Some ⁠JLP Supporters Protest Decision to Replace Moreland Wilson as Candidate

A handful of supporters of Western Westmoreland member of parliament, MP, the Jamaica Labour Party’s, JLP, Moreland Wilson, mounted a protest on Tuesday against the party’s move to give Dr. Garfield James the nod to become its new standard-bearer in the constituency.

The JLP says it has referred Dr. James, Councillor for the Sheffield Division, to its Selection Committee and Central Executive.

This, following Sunday’s internal selection exercise, in which he secured the majority of votes in a contest against Wilson. It’s understood Dr. James got home by only four votes.

The move to refer Dr. James to be the standard-bearer has left some supporters of the incumbent MP upset. The group gathered outside the constituency office Tuesday morning chanting and displaying placards.

Several of them were clad in green T-shirts bearing a photo of Wilson. At least one woman in the group was clad in an orange shirt and was seen dancing.

The placards read: ‘No Moreland, No Vote!’, ‘Moreland for Western Westmoreland! No James’ and ‘One Moreland’.

They protesters chanted, “No Moreland, No Vote”.

The JLP is expected to formally ratify Dr. James’ candidacy through its Central Executive in the coming weeks, ahead of the next general elections.

Dr. James will be going up against the People’s National Party’s Ian Hayles.