LUCEA, Hanover — People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding has downplayed the significance of Comrades switching sides to the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“The way I see the switching thing, you know we better off when who don’t really belong wid wi go weh dem fi go,” said Golding as he addressed a PNP Hanover Western constituency conference and office opening in Lucea on Sunday.

In recent times some disgruntled Comrades have walked away from the PNP in what they’ve claimed was a switch to the better party.

Among them are turncoats Craig Oates, who was aspiring to be the PNP standard-bearer in Hanover Eastern in the next general election, and Kenroy Calame, who was hoping to represent the Cauldwell Division of the Hanover Municipal Corporation — a division now held by mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels. Oates and Calame made public their switch during a JLP Hanover Eastern constituency workers’ meeting and appreciation ceremony.

But a defiant Golding on Sunday argued that it is best for those who are not in support of the PNP to go where they will feel comfortable.

“We don’t like when people deh mongst wi and dem nuh ready for we. So, if you’re not for we, just go where you feel comfortable. We alright man, because we’re marching on to progress. Blood and fire, Comrades,” declared Golding in what was a seeming response to a claim by Oates that other PNP supporters had switched allegiance but had not gone public as yet.

Whispers in political circles had suggested that former Hanover Western aspirant Dr Garfield Chapman had also decided to join the JLP after he failed in his bid to be the PNP standard-bearer for the constituency.

In a run-off, PNP delegates gave the nod to Heatha Miller Bennett, sparking claims that a disgruntled Chapman would swap his PNP orange shirt for JLP green garb.

On Sunday Golding greeted Chapman on the stage, and the well known medical doctor was quick to declare that he remains firmly in the PNP camp.

“Comrades, Comrades, Comrades, sorry to cut the big boss speech still, but rumours are spreading that I and I switched. I can never switch. I was born, grew up, and come from Lucea — PNP by birth. Never switch, never switch,” said Chapman.

Hanover Western was held by the PNP for more than 30 years before a massive upset by the JLP’s Tamika Davis in the 2020 General Election.

Davis polled 6,028 votes to defeat the PNP’s Ian Hayles who polled 4,999 votes in one of the many shock results from that general election.

Prior to 2020 the JLP last held the Hanover Western seat between 1980 and 1989 when current JLP General Secratary Dr Horace Chang was elected.