FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Citing the lack of support from unnamed members of his party, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Albert Town Division in South Trelawny, Lloyd Gillings, yesterday crossed the floor to join the ruling People’s National Party (PNP).

Gillings made the move during yesterday’s sitting of the monthly meeting of the Trelawny Parish Council.

“On this day of July 11, I, councillor Lloyd Gillings of the Albert Town Division is no longer a part of the Jamaica Labour Party and would like to be a part of the PNP,” stated Gillings, who has been councillor since 2007.

He later added: “The people of the Albert Town Division deserve the best representation and I think, in my mind, in order for me to serve them as well as how I know best…the best thing for me at this time is to work with the PNP.”

Gillings’ defection triggered an exchange of barbs between independent councillor for the Lorimers Division, Paul Patmore and deputy mayor of Falmouth and JLP councillor for the Warsop Division, Colin Gager, who contended that the Albert Town councillor should step aside and give voters a say in which party representative they want for the division.

“My concern is that Councillor Gillings was elected on a Labour Party ticket. I believe integrity should come into play here. Therefore, I think that Councillor Gillings should resign as a councillor and allow the people of Albert Town to make their decision now. If their decision is that they are going to support him, we are fine with that,” said Gager, flanked by his two remaining JLP colleagues.

But Patmore fired back and accused the deputy mayor of betrayal, claiming that during the mayoral selection process in 2011, instead of voting for Gillings, who was nominated by the JLP, Gager voted for the PNP’s Garth Wilkinson.

“I think Mr Gager is out of order in asking for Mr Gillings to resign,” Patmore said. “When Mr Gager stood up in this house (Falmouth townhall) and voted for the PNP councillor, nobody had asked him to resign. He was the one who voted for the PNP [that’s why] a PNP is now mayor of Falmouth. At that time he should have been asked to resign by his colleagues,” Patmore continued.

“And for his colleagues to go and stand beside him at this time! I think it is a disgrace for them to go and stand beside him awhile ago. They have insulted the Jamaica Labour Party by just standing beside him to make a mess of himself right now.”

The Trelawny Parish Council comprises nine councillors, four JLP, four PNP and an Independent. Back in 2011, Wilkinson won the selection with a 5-3 margin. Patmore did not cast a vote in the process.

Gillings’ announcement meanwhile, was received with rousing applause and welcomed by members of the PNP, including Attorney General Patrick Atkinson — who is the MP for North Trelawny — and Youth Minister Lisa Hanna, who is the chairman of the PNP’s Region One, which constitutes the parishes of St Ann and Trelawny.