Long-serving St Andrew North Central MP Karl Samuda, surprised by the announcement of his impending retirement, has indicated he will soon endorse a successor for the seat he has held since 1980. While expressing disappointment over not making the announcement himself, the 82-year-old veteran stressed the importance of consulting with his constituents and ensuring a seamless transition. Samuda revealed that discussions with key supporters are under way to finalise his choice, aligning with his earlier pledge to step aside only after identifying a capable replacement.

Samuda ‘caught off guard’ as Chang announces his retirement

Jamaica Gleaner/22 Nov 2024/editorial@gleanerjm.com

ST ANDREW North Central Member of Parliament (MP) Karl Samuda said he was stunned by a “great surprise” on Thursday when Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Dr Horace Chang announced that the long-serving representative would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming polls.

“The comment caught me totally off guard … . I wasn’t aware that an announcement of that nature was pending … . I wasn’t aware,” the 82-year-old told The Gleaner.

Samuda, who has held the seat since 1980 and is the country’s joint longest-serving parliamentarian in history, admitted that while he does not intend to run for office again, he was following a process.

“I would have much rathered a discussion, and in any event, I, as the member of parliament, owe the people who have supported me over these many, many years the courtesy of advising them in concrete terms and not by rumour. I was preparing to engage that process,” he said.

Further, Samuda said the announcement should have been made by him or “through” him and said he will now have to undertake some “repair work”.

“It’s a process of being decent; it’s a process requiring appropriate advice. In some cases, there has to be a sort of comfort level extended to the people who have been integral to my involvement and my success as a member of parliament. All sorts of activities come into play. This is not a matter of just playing checkers. It’s a matter of being courteous to the people who I have served.

Speaking at a divisional meeting in October 2022, Samuda declared that he would not step aside until he saw somebody suitable enough to replace him.

He told The Gleaner yesterday that he is likely to endorse a potential successor “shortly”.

“I have discussed this with people in the constituency, whose support is necessary and whose acceptance is absolutely crucial,” he said.

On Thursday, Chang also said Mike Henry, the 89-year-old MP for Clarendon Central who jointly holds the record with Samuda, will also retire.

“The selection process will chip in at some point before. It is a discussion that is ongoing,” Chang said.

In October 2021, Henry, who has also been serving since 1980, said he wanted his protégé, Councillor Joel Williams, who has since been elevated to the post of mayor of May Pen, to succeed whenever he demits office.

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