KINGSTON, Jamaica — Paula Kerr-Jarrett this afternoon told the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) that she is stepping away from representational politics and said that while the decision was one of the most difficult she has had to make, it was best for the people of Eastern Hanover as her private business was proving to be a distraction from her primary role as a political representative.

Here is her full statement: Today, January 25th, 2014, after communicating my intentions to the party through its General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang, I met with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) constituency executive of Eastern Hanover and conveyed my intentions to resign as caretaker for the constituency.

My decision has been perhaps one of the most difficult decisions I have faced. Over the past three years, from the day following my election loss, I have shown my commitment to the people of Eastern Hanover, as I continued to spend time, energy and resources in my efforts to improve the lives of those lacking opportunity. My ongoing presence in the constituency has allowed me to develop a special relationship and connection with the those living in the constituency and this has in fact made my decision to leave representational politics a much harder one. However , there is never a “perfect” time to make a hard decision, and after much thought and consultations with my family and others who have supported me in my efforts, I truly believe that this is the right decision for me and MORE IMPORTANTLY is in the best interests of the people of Eastern Hanover.

In the last year it has become necessary for me to be more active in my family business which involves a large amount of overseas travel as well as providing critical support for my children who are studying overseas. These private business efforts, although contributing in a large way to the prosperity of the western region, potentially providing some 1,000 jobs by the end of this year, have from a constituency perspective, proven to be a distraction from what I thought would be my primary role over the next few years, that of directly serving the people of Eastern Hanover. As a result, I find myself unable to give the time and attention I feel is critical to truly be a worthy representative.

Therefore, in light of this, I would like to thank the members of my management team and executive and party workers who have supported me over the last three years and the people of Eastern Hanover who gave me the opportunity to speak on their behalf. Finally, I would like to make clear, that despite my withdrawal from active politics, as a patriotic Jamaican, with my country’s best interests at the forefront of all my endeavors, I remain committed to Jamaica’s economic growth and development. My wish is that we work together as one nation to put our country FIRST, as I intend to continue to do, contributing wherever possible to Jamaica’s success as a nation.