MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Following over a year of speculation as to whether he will be seeking re-election, three-decade Member of Parliament for Manchester North East Audley Shaw has confirmed his departure from representational politics.

“I will not be seeking re-election. I’m the longest serving MP for the Parish of Manchester. On March 30 this year. I’ve served 31 years. Winston Jones of the PNP had the record before me. He served 25 years. I am now senior to him by six years,” he told Observer Online via WhatsApp on Saturday, a day ahead of the constituency’s conference.

All eyes are now focused on whether Shaw will on Sunday night endorse an aspirant for the seat as his successor.

Hidran McKulsky, an educator and principal of Holmwood Technical, and Craighead division Councillor Omar Miller, have both expressed interest in replacing Shaw.

Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern Audley Shaw (right) poses with a certificate of appreciation in November 2023 at his constituency conference. To his left are current aspirants for the constituency Craighead Councillor Omar Miller and educator Hidran McKulsky. ( Photo: Kasey Williams)

Miller, in paying tribute at the funeral service of former councillor for the Walderston division Lerpy ‘Lizzy’ Mitchell on Saturday, suggested that he wants to replace Shaw.

“North East Manchester and my good PNP councillors we in the north here may have lost the battle, but PM if you put North East Manchester in the right hands going forward we will never lose the war,” he said evoking cheers from the congregation.

However, minutes later, when McKulsky took the podium, he too suggested his intention to replace Shaw.

“As someone who has the ambition to serve in Government one day. There are three things I will take from Mr Lizzy – his vision, his political astuteness and his servanthood,” he said.

“I concur with my friend Councillor Miller that the prime minister ought to ensure that the constituency is placed in the right hand,” added McKulsky.

Last year at the constituency’s conference in November, Shaw reflected on his three-decade tenure as Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern and ended his 20-minute speech urging labourites to pray for him and his then three councillors.

“I have enjoyed the journey and I have done my best to assist as many people as possible and the job continues, so I appreciate your prayers. Pray for man a yaad. Pray for the councillors,” he said at that time.

“I could have been more than 30 years, but I have a story to tell you. I lost the first election in 1989. The man who beat me, Calvin Lyn, is an undertaker… he beat me by 189 votes,” Shaw said as he pointed to his political journey.

Calvin Lyn, a former member of the People’s National Party, served one-term as MP in the constituency and three terms as councillor for the Christiana Division.

Shaw said that having won all three divisions in the constituency in 1990 he prepared the JLP to firmly control the seat.

“When I took away all three seats (divisions) in the parish council election, I went and I had a little word with Calvin and I said since this a gwan now, nuh bother run again, mek me and you mek an agreement. You take care of the dead and I take care of the living,” Shaw said, evoking laughter from his audience.

Manchester North East, which consists of three divisions namely Christiana, Walderston and Craighead, is again eyed by the PNP with its representative Valenton Wint returning.

Wint has thrice contested parliamentary elections on behalf of the PNP. He lost each time. He was defeated by Shaw in Manchester North Eastern in 2011 and 2016 and by Zavia Mayne (JLP) in St Ann South Western in 2020.

Miller, who is also minority leader in the PNP controlled Manchester Municipal Corporation, is the only member of the JLP who won his division in the constituency in the February 2024 Local Government election.

– Kasey Williams