CLARENDON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Labour Party’s standard bearer for Clarendon Central, Delroy Williams praised predecessor Mike Henry on Monday as a “role model” and said he wished to continue the legacy of the now-retired former Member of Parliament.

He made the remark after being nominated as the JLP candidate for the constituency at the Grace Baptist Church on Sewell Crescent in May Pen.

“We are a party and we always show respect to our leaders, the ones who go before us. Mike Henry has been a role model for me and for many Jamaicans over the years. He is a trend setter,” Williams said. “He has distinguished himself as a leader in the constituency. He has been minister in various parts of government and has performed well… so filling the shoes is not difficult because we learned a lot from those going on before us.”

Henry represented the constituency as Member of Parliament for 45 years, having been first elected in 1980.

Party supporters shared with the Jamaica Observer their confidence that Williams will build on Henry’s legacy and expressed certainty in his leadership potential.

“We are very confident, most confident, over confident. We can’t lose the battle,” a party supporter shared. Another supporter noted that Williams is the “next Mike Henry”.

“Delroy Williams a wah next Mike Henry. Half a century we a put it to. Forty-five year Mike Henry do, Delroy ago continue,” she shared.

Williams, while expressing confidence heading into the election, acknowledged that there is still work to be done.

“We are confident but we are not taking anything for granted. It is an election and we always approach an election seriously. We don’t take the voters for granted so we are doing all that is necessary. We are engaging the voters, we are meeting them wherever they are. We are communicating our plans for the constituency,” Williams said.

Mayor of May Pen, Joel Williams, who was reportedly eyeing the seat, was among the supporters who turned out to nominate Williams. When asked about his support, he emphasised unity within the party.

“One team now, one team Jamaica Labour Party and we are going to the third term. We are going to ensure Mike Henry feels happy on the third of September,” he said.

The mayor noted that a strong legacy has been laid under Henry’s leadership and expressed full support for Williams and, by extension, the party’s push for a third term in government.

“There is no doubt we will ramp home as we normally do, so today is the warm up,” Williams said.

Delroy Williams is set to go up against Carla Watt of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Bettina Hill of the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP) in the September 3 general elections.