THERE was stunned silence in sections of St Andrew North Central on Tuesday as news broke that Government Senator Delano Seiveright had suspended his campaign to be the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate in the constituency.

But the silence soon turned to anger as vocal JLP supporters warned that they could withhold their votes in the next general election if Seiveright is not given the nod to succeed the outgoing Member of Parliament Karl Samuda as the party’s standard-bearer.

Veteran Councillor Susan Senior, who holds the Norbrook Division, told the Jamaica Observer that she was among those shocked when news came that Seiveright had suspended his campaign.

According to Senior, the leadership of the JLP has taken too long to send a clear signal as to why Seiveright was not endorsed as the candidate after he was introduced by Samuda and unanimously elected as the vice-chairman of the constituency last December.

“Having submitted his letter to the party expressing an interest in contesting the seat he started campaigning — a very successful, intimate campaign which has been accepted by the elderly, the working class, the upper class and the people in the inner city.

“Delano has a thing about him, his persona and the way he does things make him easily loved and he has a charisma that attracts people, and that is one of the traits people look for in politicians. I endorsed him, along with my senior councillor [Lee Clarke] and I would say about 90 per cent of the JLP workers and delegates in the constituency support him,” added Senior.

She told the Observer that she was at a monthly meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation when reports surfaced that Seiveright had suspended his campaign and she became bombarded with calls from people in the constituency wanting to know what was happening.

“Especially my executive, they are shocked, they are wondering what is happening, they are not happy, and they are wondering what the party is about, and what is the next move because they are saying if it is not Delano they are not going to the polls.

“So I would advise the party to hurriedly get together, sit with the workers, know where their heart lies, because the constitution that governs the party includes the democratic process of the workers in the space,” Senior said.

She added: “Workers in the space have a choice. They are the ones who hold up the banner for the Jamaica Labour Party, they are the ones who will be working Election Day, they are the ones in the space for the longest while, and they are the ones who will let the Jamaica Labour Party get the third term.”

The long-serving councillor pointed out that she was not involved in the decision by some JLP supporters in the constituency to travel to the party’s Belmont Road headquarters on Monday night to demand answers from General Secretary Dr Horace Chang about who would be its representative in the next general election.

In the meantime, JLP supporter Janice Hinds-Lake-Fray, who admitted to being part of the group that travelled to Belmont Road, was adamant that Seiveright is the people’s choice to represent them.

“If there is no Delano it has to be Susan Senior. So no matter what anybody wants to do it will be Delano or no vote,” said Hinds-Lake-Fray, who is better known in her community of Cassava Piece as Dawn.

She underscored that Seiveright had announced that his campaign was paused but not discontinued.

According to Hinds-Lake-Fray, she had decided not to vote in the next general election if Samuda was back on the JLP ticket and only changed her mind after she was convinced that Seiveright would be the right person to succeed the man who has held the seat since 1980.

“Mr Samuda gave us Delano Seiveright and I asked my councillor if this man was worthy of my vote and she said yes, so I decided to support him. Delano has been so perfect since he was introduced to this constituency and is only him I will support,” added Hinds-Lake-Fray.

In the Whitehall Division in the constituency Charlene Smith was among a number of JLP supporters demanding that Seiveright be given the nod to contest the election.

“I don’t know why Delano would suspend his campaign. People in the constituency love him and rate him and he has been all over, so what would make him suspend his campaign? If there is anyone else I am not going to vote,” declared Smith.

She admitted that she did not know Seiveright before he was introduced to the constituency last December and was elected deputy chairman.

“But since that, he has been round the community like he has been here for years, and we need Delano,” declared Smith, who described herself as a lifelong supporter of the JLP.

Seiveright, who launched his campaign to contest the seat on April 18, delivered the bombshell in a late-morning release on Tuesday in which he announced, “After careful thought and discussion, I’ve made the decision to pause the campaign. This is not a withdrawal, far from it. It’s simply a moment to allow the party the space it needs to move forward in unity and strength.”

According to Seiveright, he is grateful for the incredible support, encouragement, and energy he has received, but “I have always said: No one is bigger than the party, and certainly no one is bigger than Jamaica.

“This pause is about staying focused on the bigger picture, ensuring we’re united, disciplined, and ready for the work ahead. I remain fully committed to North Central St Andrew and to all of you. My heart is in this, and I’m still here, serving, listening, and working with you every step of the way.”

Later, responding to questions from the Observer about the disappointment his decision has triggered in the constituency, Seiveright said, “I humbly ask all delegates and workers to remain calm, patient, and focused on what truly matters — our party and our country.”

He added: “This is not about self, but about unity, discipline, and respect. I have been assured that the party will handle the matter, and I fully trust in that. I also want to express my deepest gratitude and respect to Mr and Mrs Samuda for their leadership, their decades of service, and their wise counsel. And to all of you — thank you for your kind words, advice, and unwavering support. Let’s stay grounded, stay Labourite, and move forward together.”

Seiveright has found himself in a battle royal with attorney-at-law Christian Tavares-Finson for the right to represent the JLP in the constituency.

While Seiveright seems to have captured the support of the JLP delegates on the ground, Tavares-Finson appears to have the backing of several of the top leaders in the party.

Dr Chang has already signalled that delegates will not get a chance to determine the candidate through a selection contest but the party’s leadership will use other factors to make a decision.