Labourities riding westJLP forgoes customary public rally at National Arena for scaled-down conference in MoBay
NO National Arena spectacle, no sea of supporters bussed from across the island, no grand public rally.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will again scale back its 2026 annual conference, opting for a delegates-only business meeting in Montego Bay on November 15.
JLP Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie, who announced the decision at a media conference at the party’s headquarters on Belmont Road in New Kingston on Friday, said the party recognised that although thousands of Jamaicans had received assistance through the Government’s response in the wake of Hurricane Melissa one year ago, much more needs to be done.
“In that vein of recognising the moment and the mood of a section of the country, in respect of our annual conference we have chosen to forgo the usual spectacle which we have had at the National Arena in Kingston,” said McKenzie.
He said the annual conference will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James, beginning at approximately 10 am, with about 6,000 delegates expected to attend.
The decision means there will be no customary mass public meeting, with the party saying it wants to show solidarity with Jamaicans who are still struggling more than a year after the Category 5 storm, particularly those in western Jamaica which was among the areas hardest hit.
According to McKenzie, the decision to scale down the conference was based on a recommendation from the party’s officers, which was approved by its central executive, with the conference instead taking the form of a business session to address internal party matters, political issues, and its role in the recovery effort.
McKenzie explained that prime minister and Party Leader Dr Andrew Holness is expected to address the conference at approximately 1:30 pm, with his speech to be open to the media and broadcast live.
But, McKenzie underscored that the rest of the conference’s business will take place behind closed doors, with attendance restricted to party delegates.
Meanwhile, JLP Deputy General Secretary Dr Andrew Wheatley told Friday’s media briefing that the party’s constitution requires it to hold an annual conference, which is traditionally a business meeting involving delegates.
Jamaica Labour Party Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie (right) speaks during a media conference at the party’s headquarters on Belmont Road in New Kingston on Friday, as party Chairman Robert Montague (centre) and Deputy General Secretary Dr Andrew Wheatley listen. Naphtali Junior
He said the large public gathering usually associated with the event is a separate public session.
Wheatley said the party had chosen to hold the business meeting in Montego Bay to engage stakeholders and workers in western Jamaica who were affected by the hurricane.
“We want to empathise with the people, those affected by Hurricane Melissa, especially those in western Jamaica. So we wanted to forego the celebratory aspect of our annual conference and deal with a private business session that will afford us the opportunity to programme political activities, do a self-assessment as to where we are as a political party, and engage the most important members of the party — the delegates of the party — as we…take decisions for not only the betterment of the Jamaican Labour Party but, by extension, the people of Jamaica,” Wheatley said.
He also urged delegates to participate actively as the party prepares for the next local government elections.
Leadership changes will also be on the agenda, with the private session expected to include elections for the party leader and deputy leaders.
Wheatley said the party understood that supporters would miss the usual opportunity to gather and celebrate its achievements, but argued that the circumstances required a different approach.
JLP Chairman Robert Montague defended the decision, saying the party had a responsibility to identify with Jamaicans who were still dealing with the effects of the hurricane.
He rejected suggestions that the JLP was copying the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which held the public session of its 88th annual conference at Independence Park in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Sunday, September 20, after moving the event from its usual venue at the National Arena in Kingston.
“As a party that cares and as the national party of this country and the party that forms government, we also have a responsibility — a responsibility to those who are still suffering and who are still recovering from the hurricane. We have a responsibility to provide mature leadership to the country. [We] say, rather than jollyficate with some while some persons are struggling, let us identify with our brothers and sisters who are struggling,” he said.
“You will also note that the party leader, who is prime minister, has basically put the country on notice that it is time we as a nation begin to tighten some belts, to cut some expenses in order to bring relief to those who are suffering. So, it’s a mature decision and it’s a decision if we did not take, our members and supporters would have condemned us,” Montague added.
