Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
Chairman of JLP Area One Council and Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie (left), makes a point to the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, Delroy Chuck (right), while former president of the G2K, Dr. Ronald Robinson, looks on. Occasion was the JLP Area One Council meeting at Papine High School yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
CHAIRMAN OF the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area One Council, Desmond McKenzie, is threatening to do some house cleaning in the party.
According to Mr. McKenzie, who is also the Mayor of Kingston, the JLP will have to put its house in order, now that Portia Simpson Miller has won the People's National Party (PNP) presidential race.
"In order for us to defeat her at the polls, we need to work overtime," he said at the Eastern St. Andrew constituency Area One Council meeting at Papine High School in St. Andrew, yesterday.
He said that there were some JLP supporters who wanted things on a platter. This he said would not happen, but that supporters would have to work for it.
MANY SUPPORTERS NOT ENUMERATED
He said many JLP supporters were not enumerated. "Let me remind you again, elections are not won by the number of green ganzies (T-shirts) you have, elections are not won by the number of people who come to your public meetings," he said.
"Elections are not won by the number of people who love you, elections are not won on election day. You win yuh election during the re-enumeration exercise; that is where you win yuh election."
He warned that some persons would be removed from their positions if they fail to perform in their constituencies.
"Some constituencies need help, we are going to be helping those constituencies, but some constituencies and some divisions, Lord have mercy on their souls!" he said.
"I am tired of being in Opposition, and I have a responsibility, we here have a responsibility, as leaders of the party's organisation to ensure that the JLP gets the maximum out of Area Council One, and over mi dead body if a can't get it, heads gwine roll!"
He said within the next four weeks some divisions and constituencies would be reviewed.
"There are going to be some constituencies that we are coming to like Nicodemus; nobody won't know that we coming, because sometimes when you tell them that you coming, they go and sweep up the front of the yard and leave the back of the yard dutty," he said.
Councillor McKenzie said the JLP is expecting elections to be called between now and the middle of the year as he said Local Government elections were due this year.
"So, one way or the other, we will have an election this year, but in order for us to hold onto what we have. The Corporate Area is ours to keep and for the PNP to take from us," he said.
While congratulating Mrs. Simpson Miller on her win, Councillor McKenzie said that there can't be any honeymoon period for the Prime Minister-designate. He said that crime has to be her number one priority. Turning to the redevelopment of Downtown Kingston, he said his first meeting with her will be on this issue as nothing has been done to address it.
