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Former PNP, now Independent councillors ‘will not vote’ against Moore

Published:Saturday | July 15, 2023 | 12:11 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
The three councillors from Western Westmoreland showing their official letters of resignation. They are (from left) Ian Myles, Garfield James and Lawton McKenzie. All three stated their allegiance to Bertel Moore and said they would not attempt to remove h
Hopeton Bucknor
The three councillors from Western Westmoreland showing their official letters of resignation. They are (from left) Ian Myles, Garfield James and Lawton McKenzie. All three stated their allegiance to Bertel Moore and said they would not attempt to remove him as mayor.

AS POLITICAL discontent continues to rage in the People’s National Party (PNP) camp in Westmoreland and in the constituency of Western Westmoreland, the three former PNP-elected councillors who sided with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to remove the deputy mayor this week have made it clear that they will not lift a finger against Mayor Bertel Moore.

News in political circles have been swirling since Thursday’s removal of Danree Delancy (Bethel Town Division) as deputy Mayor, that the JLP’s ultimate plans are to remove Bertel Moore as Mayor, with the help of the now Independent councillors.

Delancy served in that position for 12 years in the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation which is a PNP-controlled body, although all the members of parliament in the parish are from the ruling JLP.

Thursday’s coup, which was held under the watchful eyes of the Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and other JLP operatives, was done on the motion moved by the JLP councillors and supported by all the former PNP councillors.

A day later the councillors told The Gleaner they consider Moore to be one of them – one of four – who are opposed to the candidacy of Ian Hayles in Western Westmoreland.

Councillor Layton McKenzie, Grange Hill Division, describes Moore as a brother, and he brushed aside suggestions that he did not live in Jamaica, and was a visitor to council to prevent his expulsion for missing more than the allowable number of sittings.

Councillor McKenzie, who said he has been a supporter of the PNP for more than 50 years and first became a councillor in 1977, had a message for the JLP.

“I did not meet with any member of the JLP about the motion to remove the deputy Mayor. But I received messages that it would be happening. But we were going to do it,” he said.

“But I am making it very clear right here and now that I am not supporting any effort by anyone to remove Bertel Moore,” McKenzie told The Gleaner yesterday.

The 72-year-old McKenzie strongly defended his United States residency, which sees him travelling to that country at least once a month. He said he has been using his United States of America (USA) pension to supplement his political efforts in his division.

According to him, his residency also allows him to receive expert medical care in the USA and he honours that commitment by going to the country as required. He said he also has a plumbing business and clients who depend on him.

“I am telling that Mayor Moore is my brother and my friend. And nobody in council can introduce that to me. I will not vote against Mayor Moore. Guaranteed, and you can tell the world that I said so,” said the now Independent McKenzie.

“I will not and under no condition. Put that in capital letters. Mayor Moore is councillor McKenzie’s friend and I will not entertain any discussion about removing Mayor Moore,” said McKenzie.

Councillor Garfield James of the Sheffield Division withdrew from the race with Ian Hayles for the party’s candidacy in Westmoreland Western.

He said Moore is a brother.

“As it is now, Councillor Bertel Moore, a member of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, is a part of our team. It has always been the four councillors in Western Westmoreland who have been opposed to the aspiration and candidacy of Ian Hayles. As it is we have all the relevant documentation,” James told The Gleaner.

“From where we stand, Councillor Moore is a part of our team. And we stand united with him,” he restated.

Councillor Ian Myles of the Little London Division echoed similar sentiments.

“I doubt it. I doubt that. That’s not how it operates because they cannot just get up and ask us to support a motion. But let me be more explicitly clear. Bertel Moore is the mayor and one with whom I work closely with. One that I admire, one that I respect to the highest level,” he also said yesterday.

“I am not in a position now to support any motion to remove him. When I say now, I mean period. That means whether now or later, Bertel is good,” said Myles yesterday.