Lloyd B bows out, ends bid to remain MP

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Lloyd B. Smith, who had called for the intervention of the People's National Party (PNP) hierarchy after the party's delegates in his Central St James constituency had rejected his bid to represent them in the impending general election, has officially ended his bid to remain the party's standard-bearer in the constituency.

Smith, who had claimed that he was the victim of "skulduggery" and other acts

of "corruption" when his bid to continue representing the constituency was roundly rejected by a 66-36 margin in an 'affirmation exercise', yesterday told party officials that he was not interested in being a part of a run-off, which was slated for today, effectively ending his bid to stay on as MP.

"Yes, it is true. He has withdrawn in an amicable way; however, I believe he would be the best person to speak to it," said Paul Burke, the PNP's general secretary, when quizzed as to whether Smith, who is also deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, had indeed withdrawn.

Efforts to contact Smith, who had promised to make "earth-shattering" revelations about what had transpired in the affirmation exercise if the party did not treat his allegations seriously, proved futile, when The Gleaner contacted the Western Mirror, where he is the CEO.

In rejecting Smith's bid in the affirmation exercise, which was ordered by the party's hierarchy, the delegates, who opposed his retention, openly criticised his leadership style and also questioned the quality of his stewardship

"We are not feeling Mr Smith's presence in the constituency. It is like we don't have an MP," one delegate told The Gleaner. "When you try to talk to him, he tends to be quite abrupt. He does not listen."

rejection by delegates

Sylvan Reid, who represents the Salt Spring Division in Smith's constituency, made it clear that he was not supporting the MP's bid to remain in the job, arguing that Smith's rejection by the delegates was quite justified.

"This is a clear message to all the representatives of the people, both PNP and JLP. You must listen to the people," said Reid. "The people elect you to perform, so you must perform. If you don't perform, the people will tell you in time that you must go."

Smith, who seemed surprised when the delegates rejected his bid, intimated that he might have fallen prey to unscrupulous persons who were working behind the scene to unseat him.

Two attorneys, Henry McCurdy and Ashley Foster, are said to be expressing an interest in representing the constituency.