ST JAMES, Jamaica — As expected, Andrew Holness was on Saturday unanimously ratified as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) during a private session at the Montego Convention Centre in St James. Embattled Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North Western, JC Hutchinson was also returned.

“There were no other nominations outside of that of party leader Andrew Holness. The delegates today confirm and endorse the leadership of Andrew Holness as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and also endorse his performance as prime minister of Jamaica,” conference chairman Desmond McKenzie said during a press conference after the private session wrapped up.

The party also selected deputy leaders for the four area councils across the island.

McKenzie was returned as deputy leader for Area Council One; Member of Parliament for St Thomas Western, James Robertson was returned for Area Council Two; former Member of Parliament for Clarendon North West, Michael Stern replaced former Clarendon South Eastern Member of Parliament Rudyard Spencer for Area Council Three; and Hutchinson was returned for Area Council Four.

Hutchinson survived despite coming under fire after the Integrity Commission (IC) tabled a damning report, in October, on what it described as “appalling conduct” and impropriety in Hutchinson’s role as a public servant with the responsibility to act with fairness and transparency in discharging his duties. The report said the MP had recommended his intimate partner of 32 years, Lola Marshall Williams, for appointment to the board of five publicly funded schools within his constituency on at least 11 occasions since 2008. This is despite multiple documented objections from stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education’s regional director and the principal of the schools.

This was the second time in two years that Hutchinson was being named for misconduct in public office. In 2020, he was stripped of his long-standing post as agriculture state minister due to a controversial land divestment deal with Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited.

In October this year, the IC’s director of investigations, Kevon Stephenson, urged Holness, in his role as prime minister, and the speaker of the House of Representatives to sanction Hutchinson for his conduct in light of the damage to public confidence which his actions may have caused.

However the JLP’s response has been that Hutchinson had already been punished by the party.

With Saturday’s selections now out of the way, those of other JLP officers are expected to take place during the party’s first central executive meeting. The date of that meeting was not disclosed but it will be when the posts of chairman, deputy chairman, general secretary, deputy general secretary, among others, will be filled.

On Saturday, McKenzie said all 63 constituencies were represented with close to 98 per cent of delegates participating. He said during the private session, Holness used the opportunity to address issues of importance to the country, the success of the party and the Government he leads.

“He spoke on crime, he spoke on education, he spoke about the garbage situation, he spoke about the general life of the Jamaican people and the intent of the party as a Government in our second term, and he will outline it in detail [during the conference],” said McKenzie.

Internal party housekeeping matters and other issues surrounding the country were also discussed, McKenzie said.

He also spoke of what is to come at the party’s annual conference.

On Sunday, Westmoreland will be hosting its parish conference at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar. The JLP’s 79th annual conference will be held next week Sunday at the National Arena. It has a $50-million price tag.

“Come next week Sunday I can invite the country to spend some time to sit and listen to, probably, what is likely to be one of the best presentations that will ever be made during the public session of any political party conference in this country,” he predicted.