THE Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is today expected to break its silence on estranged Central Clarendon Member of Parliament Lester ‘Mike’ Henry and his decision to withdraw a second bid for chairmanship of the party.

Just last week, Henry, who is the party’s current chairman, had vehemently dismissed reports that his JLP colleagues had rejected his proposal to again run for that office when nominations open at the Central Executive meeting this week, and that Dr Horace Chang was tipped to replace him.

Yesterday, Opposition Jamaica Labour Party Senator Arthur Williams, who is also party spokesperson, said the hierarchy of the JLP would have discussed that issue, among others, at its regular Standing Committee meeting last night. He, however, declined to comment on reports that Henry had decided against seeking re-election as chairman and is to take temporary leave from official party business.

“I can’t comment, I haven’t heard anything aside from the news reports you heard. The party is to have a planning meeting tonight (last night). I suggest you hold until tomorrow (today), the party will comment then,” Senator Williams told the Observer.

However, Henry, in a statement issued just before press time, confirmed that he had withdrawn his nomination for chairmanship of the Jamaica Labour Party, effective, yesterday. Robert ‘Bobby’ Montague had been the other nominee in that race.

Henry has also confirmed that he will be taking a leave of absence from all party activities to focus fully on the needs of his Central Clarendon constituency.

“I have met with the constituency executive and the party’s general secretary, and my decision has been fully supported by the constituency. A detailed letter will be sent to party leader, Andrew Holness,” Henry said.

According to the Central Clarendon MP, “there are urgent matters to be dealt with in the constituency, such as councillor vacancies to be filled, as well as resources to meet campaign obligations for local government elections”.

He added that he was documenting all the events surrounding the last national poll.

“Meanwhile, I am preparing a chairman’s report on the December 29 general election. This report will convey my feelings on the election, as well as matters leading up to it, and will be submitted shortly,” he said yesterday.

“It is my duty to fulfil my commitment to the constituents of Central Clarendon who placed their future in my hands when they returned me as their member of Parliament in December. Matters such as the poor water supply in May Pen need urgent attention, and I will be addressing this and other issues vigorously,” Henry also noted.

In the meantime, the party chairman declared that he remained “firmly committed to the Jamaica Labour Party and will vigourously participate in parliamentary proceedings” as he has done since 1980, when first elected by Central Clarendon to be a parliamentary representative.

“I will also continue to pursue the establishment of productive youth centres equipped with computers, and with an emphasis on the creative industries. The Humble Lion Football Club and completion of the Herb McKenley Stadium, which was included as part of the plans for Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence programmes, remain among my priorities,” Henry said yesterday.