JLP MP Gregory Mair steps aside
JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament Gregory Mair will not be going up for re-election in his St Catherine North Eastern seat, following this week’s decision to resign as constituency chairman with immediate effect.
His resignation letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Jamaica Observer, comes a few months after he complained that he was being undermined in the seat by party member Sharon Hay-Webster.
“…Consequently I therefore will not be contesting the next general elections. I will serve out my term as member of parliament,” Mair said in a letter to JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang, which was copied to Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and party Chairman Robert Montague.
“I have served the party for over 12 continuous years, including two terms as member of parliament, and feel it is time for me to now concentrate more on my family and my business as these years of public service and sacrifice has taken its toll on both,” the letter stated.
Mair, who is in his mid-50s, said he consulted with family and friends before arriving at the decision.
He could not be reached yesterday for comment.
However, JLP sources said Hay-Webster’s presence in Mair’s constituency and the failure of the party’s leadership to adequately address the matter played a critical role in his decision to quit representational politics.
Hay-Webster had, in April, admitted to applying to the JLP to run for Mair’s seat. She, however, denied campaigning in the constituency.
“No one can blame Gregory for his decision. It is a practical decision based on the inaction of the leadership of the party to address his concerns,” a senior JLP member told the Jamaica Observer.
“Why should Gregory have to fight factions of the JLP and the [People’s National Party] to retain his seat after being given so many undertakings by the leader and the general secretary to get Sharon Hay-Webster and her cronies out of the seat?” the JLP member added.
“He has been deliberately undermined and has taken a principled decision. It will be very interesting to see who will be put to replace Gregory, and that will tell the whole story,” said another senior member.
Chang was also not available for comment yesterday.
Contacted about the matter, Hay-Webster said: “That’s an internal matter for the party and I have no comment at this time.”
