JLP's Seiveright pauses St Andrew North Central campaign in wake of turmoil, insists ‘this is not a withdrawal’

Amid escalating tensions over candidate selection in St Andrew North Central, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Senator Delano Seiveright has taken the surprise decision to pause his campaign to succeed veteran parliamentarian Karl Samuda.

He insists it is not the end of his ambitions.

“After careful thought and discussion, I’ve made the decision to pause the campaign. This is not a withdrawal, far from it. It’s simply a moment to allow the party the space it needs to move forward in unity and strength,” Seiveright said in a statement issued Tuesday.

It came less than a day after JLP supporters and workers from the constituency confronted General Secretary Dr Horace Chang at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters in St Andrew.

“I’m truly grateful for the incredible support, encouragement, and energy you’ve all shown. I don’t take it lightly,” Seiveright said.

“But, I’ve always said: no one is bigger than the party, and certainly no one is bigger than Jamaica.”

He added," This pause is about staying focused on the bigger picture, ensuring we’re united, disciplined, and ready for the work ahead,” he said.

“I remain fully committed to North Central St Andrew and to all of you. My heart is in this, and I’m still here, serving, listening, and working with you every step of the way.”

The announcement followed emotionally charged talks Monday, during which green-clad supporters from the constituency pressed Chang for answers on whether Seiveright had formally applied to replace Samuda.

Chang confirmed to The Gleaner that while attorney Christian Tavares-Finson, the son of Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson, had submitted a formal application, Seiveright had “submitted a letter of interest” but “hasn’t really applied in the formal sense.”

Audio leaked from the closed-door meeting captured some of the discussions.

“Did Seiveright apply?” one woman asked.

“No,” Chang responded, prompting her pointed reply: “Interesting.”

Several supporters suggested Seiveright was waiting on Samuda’s formal resignation to file a full application.

Some of the supporters warned against the party using favouritism and to decide Samuda's successor.

“No disrespect, sir. But there seems to be a trend where MPs are resigning their seat and giving to their children,” one supporter told Chang.

“Now, Andrew has taught us… you can born and come from anywhere and be the prime minister. Now, it is unfair that because of your name or where you grow up in society you expect fi just come get a seat.”

Another warned: “Let my prime minister, Dr Chang, and all of the hierarchy, do not sit down and say that this is a safe seat so we can do whatever we want… Please don’t have them do that.”

Seiveright’s announced on Good Friday, April 18, that he had applied to be the party's representative.

It is also believed that the move disrupted plans to seamlessly install Tavares-Finson as the pick for the constituency.

Since then, he has led a high-visibility ground campaign, gaining endorsements from both divisional councillors and receiving a favourable response from the constituency executive, according to correspondence seen by The Gleaner.

The councillors for the two divisions in the constituency have publicly supported Seiveright.

Still, powerful elements within the party are said to be cold on his candidacy.

Chang acknowledged the growing unease but denied what he said were rumours that the party was against having Seiveright representing the party in Parliament.

“It is not true,” he said.

The general secretary also said the party hopes to avoid a selection contest, stressing, “The party’s mechanism is working to settle without a contested operation.”

The fracas in St Andrew North Central forms part of broader unrest in the JLP over candidate selection, with fierce internal battles also playing out in constituencies such as Westmoreland Western and Clarendon Central.

Seiveright was elected constituency vice-chairman last November, with the endorsement of Samuda.

The MP has declined requests to speak on the developments.

Monday also saw a contingent of workers from St Andrew East Central airing their own selection concerns.

Some reportedly supported attorney Davion Vassell, while others backed Jodian Myrie, who ran for the seat in 2020.

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