Holness urges JLP candidates to uphold highest standards following Warmington’s expletive-laced remarks

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader, Dr Andrew Holness, has reminded candidates and representatives that their conduct must reflect the highest standards as they carry the party’s messages on various platforms across the country.

In a letter sent on Tuesday, Holness told the candidates and party representatives that they have a duty to the people, the law, and mores of the nation, to conduct themselves with regard for the highest standards.

“… Conduct and statements, which suggest or promote discrimination, violence, racism, misogyny, bigotry, objectification, or any form vulgarity must NOT be a part of our platform. Such conduct is not who we are or aspire to be as a people and a political organisation,” said Holness.

The letter came amid backlash being faced by Member of Parliament for South West St Catherine, Everald Warmington, for his use of expletives on a JLP platform in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Sunday.

Warmington urged Labourites in Westmoreland Central to "shut yuh eye and vote for Andrew Holness" if they dislike their Member of Parliament George Wright.

“Don’t stay home. Put the X beside the (expletive redacted) bell," Warmington said.

His remarks drew condemnation, with the People’s National Party General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, calling for the police to arrest and charge Warmington for his use of expletives on the JLP platform.

According to Campbell, who was speaking at the PNP’s Frome divisional conference, also in Westmoreland on Sunday, the police should take the same approach against Warmington as they do against dancehall artistes who use expletives on stage.

In recent times, several Jamaican artistes, especially dancehall stars, who have used expletives while performing on stage, have been arrested and charged and taken before the court, where they have been fined.

The following day, Warmington issued a statement in which he apologised, calling his remarks inappropriate and offensive

"I recognise that my comments on the platform yesterday were inappropriate and I regret offending anyone with the comments I made. So I do withdraw the comments and apologise."

In his letter to JLP candidates and representatives today, Holness said they must adhere to the highest standards when they go about representing the party.

“We are the party of equal rights and justice. All who are prepared to abide by our standards are welcomed. We are the party of steady progress and shared prosperity. Our conduct must reflect our values, reinforce our achievements, and exemplify our vision. There must be no distractions from our message as we ask Jamaicans to consider our achievements, and choose our demonstrated capabilities to take on intractable problems and successfully execute ambitions programmes to transform Jamaica.”

Holness said in the coming days, the party’s Secretariat will be in direct contact with candidates and representatives to review the party’s operational standards for candidates and other representatives and reaffirm their compliance and disciplined adherence.

“By our conduct, let us show we are the best choice for Jamaica.”

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