‘Lost soul’ Venesha Phillips finds her way to JLP

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has declared firebrand councillor Venesha Phillips “a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) problem now” after she crossed the aisle Sunday, appearing on a platform for the ruling party.

“We’ve parted ways with Venesha Phillips and she is now the problem of the JLP. We wish them all the best in dealing with her,” PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday.

His response came hours after Phillips, sporting a green Oxford shirt, was introduced at the JLP’s 80th anniversary conference to thunderous applause from Labourites.

But, instead of a fist, the symbol of her former party, the councillor for the Papine division in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, chucked deuces to a stunned-but-welcoming crowd.

In introducing Phillips, Conference Chairman Desmond McKenzie described her as “another soul that was lost”.

Her switch brings to four the number of PNP councillors who have crossed the floor in recent years, following in the footsteps of Kari Douglas, Ian Myles and Garfield James.

On Sunday, Phillips told journalists that she decided to switch allegiance only a month ago, though she said that she was being wooed from two and a half years ago.

“Having looked at the PNP, you will agree with me it is not the organisation certainly that you are used to from Michael Manley to today. It is regrettable that I came to the conclusion that the PNP could not be the vehicle through which I could continue to serve Jamaica at whatever level,” said Phillips.

Phillips, a second-term councillor in St Andrew Eastern, has had an acrimonious relationship with the opposition party in recent years.

Divisive leadership contest

The councillor’s relationship soured with her former party after a divisive leadership contest between Lisa Hanna and Mark Golding.

Phillips backed Hanna, who lost to Golding in the internal election three years ago.

Phillips has publicly voiced her disapproval of Golding as party president, noting a difference in ideology for the political movement.

She has since renounced her membership.

“I came to the conclusion that the PNP, in its current form, is not in the best interest of the people of Jamaica, in terms of what is required to move us forward,” Phillips said.

Phillips said that, having reviewed the performance of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, she and others have concluded that he is using Manley’s playbook. She said this is what fuelled her decision.

She said it should not come as a surprise that she is now following the message from Holness, one in which she has been rooted.

She said she has seen the growth in Holness and in the politics of the JLP.

“You see political maturity. You see succession. You see a vision,” Phillips said.

She said the JLP has manifested to Jamaicans that they are the party for the people.

She said a Holness-led Jamaica “at this time and into the future is the way, the better way, and the only way”.

Meanwhile, she reiterated that she will not be contesting the next local government election, noting that she can serve and contribute in several areas.

Phillips said her switch is a commitment and not a reflex action or rebound, adding that she can assist in the organising of the party.

Her crossover has received mixed reactions from former PNP colleagues, with some expressing disappointment and anger.

She said that she has also been on the end of a “brutal cuss out” from others.

“I understand that, but, surprisingly, many have said ‘We understand it’. ‘We respect it’, and some even said, ‘Ven, where thou goest, we will go,’” she said.

Phillips said, while she understands that some people will view her as a political turncoat, a politician’s commitment and loyalty must be to nation-building and Jamaica.

“It must be that you go where Jamaica is first, Jamaica is second, Jamaica is third …,” she said.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com