KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two of the longest serving Members of Parliament, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Mike Henry and Karl Samuda will not be contesting the next general election, while a selection process will be held after the party’s annual conference on Sunday to replace another long-serving member, Audley Shaw, in Manchester North Eastern.

This was revealed by JLP general secretary Dr Horace Chang at the party’s Belmont Road office in Kingston on Thursday morning during a press briefing to outline plans for its annual conference.

Eighty-two-year-old Samuda, who has held several Cabinet ministries, has represented St Andrew North Central as its Member of Parliament for over 40 years, and repeatedly won the seat despite crossing the floor.

Similarly, 89-year-old Henry has also been in representational politics since 1980, holding tight to his Clarendon Central seat.

However, their exit won’t affect the labour party’s chances at winning the next general election, Chang said.

“Both constituencies are strong, both are stable and have effective organisation so we don’t have a challenge in identifying a flag-bearer at any point in time,” he sought to assure.

Reflecting on the ongoing race in Manchester for Shaw’s seat, Chang said it reflected the ‘energy’ in the constituency.