Seiveright declares interest in St Andrew North Central seat, with Samuda's 'full support'

Senator Delano Seiveright has officially declared his interest in becoming the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) representative for St Andrew North Central in the next general election, expected by September.

In a Good Friday announcement, Seiveright, a junior minister in the tourism ministry, said his more than two decades of service to the party were not the result of “family connections or privilege” but built through “consistent hard work” and “always putting people first.”The pointed remark appeared to be a veiled jab at his perceived chief rival, attorney Christian Tavares-Finson, son of Senate President and JLP stalwart Tom Tavares-Finson.

Christian Tavares-Finson has reportedly secured support from senior party figures but continues to face stiff resistance from constituency leaders.

The constituency is represented by JLP Member of Parliament Karl Samuda, who is not expected to seek re-election.

Tom previously ran against Samuda in 1993 after Samuda defected to the People’s National Party.

“This journey is not about seeking a position but about partnership, unity, and delivering meaningful results,” Seiveright said, adding that he has the “full support” of Samuda, 83, the joint-longest serving MP in Jamaica’s history, who is preparing to demit office after more than four decades.

Seiveright’s standing in the party has risen in recent times.

After nearly nine years as a senior adviser to the tourism minister, he was appointed to the Senate in February and, by March 17, named a junior minister, developments that raised speculation about the motives of the party hierarchy.

He said his decision to apply for the seat came after “much reflection [and] honest dialogue.”

He acknowledged the “tremendous support” from constituents, saying their “calls, messages, and firm push for clarity and direction have played a big part in this decision.”

“I am stepping forward not out of entitlement or expectation, but out of a genuine desire to contribute, to serve, and to help take North Central St Andrew to the next level,” he said, also paying tribute to Pauline Samuda, wife of the outgoing MP, whom he described as a key administrator of the constituency.

His campaign was bolstered in February by a public endorsement from Lee Clarke, the influential councillor for the Whitehall Division and a former mayor of Kingston.

Clarke warned the JLP against imposing a candidate unfamiliar to constituents, asserting that Seiveright had been consistently present in the area, unlike Tavares-Finson, whom he said he had seen only once.

“People should work with people on the ground. Because you can’t say, you just go inna politics because of a tradition or anything like that. You go to do something,” he told The Gleaner.

The other division in the constituency, Norbrook, is represented by the JLP’s Susan Senior, who has not given any public endorsement.

However, Seiveright stated in his announcement that he has their “full support.”

Seiveright also expressed his “absolute respect” for Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

“I am committed to supporting him and the mission of the JLP as we move forward,” said Seiveright, who, more than a decade ago, supported Holness’ rival Audley Shaw in a leadership contest.

A former president of the JLP’s young professionals’ arm, Generation 2000, Seiveright was one of the firebrand youth leaders who helped propel the party into power in 2007, for the first time since 1989.

“This journey is not about seeking a position but about partnership, unity, and delivering meaningful results for the people,” said Seiveright, noting that he is a constituent and past student of Calabar High, which is located in the constituency.

The JLP has struggled to resolve the succession issue for the seat that Samuda has held since 1980.

In January, JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang told The Gleaner that Samuda was reconsidering his exit, citing the absence of a clear successor and the party’s desire to maintain stability in the constituency.

“He wanted to demit office, but nobody has emerged. He’s thinking that he should at least do a part of the [next term],” Chang said.

Seiveright was unanimously elected vice chairman of the constituency in November 2024.

Samuda said then that he was in “absolute agreement” with the decision and was impressed by Seiveright’s intellect, party knowledge, and organisational skills.

A party insider said the JLP leadership prefers a candidate who has not found favour with Samuda.

The JLP is also seeking to quell disquiets regarding candidate selection in other constituencies.

On Sunday, party chairman Robert Montague said four constituencies remain undecided.

According to him, the "party is slowly getting ready" for the election.

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