Holness tells Morgan to mend relationship with disgruntled Labourites in Mocho division

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday told Robert Morgan, the member of parliament for Clarendon North Central, to mend fences with disgruntled Labourites in the Mocho division ahead of the general election due next September.

Holness told bell-ringing supporters at the constituency conference at Clarendon College that he has spoken with residents of the division and that a special team was sent to interview JLP workers, executive members and influential people.

He said the team received good information.

“I have tasked your member of parliament to repair any bridge that has been damaged; to mend any fence that has been broken, to build back the love and friendship in the constituency,” said Holness on Sunday evening.

“Nobody can tell me that the Labourite majority isn't there, but I know that some Labourites not happy. I know that some Labourites are frustrated, and as this is our conference we will bring all the Labourites together.

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“This is the perfect opportunity, the perfect stage, the perfect platform to say to all the Labourites in North Central Clarendon, let us come back together. Let us rebuild what we have. Let us make it stronger. Let us recommit ourselves,” Holness said.

The JLP, for the first time in more than 50 years, lost the division in the February 26 local government elections, to the opposition People's National Party (PNP).

The surprise loss followed a public fight between Morgan, a second-term MP and then JLP councillor Romaine Morris, who subsequently resigned from the party and joined the PNP.

Morris won the division on the PNP's ticket polling 1,239 to the 1,043 polled by the JLP's Clement Alves.

Holness impressed upon Labourites that the constituency is very important to the JLP and is one the Labour Party counts on to form its majority in parliament.

He said it was a dependable constituency, but expressed unease with the trajectory in one quarter.

“…I must be honest with you and say that things have happened for which I am not pleased and I am sure you are not pleased as well. It is not too late to repair any breach and I want to see that when the election is called that the Jamaica Labour Party will maintain its majority in the Mocho division of this constituency.

“…So, MP, you have been given your task to make sure that the people of the Mocho division feel confident, feel satisfied and feel justified in giving their full support to the Jamaica Labour Party as they have done for more than 50 years,” said Holness.

- Kimone Francis