NEW MARKET, St Elizabeth — Veteran Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) politician and Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Western JC Hutchinson made it clear Wednesday that he intends to continue in representational politics come the next parliamentary elections.

There have been suggestions in political circles in recent times that Hutchinson, who has been MP for St Elizabeth North Western since 1997, may be contemplating walking away with elections constitutionally due in two years’ time. But Hutchinson put paid to such talk at a road-opening, ribbon-cutting ceremony in New Market.

“I just want to let everyone in this constituency know that my term for running just begin. Dem think mi done, but mi jus’ a come…,” Hutchinson said to loud cheers and shouts of “shower!”

Speaking in the presence of JLP Chairman and Minister of Transport Bobby Montague, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony, Hutchinson said he had been energised by the performance of the Andrew Holness-led Government which took power in early 2016.

“Because for what has happened in the last two years we (JLP) are on a momentum, and when bell ring and school call, we want to know all of us ready and we going to be going out there to let all who might want to come against me, let them know don’t test I…,” said Hutchinson to loud cheers.

Asked by the Jamaica Observer as to whether he had set himself any timelines for quitting politics, Hutchinson said “we will wait and see”.

Hutchinson, who is currently minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries, first entered representational politics in 1980, winning the St Elizabeth North Eastern seat which he held until 1989.

Wednesday’s road opening celebrated last year’s completion of extensive rehabilitation work on 12 kilometres of road between Middle Quarters and New Market.

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is yet to name a candidate for St Elizabeth North Western. However, PNP sources say New Market native, Dr Garfield Blake, a university professor currently based in Florida, is the front runner.

— Garfield Myers