JLP St Elizabeth Councillor switches party, says PNP 'more viable'

Jamaica Labour Party councillor (JLP) for the Southfield Division in St Elizabeth, Gregory Myers has confirmed that he will switch his support to the People's National Party (PNP). 

The councillor says he sees the PNP as a "more viable option" for getting community work done.

The confirmation comes after his failed bid to be the JLP's representative for the division in upcoming local government elections. 

However, Myers says his decision had been a while coming as he has been disappointed with what he calls the lack of respect he has received from his peers in the party.

He is blaming "the breakdown in the leadership" of JC Hutchinson - the JLP's leader of Area Council 4 in which the division falls.

Myers says although he has decided to leave the JLP, it does not affect his commitment to the people in his division.

According to him, the switch is a "divorce" from the JLP and not from the people.

He says he expects some backlash over the decision. 

The move comes as both political parties prepare for local government elections expected to be called this year. 

Meanwhile, PNP General Secretary Paul Burke, says the party has not received any application from Myers to join the party.

However he says the JLP councillor's intention is 'noble'. 

Burke says the party already has a candidate in place for the division but he noted that all candidates are under review. 

Myers is the son of former JLP councillor Shirley Myers who was the councillor of the Division for 26 years before his son succeeded him in 2012.