Edmond Campbell, Senior News CoordinatorSWIFT INTERVENTION yesterday by the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) averted what is believed to have been a planned defection by three party councillors at the St. Catherine Parish Council.
Reports surfaced early yesterday that the councillors were considering switching allegiance to the People's National Party (PNP), a move that would place control of the council in the hands of the PNP. At present, there are 22 JLP councillors as against 18 for the PNP.
The councillors, who were reportedly at odds with the party, are Gerval Weir, of the Church Pen division; Norris Grant, of the Crescent division and William Cytal, representing the Troja division.
After a two-and-a-half hour meeting between the councillors and the top brass of the party, at JLP Headquarters, Belmont Road, the group emerged with one voice, saying the council was "intact".
Grant, one of the disgruntled councillors, was noticeably absent from the meeting and a reason for his absence could not be ascertained.
Meanwhile JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda dismissed as "strong rumour" reports that councillors from the JLP had planned to cross the floor.
PARTY SATISFIED
"It would be unfair for me to dismiss that as one of the considerations and a topic of discussion, but as a result of the meeting we have no indication of any resignation that is forthcoming," Mr. Samuda told The Gleaner. "The party is quite satisfied that the council will remain intact under the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party."
The JLP general secretary, however, said there were disagreements on a number of issues including representation of the constituency by the councillors; the relationship between councillors and Mayor Andrew Wheatley and the relationship between councillors and the Member of Parliament/ caretaker.
On Wednesday, Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Verna Parchment, crossed over to the Government side, reducing the Opposition's number of seats in the House to 24. Prior, to this Opposition MP Abe Dabdoub, resigned from the party and has since been an independent member of the House.
Mr. Samuda said there was no evidence at this time that any other member of the party, whether in the capacity of councillor or Member of Parliament, has plans to resign from the party.
