RUDDY SPENCER CALLS IT QUITS
Clarendon MP leaves representational politics
After 18 years as Member of Parliament (MP) for South East Clarendon, Rudyard Spencer last night retired from representational politics.
“I am not being pushed out. I have reached a time when I feel it’s time to go,” said Spencer, who admitted being tearyeyed on his last day.
He hailed “the lovely people of South East Clarendon” for sticking with him for four terms.
Spencer, a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stalwart, was given a grand salute as he made his last walk as MP in Gordon House last night.
“I have today received a letter from the Honourable Rudyard Spencer in which he has advised me that he has advised the prime minister of his intention to retire from parliamentary business,” House Speaker Pearnel Charles Sr said.
The resignation took effect immediately. Several MPs gave glowing tributes to Spencer last night, among them being Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw, who said Spencer gave a “life of service to the people of Jamaica.”
Spencer said that he is leaving to make way for Government Minister Pearnel Charles Jr in the seat.
“I am confident that the people of South East Clarendon are getting valuable, precious people to represent them,” said Spencer.
“The only reason why I am giving up the seat is that I am satisfied that they have somebody worthwhile to represent them,” he added.
Spencer’s decision has ended a tug-o-war between Charles Jr and Robert Morgan to succeed Pearnel Charles Sr in North Central Clarendon.
Morgan is now set to take over when Charles Sr retires.
Arthur Coleman, vice-chairman for the constituency and supervisor for the Rocky Point cluster, who says he spends most of his time canvassing on the ground for the JLP, said they are ready for an election.
“We are ready, only thing for us to do is to tighten up on our unity … you have persons who are loyal to the former, and of course there will be a new man,” he said.
Patricia Duncan Sutherland, the People’s National Party representative in South East Clarendon, firmly believes that she is having a confusing effect on the JLP in the constituency.
She told THE CENTRAL STAR yesterday that since the 2016 general election, in which she came out the loser by 958 votes, Labourites have been nipping at each other.
“The prime minister said we must watch the budget, keep enumerating, and watch him shoes. So I am watching his shoes. But I am ready. We feel very, very confident. There will be a general election this year and we are ready,” Duncan Sutherland said.