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Member of Parliament, MP, for Western Westmoreland, Morland Wilson, says his conqueror in Sunday’s delegates selection contest, Dr. Garfield James has falsely claimed that efforts have been made to have a discussion with him about the way forward in the constituency.
Dr. James told the hosts of Nationwide at Five on Tuesday that attempts have been made to speak with Wilson as part of efforts to unify Labourites in the constituency.
But Wilson sent a message during the interview, denying Dr. James’ claim.
The issue will only add fuel to the fire of those who believe the selection of Dr. James will damage any hope the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, has of retaining the seat at the next election.
Mahiri Stewart has that story.
Dr. Garfield James defeated sitting MP, Morland Wilson in Sunday’s internal selection exercise in Western Westmoreland. It’s understood that Dr. James won by only four votes.
On Monday, the JLP confirmed that it will refer James, who is the councillor for the Sheffield division, to its selection committee and central executive as the party’s candidate for the seat in the next general elections.
On Tuesday, Dr. James told Nationwide at Five, that plans are underway to reach out to MP Wilson.
However, during the interview, MP Wilson sent a voice note to our newsroom rejecting what he called lies being told by his opponent. He was strident in denying the statements made by the Dr. James.
Dr. James was then asked whether MP Wilson’s claims are true. But he struggled to answer host Sanjay Lewis.
The move to refer Dr. James to be the standard-bearer has left some supporters of the incumbent MP upset. A handful of supporters of MP Wilson, mounted a protest Tuesday morning outside the constituency 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’. The protesters chanted, “No Moreland, No Vote”.
Meanwhile, Dr. James says there can be no question about his desire to win the Western Westmoreland seat for the JLP at the next general elections.
Dr. James served as People’s National Party councillor in the Sheffield division before crossing the floor to the JLP in September 2023.
He won the division for his new party at the February 2024 local government elections.
Dr. Garfield James, winner of the JLP’s selection contest in Western Westmoreland. He was speaking on Nationwide at Five on Tuesday evening.
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