JLP selection for Clarendon North Western heating up

Attorney Corey Dunkley says he is not too concerned that some powerful Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) forces in Clarendon North Western are not supporting him as tensions rise over who should represent the ruling party in the next general election due by September.

Dunkley believes his grass-roots efforts and family ties will secure his success.

Two JLP councillors in the constituency, along with a councillor-caretaker, have publicly endorsed Warren Newby, 47, a former senator and junior minister admired for managing campaigns that helped send three JLP members to Gordon House. Dunkley and Newby are the leading contenders.

Dunkley, 31, has acknowledged the importance of support from top local party officials.

“Their support would have been very helpful to me. However, based on my work in the constituency, I can see they’re supporting someone else. To me, this could either be detrimental or beneficial,” he told The Gleaner on Saturday.

Just last night, Newby received a rousing welcome at a JLP Area Council Three meeting in Manchester, an indication of his broad support.

Central Manchester MP Rhoda Moy Crawford was among supporters who lifted Newby in celebration.

“I have been, since I was a teenager, an activist for the Jamaica Labour Party. I have never wavered and it matters not what happens, I will still remain in the fold,” he said without commenting directly on the Clarendon North Western situation.

On Saturday, Dunkley insisted that with further work, “opinions” on who to support may change.

“So I don’t really have too much of a concern [for] the state of favourableness of me to the councillors at the moment.”

The seat is currently held by the JLP’s Phillip Henriques, who has announced that he will not seek re-election due to personal and business reasons.

Henriques, however, lost the confidence of the party leadership in the constituency, with many accusing him of neglecting the area’s infrastructure and farming needs. He has rejected the claims, pointing to his work, especially in educational assistance, and said some of the JLP critics are pursuing “political agendas”.

Clive Mundle, councillor for the Frankfield division; Collin Henry, councillor for the Thompson Town division; Kamiel Marshall, councillor-caretaker for the Ritchies division; and Courtney Bandoo, a former divisional caretaker, have all criticised Henriques and pledged loyalty to Newby. Henry said, however, that he has applied to be the representative.

“If he was supposed to give us a trophy for worst-performing MP (member of parliament), I think he would win that trophy. And I make no apology for it. The party knows about it,” said Mundle, who argued that the JLP should have settled the representation two years ago.

Though supporting Henry’s application, Mundle said if it came down to Dunkley and Newby, he would fully back Newby as the better choice to help the party retain the seat, which has grown more competitive since 2002.

“Newby has been in this constituency since 2007. He was the campaign manager for Michael Stern, who was successful in that election in 2007. So the people already know him. ... . I think, if given the chance, the people will gravitate to him better than anyone else,” Mundle told The Gleaner last week.

A political newbie

Mundle and Henry have cast Dunkley as a political newbie, who they do not know much about.

“I’ve never met Dunkley,” said Mundle. According to Henry, Newby “has more political experience”.

Dunkley has fired back, however, suggesting that he has been working in the constituency for almost a year.

“It may be because they’re not taking note of my actual actions and achievements within the constituency as yet, which is understandable,” he said, pointing to the provision of care packages and hosting events such as back-to-school treats.

“As time goes on, it will be impossible to ignore it.”

Dunkley also highlighted his family’s deep roots in the constituency.

“My family is very, very big in the constituency,” he stated, noting that his grandfather, Gladstone Dunkley, was a councillor for the Frankfield division in the 1980s. His uncle, Kenrick Dunkley, once represented Thompson Town. Another uncle, Errol Dunkley, served as MP for Clarendon North Central from 1989-1993.

“My overall strategy will be the same approach I take as an attorney: listen to all the issues, work out solutions, make plans, and implement them,” said Dunkley on what he would do if given the opportunity to represent the constituents.

When asked if he had the support of the outgoing MP, Dunkley replied, “I cannot comment.”

A businessman who identified himself as a JLP delegate and member of Dunkley’s team, said he would encourage Dunkley to run as an independent to “mash up” the constituency if he was not selected as the representative.

“I don’t know if he would go with my view ... [but] when you spend your hard-earned money helping people and den di same people dem turn their back on you, you haffi just turn yuh back pon dem,” he said while declining to be named.

JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang stated on Friday that an update on the selection process may be forthcoming this week. The representative will go up against former MP Richard Azan of the Opposition People’s National Party.

Newby, who JLP insiders believe has been punished and kept away from top positions for supporting Dr Andrew Holness’ rival for party leadership over a decade ago, has declined to comment.

jovan.johnson@gleanerjm.com