People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Andrew North Central, Christopher Henry says he stands ready to welcome upset Labourites amid a rift in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over a replacement for long-serving Member of Parliament Karl Samuda as the party representative.

Henry encouraged constituents to break from partisan patterns and consider that the constituency, he claimed, has been underrepresented for well over a year.

“It is no secret, Mr Samuda hasn’t been around for a while and the people of North Central desperately need representation. Even as the war of who will get the seat wages on, we have heard a lot from Mrs Samuda but very little from Mr Samuda— he’s clearly missing in action,” Henry told Observer Online.

“What this highlights is the scant regard shown to the people of North Central. It seems the JLP are banking on the fact that the constituency is considered a safe seat and will just shove someone in the last minute and, expect that the people will vote for that person simply because they represent the party,” he added.

People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Andrew North Central, Christopher Henry (centre) tours the constituency.

The seat is being vacated by the veteran Samuda after nearly 45 years. Samuda, who is 83 years-old, is bowing out of representational politics. He’s reportedly backing Senator Delano Seiveright who was elected vice chairman of the constituency last November.

However, a growing rift has developed within the Andrew Holness-led party as attorney-at-law Christian Tavares-Finson has also declared his interest in the JLP safe seat. Christian is the son of prominent attorney, Tom Tavares-Finson, who is also president of the Senate and a reported Holness loyalist.

Last week, Seiveright suspended his campaign “to allow the party the space it needs to move forward in unity”, but his backers have warned that they could withhold their votes in the next general election if he is not given the nod to succeed Samuda.

READ: Delano’s decision rocks St Andrew NC

Henry shared that irrespective of the outcome of the JLP selection process, constituents will have the power to chart a new path going forward.

“The PNP sees the people of North Central as a priority. And I didn’t just come into this constituency to work when I launched my campaign in August 2023. I was born and raised in this constituency,” said Henry.

“It is alarming to me that in 2025 places in this constituency don’t have water. Even without the title of MP I decided that simply couldn’t work. I decided to get the work done. Not only have I been out in the community hearing the issues, I am here solving them. Plus I have well-thought out plans and fresh ideas on how to move the constituency forward,” he added.

According to Henry, the core of his plans for St Andrew North Central are aimed at empowering constituents, while improving the necessary infrastructure needed to allow for independence and progress.

“My plan is to really target the youth, connecting them with the right resources that can propel them in the direction of nation building,” he said.

“People empowerment really relies and is connected to investment in community infrastructure such as roads, schools and clinics; I want to invest heavily in the maintenance of those structures so people have some core things that make them comfortable and able to thrive,” he added