JLP dominates St James, but mayor undecided
THE JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) reaffirmed its dominance in St James by retaining control of the municipal corporation, overcoming a sluggish start at polling stations on Monday.
The Labourites walked away with 11 seats while the People’s National Party (PNP) is now the holder of six seats compared to the 2016 results of 13-4.
With the local government election out of the way, eyes are now being placed on who will become the next mayor of Montego Bay.
The city’s most recent mayor, Leeroy Williams, did not contest his seat in the Montego Bay North division during Monday’s local government election, and word has quickly made its way around that retirement is on the books for the veteran politician.
There has been no official word from the municipal corporation or the JLP regarding Williams’ political future.
Former Mayor of Montego Bay Charles Sinclair, however, has made it clear that he will not be throwing his hat in the ring for another stint as head of the StJMC despite internal whispers that he has expressed interest in the post.
Sinclair served as mayor of Montego Bay from 2008 to 2012 during the previous Jamaica Labour Party administration. He is also a government senator.
Williams became Montego Bay’s mayor after the 2020 General Election when former mayor Homer Davis was elected as member of parliament for St James Southern.
“I have served my time as mayor, and I have served my time as a councillor. I have been put in the Senate, the House of representatives, and where I am now, I don’t see myself going back as the mayor and retaking control of the municipal corporation,” he told The Gleaner on Monday afternoon.
Sinclair defeated the People’s National Party councillor candidate, Alan Bernard, by 1,368 to 716 to become a fifth-term councillor. He has been a councillor since 2003.
In the meantime, Sinclair shared that he has identified a suitable candidate who may be sworn in as mayor of Montego Bay come Thursday afternoon.
“I have my eyes on a particular person who I will be giving my support to, to become mayor,” he said.
Montego Bay’s deputy mayor, Richard Vernon, defeated the PNP’s Gordon Baldie with 1,316 to 833 to become a second-term councillor.