THE Senate is scheduled to meet tomorrow, but it is quite possible that, if it does, it will be without the majority of Opposition members unless the controversial resignation issue is settled today.

The Jamaica Observer understands that five senators have agreed to resign and give Opposition Leader Andrew Holness a free hand to choose whomever he wants to sit in the Upper House. However, two senators are sticking with their decision not to resign, and another was scheduled to meet with Holness last night before making a decision.

The five senators who are understood to have agreed to hand in their resignations are Robert Montague, Tom Tavares-Finson, Alexander Williams, Kavan Gayle, and Kamina Johnson Smith.

Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte was scheduled to meet Holness at his office last night, and there was some hope that she would share the view of the majority and resign. But there was nothing to indicate that she would.

However, the focus will be on the two most prominent Opposition senators who seem determined not to give up their seats and to challenge any attempt by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader to unseat them. They are Leader of Opposition Business Arthur Williams and former shadow cabinet spokesman Dr Christopher Tufton.

Senator Williams told the Jamaica Observer last night that he plans to attend the Senate tomorrow and participate in the proceedings as Leader of Opposition Business.

“Senate doesn’t need all the members to form a quorum; only eight members form a quorum,” he said last night. “As far as I know, I am still the Leader of Opposition Business,” Williams said, when asked whether he would be carrying out the functions of that position.

Senator Tufton confirmed that he had a private meeting with Holness, Tuesday night, and he detected no attempt to coerce him into resigning.

Asked whether he would be in Parliament tomorrow, Tufton said, “I expect to be in the Senate on Friday”.

JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang said that Holness would issue a statement by today to clarify all the issues and his position on all the matters.

Chang, meanwhile, confirmed that nominations for various posts within the party will be accepted by November 23, and that the central executive would make a decision on December 1. He also denied reports that he would not seek re-election as general secretary of the party. “It is certainly not an issue,” Chang stated.

He said that after the Central Executive meeting he expected a “united and strong JLP” to re-emerge.

JLP Treasurer Karl Samuda also dismissed speculation that he would give up that position to seek Chang’s position of general secretary. “It’s absolute nonsense. It’s coming from somebody’s overworked imagination,” Samuda responded.

Newly appointed Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives Derrick Smith, who lost to current JLP Chairman Robert Montague last time, said that he was contemplating another challenge, based on calls supporting his candidacy. “I have not decided in my own mind as yet, but based on the intensity of the calls, I will have to give it some consideration,” Smith said.