warning that there could be fallout within the party in the lead up to the general election as it has not yet settled on its slate of candidates.

 

Mr. Smith noted that there is tension within the St. Andrew North Central constituency as councillors are divided in their support for attorney Christian Tavares-Finson and Senator Delano Seiveright to replace a member of Parliament Karl Samuda. 

 

Mr. Smith is asserting that the JLP secretariat dropped the ball on not settling all its candidates by now. 

 

"I think it's unfortunate. One suspects that perhaps the party's secretariat has not been fully functional, that's my view, because it should have been able to know what's happening on the ground to be aware of all the various aspirants that may be coming to the fore and to do the necessary interventions and consultations so as to cauterise any spats that become so public and embarrassing to the party, which is what is happening now," he asserted Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106. 

 

Mr. Smith said the JLP should act swiftly to settle the party's standard bearer for the constituency as the optics do not augur well for the outcome of a general election that is expected to be closely contested. 

 

Mr. Smith believes the JLP leadership is in favour of Mr. Seiveright replacing Mr. Samuda based on his appointment as a senator and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism.