Dear Editor,

I write to express grave concern about the internal fracture currently threatening the stability and electoral future of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the Westmoreland Western constituency — a seat of great political and symbolic value to the Andrew Holness Administration and Jamaica’s progress.

It has been officially noted that the JLP Secretariat will be recommending Dr Garfield James to represent the party in the upcoming general election as Member of Parliament (MP). However, this announcement has triggered widespread disappointment and unrest among the constituents and grass roots supporters, many of whom view this move as unjust and premature.

Let us not forget the significant role of the sitting MP, Moreland Wilson, whose efforts and leadership broke the People’s National Party’s (PNP) over 30-year hold on this constituency. His tireless work, community engagement, and strategic focus delivered a monumental victory for the JLP. That victory was not only historic but hard-earned.

It was Wilson who welcomed both Ian Myles and Dr Garfield James into the fold, after they were sidelined and left adrift — allegedly due to issues surrounding their loyalty to their then party the PNP. Yet, in the spirit of unity, Wilson embraced and campaigned with them as brothers and helped them into victory for the JLP. Today, that gesture of goodwill is being met with what I deem to be betrayal.

The individuals orchestrating the campaign to pit Dr James against Wilson were once considered to be among his closest allies. They know themselves. But driven by what appears to be entitlement and an unwillingness to wait their turn, they chose instead to divide the party. They saw that Wilson would not simply hand over power without merit or fairness, and so they abandoned principle and formed a rift that now threatens to unravel everything. Morland started his political career on the JLP side of the political arena, not the PNP’s, we must never forget that. Never!

Meanwhile, the PNP is regaining momentum, with MP-aspirant Ian Hales actively reconnecting with the constituency. As the Labour Party becomes increasingly fragmented in Westmoreland Western, the Opposition becomes more organised, more focused, and more attractive to the electorate.

This is not just a political mistake — it is a moral one. The party must recognise the cost of disunity. We, therefore, urge the secretariat and central executives of the JLP to take the current protests and concerns seriously. If they fail to address what is happening on the ground, the party risks losing this seat — possibly for another generation.

In this holy period of Easter, when the Christian world reflects on sacrifice, denial, and betrayal — when Judas turned against Christ and Peter denied Him — it is painful to see a similar spirit of betrayal emerging from Team James towards the man who took them in and showed them respect and dignity. This act, in such a season, only deepens the sting of disloyalty.

As we say in Jamaica, “Don’t dash weh yuh tick until yuh cross di river.” In other words, do not abandon the one who has carried you this far before the journey is complete. Wilson has not failed the party. The party, however, now stands at risk of failing him — and failing Westmoreland Western .

The people are watching. The people are speaking. Westmoreland Western demands better. We demand justice, unity, and fairness. The future of this seat — and the credibility of the JLP in this constituency — depends on how this situation is handled.

Jacques Gregy

jakeygregy@gmail.com