JLP yet to settle on Shaw’s successor
Published:Sunday | May 25, 2025 | 12:11 AMJovan Johnson - Senior Staff Reporter
As a general election draws closer, calls are intensifying within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to resolve its representation in the Manchester North Eastern constituency, where internal friction and whispers of a high-profile outsider continue to stir unease.
Two declared aspirants – Holmwood Technical High Principal Hidran McKulsky and Craighead Division Councillor Omar Miller – have expressed frustration over the party’s delay in naming a standard-bearer. Both have pledged to support whoever is chosen, but signs of strain remain.
Tensions first surfaced publicly in November 2024 when outgoing Member of Parliament Audley Shaw endorsed Miller at a constituency conference in Christiana, catching some party insiders off guard and fuelling speculation of a rift. Shaw, who has held the seat since 1993, praised Miller’s 14-year tenure as councillor and deep community ties.
“I can tell you, as a member of parliament, Omar has been totally supportive of me and learning at my feet ... something would be wrong with me if I did not support Omar,” Shaw told the audience, drawing loud applause.
Both men, speaking separately with The Sunday Gleaner on May 20, stressed unity, saying they were deferring to the party’s leadership for a final decision. McKulsky, who earlier appeared enthusiastic about representing the party, has since moderated his tone.
“The party met with both aspirants … and has expressed a certain direction within which they would want to go as it relates to the settling of the constituency,” McKulsky said. “We understand that the party is bigger than all of us … and so I – and I’m assuming that my colleague Omar Miller – we’re just allowing the party to do what it would have indicated it wants to do.”
Pressed on whether he was still actively seeking the JLP’s nod, McKulsky said only, “I really don’t want to go into any other details other than what I would have shared … . The party indicated to us a course of action … and I am in support of that proposition.”
However, McKulsky’s absence from that Christiana conference did not go unnoticed. A statement released at the time on his behalf claimed that he was not invited to any planning meetings and was deliberately excluded, suggesting a “deliberate plan to keep McKulsky away from the workers and voters”.
Miller has offered a similarly cautious but supportive tone.
“The party has a leadership structure, and that leadership structure has not yet made a decision,” he said. “And so I will not behave as if it is my right to be the representative. However, I remain hopeful that the party sees it fit to choose me.”
Both men insist that once a final decision is made, unity will prevail.
“I am a Labourite and no man is above the party, and if it is that it is the direction that the party wishes to go, I would have to support because I have to put the party first all the time,” Miller said.
McKulsky echoed that sentiment, stating, “I will continue to work in the constituency and support whomever the party chooses as that person.”
The delay in naming a candidate has raised concern among some supporters, especially in the wake of a shock defeat for the JLP in the Christiana Division during the February 2024 local government elections – a traditionally strong JLP base in Manchester North Eastern.
“There is no direct leadership … coordinating the business of the party in the constituency,” McKulsky acknowledged. “But I’m sure as soon as the party makes an announcement, … the people will rally their support around the Jamaica Labour Party candidate.”
Miller was more forthright.
“It is indeed tedious at this time for us because we have been waiting,” he said. “The constituency, the voters on a whole, they are somewhat a little bit concerned at this time and so whatever the party has to do to move forward, I think we have to do it like now, ASAP.”
Implications of the
Christiana result
McKulsky downplayed the implications of the Christiana result and whether the People’s National Party’s representative Valenton Wint could snatch a PNP win for the first time since 1989.
“It was not a victory or a real win for the PNP. It was more of the JLP finding itself in a position where there were some uncertainties around the person who had gone up… quite a number of persons did not come out to vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, speculation has intensified that the JLP may parachute in a high-profile figure. One name gaining traction is Ambassador Audrey Marks, who recently returned from a nearly decade-long posting as Jamaica’s envoy to the US.
At a Gleaner Editors’ Forum on May 15, JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang acknowledged Marks – now a senator and minister in the Office of the Prime Minister – is among those who could be considered.
“She’s also a member of the Upper House … and all members of the Upper House could be examined if they wished to go to the Lower House,” Chang said.
Asked directly whether Marks is being examined, he responded, “She’ll have to make up her own mind. I’m not sure if she has … . She is someone who could go to the Lower House at some point in time ... . She’s in Parliament. I suspect she would not mind being in the House. I’ve not asked her yet...”
Other names, including businessman Courtney Murray, have also been floated.
Chang acknowledged the buzz surrounding Marks.
“She’s the former ambassador, she’s quite well known, she’s respected, and a successful businesswoman … . The workers look for people of that background so their names will be called.”
Chang was careful to note that no final decision had been made.
“I think the people up there are looking at several ministers, quite frankly. And I’ve been told that but I wouldn’t call name,” he said. “They (workers) distinctly have said they would vote for the local candidate, if not, but they would like to see somebody like Shaw back in the seat. That’s normal reaction to people who feel that if they have a minister, they’re better off.”
A response is being sought from Marks, who is said to be reluctant but is being encouraged to consider a run.
The vacuum left by Shaw – one of the JLP’s longest-serving MPs – has created anxiety. Known locally as ‘Man a Yaad’, Shaw was a former finance minister who lost a bitter leadership challenge to Andrew Holness over a decade ago, a contest still seen as influential in current JLP dynamics.
With no candidate named, and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) already confirming its full slate of 63 standard-bearers, the JLP faces increasing pressure.
Chang, however, downplayed the urgency.
“My cut-off time is the week before nomination,” he said bluntly when asked when the JLP will name all its 63 representatives.