Tufton urges upset Labourites to rally behind Archer

St Catherine West Central Member of Parliament Dr Christopher Tufton has sought to rally disgruntled Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters amid brewing discontent over the selection of businessman Michael Archer as its standard-bearer for the Red Hills division in the constituency.

Archer, a funeral home director, was recently given the nod by the JLP over sitting councillor Keith McCook to run on the party’s ticket in the looming local government elections.

McCook claimed he was unceremoniously dumped after serving as a councillor for 11 years without a clear cause.

The move also angered several party supporters, who staged a protest and called for Tufton’s resignation as member of parliament.

Tufton broke his silence on the matter during a workers’ meeting at Kitson Town Primary School on Wednesday.

“You will recall that we have a sitting councillor. He has served his time, and we give him all the credit, to the extent that he deserves it,” Tufton stated during the meeting, where a new divisional executive was elected.

“There is a process that led to the selection and the appointment of a new councillor caretaker – the person who the Jamaica Labour Party, which is bigger than all of us, has decided, in their wisdom and through due process to put forward as the person who will be on the ballot when that time comes, and that process has taken its course,” he explained.

Tufton encouraged party supporters to embrace Archer and campaign alongside him in the division, adding that the elections would be called “very, very soon”.

“Nobody knows Michael Archer as a stranger to these meetings, to this community, and to this parish. He is the official undertaker of these parts, an independent businessman with a tradition, and a track record of serving people and always being a part of the Labour Party family. He has always been a worker involved in community projects and is the chairman of an educational institution,” he said, making the case for supporting Archer.

WARM WELCOME

Archer, who received a warm reception from the party workers, emphasised his commitment to serve the division and work on much-needed infrastructure.

“You have elected me to lead the division, and I am going to lead. A good leader must know where the followers want to go, and it will be my responsibility to take you there,” he said to cheers.

The aspiring councillor also distributed hundreds of brochures outlining his eight-point plan for improving the division. Among the priorities are providing regular piped water to residents, maintaining the road network, restarting ecotourism activities, supporting farmers’ groups, strengthening citizens’ associations, revitalising community centres, fostering youth development, and building a strong bond with the police.

The Red Hills division is one of four municipal divisions within St Catherine West Central, which has long been regarded as a JLP stronghold.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com