‘Cheers to the new chapter’
Longmore expresses gratitude for two terms in the Senate; assures she’s ‘still here for Jamaica’
“It’s all good” was the reaction of psychiatrist Dr Saphire Longmore to not being reappointed as a Government Senator after two stints in the Upper House.
In a post to her social media page Wednesday night ahead of Parliament’s ceremonial reopening on Thursday, a beaming Longmore said, “Hey Jamaica, just here processing my new chapter, not being appointed, reappointed to the Senate; it’s all good, I’ve served two terms, two terms, eight/nine years is a lot of time and contributed to over 200/250 pieces of legislation.”
In detailing more of her contribution Longmore, who waded into politics in 2011, said, “I was able to effect some integral work representing Jamaica in a couple capacities, and so forth. So yeah, gratitude to the prime minister for appointing me, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and you know, at the end of the day it’s a new phase, it’s a new chapter that the universe is opening up and we’ll see where it goes and I’m still here for Jamaica, I’m still here to see that unique path and follow it.”
“Yup, so cheers to the new chapter,” she ended.
Longmore, a former Miss Jamaica Universe and breast cancer survivor, runs a private practice and is a consultant psychiatrist at The University of the West Indies.
She entered politics as the candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in St Andrew Eastern in the 2011 General Election. In 2016 she was nominated as the JLP candidate in St Elizabeth North Eastern.
On Thursday, several individuals responded to Longmore’s video with one person stating simply “thanks for your service”.
Another said, “You precious, thank you for your continuing influence and support. Your service and contributions have benefited those you represent and so many others are grateful for you.”
Another individual wrote, “Blessings for the contributions and sacrifices you have made for your people and its domino effect for the people of the Caribbean. You have cemented a phenomenal legacy and we are all the better for it. Highest commendations.”
“Thank you for the work you have done for Jamaica and the party,” another follower wrote, while another individual said, “You have contributed great Dr Longmore, one JLP, one family.”
Heading the 13-member slate of Government senators sworn in on Thursday was King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson, who was reappointed president of the Senate. Other returning Government senators were: Kamina Johnson Smith, Charles Sinclair, Aubyn Hill, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, Sherene Golding Campbell, Kavan Gayle, Abka Fitz-Henley, Marlon Morgan, and Dr Elon Thompson, alongside newcomers attorneys Rose Marie Bennett-Cooper, Christian Tavares-Finson and JMMB Group CEO Keith Duncan.
