MP Robert Chin Defiant Amid Councillor’s Leaked Plot to Overthrow Him

The member of parliament, MP, for South Manchester, Robert Chin, is disputing claims that his neglect of constituents has compromised his ability to win the seat at the next general election.

This after a recording emerged of the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, councillor for the Grove Town division in the constituency, Iceval ‘Cherry’ Brown encouraging labourites to agitate for a new standard-bearer in the seat.

There have been consistent rumblings in the constituency, with a significant number of labourites unconvinced that Chin is strong enough to repel the expected challenge from the People’s National Party’s, PNP, Peter Bunting, come election day.

More in this report from Colliecia Wright.

In the voice recording, which was sent via WhatsApp to a fellow labourite, Councillor Brown says it’s clear the JLP hierarchy has serious doubts about Chin’s ability to retain the seat.

Chin was among a clutch of surprise winners on general election night, September 3, 2020.

[CutID: Iceval-Brown-Beating-Robert-Chin-March-12_-2025.mp3
Time: 27s
Title: Iceval-Brown-Beating-Robert-Chin-March-12_-2025
Out-cue: ]

Councillor Brown says Chin has a bad relationship with the two JLP councillors and their caretaker colleagues in South Manchester.

The JLP control the Grove Town and Porus divisions, while the PNP hold the Newport and Alligator Pond Divisions.

There are reports that businessman Adion Peart, nephew of former PNP MPs Dean and Michael Peart, is keen to represent the JLP in South Manchester.

But Councillor Brown says a businessman, Ian Ives from Alligator Pond, is best equipped to beat Robert Chin in any selection race.

[CutID: Iceval Brown outlines prospects – March 12, 2025EDIT.mp3
Time: 33s
Title: Iceval Brown outlines prospects – March 12, 2025EDIT
Out-cue: ]

Robert Chin’s suitability to front another election campaign for the JLP in South Manchester will be tested in a leadership contest set for March 16. It’s still unclear who his challenger or challengers will be.

Meanwhile our news centre contacted Robert Chin and asked him to respond to the sentiments expressed by Councillor Iceval Brown in the leaked voice note.

The first term MP is rejecting the claim that his own conduct is the reason for the bad blood between himself and the JLP’s local representatives in South Manchester.

[CutID: Robert Chin – ludicrous councillors – March 12, 2025.mp3
Time: 36s
Title: Robert Chin – ludicrous councillors – March 12, 2025
Out-cue: ]

Chin beat the PNP’s Michael Stewart by 8-hundred and 90 votes in the 2020 general election.

He says now is the time for key JLP operatives in the seat to support him rather than use their energy to try and overthrow him.

[CutID: Robert Chin – election focus – March 12, 2025.mp3
Time: 30s
Title: Robert Chin – election focus – March 12, 2025
Out-cue: ]

Robert Chin, MP for South Manchester, speaking with Nationwide News.