McKenzie Accuses Opposition of Seeking to Dismantle Local Gov’t Systems

Deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, Desmond McKenzie, is accusing the Opposition People’s National Party, PNP, of seeking to dismantle established local government systems in order to take control of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation.

McKenzie is also the local government minister.

He was reacting to the call from Opposition Leader Mark Golding for mayor of May Pen Joel Williams to step aside following the PNP’s victory in the Aenon Town division in last Friday’s by-election.

The PNP’s Delroy Dawson defeated the JLP’s Suzette Barton by 56 votes in the by-election. Dawson’s victory has resulted in a tie in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, with both parties controlling 11 divisions.

PNP President Mark Golding says based on the fact that his party won the popular vote in the February local government polls, Mayor Williams should step aside and allow the PNP affiliated councillors to choose a new mayor.

But McKenzie says there’s no legal basis for such a move.

Desmond McKenzie, deputy leader of the JLP

Meanwhile, former Director of Elections, Orette Fisher, says the Local Governance Act does not require the sitting mayor of May Pen to step aside.

Mr. Fisher says it may be necessary to test the matter in court.

Orette Fisher, former Director of Elections. He was speaking on Nationwide This Morning.