PNP councillor crosses the floor

Another member of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) has defected to the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The latest switcher is Faith Sampson, councillor for the John's Hall division in Manchester North West.

Sampson, who is in her third term, crossed the floor on Thursday.

The PNP said that Sampson's support in the division has been declining and a recent internal assessment "confirmed that her candidacy would present a challenge for the upcoming local government election, due in November". She won the seat by 134 votes in the last election, The PNP said it is forced to listen to the voice of the people, who have expressed their concerns about Councillor Sampson's ability to champion the seat on behalf of the party.

Councillor Sampson, in a statement, said that the decision was "not an easy one after serving for 25 years." She said that she is expecting "vindictive reactions from some" in the PNP, even as she sought to assure her constituents that "my service to them has in no way changed".

A new PNP standard-bearer has not been selected.

Sampson is the second PNP councillor to join the JLP in recent months. In February, Kari Douglas, councillor for the Trafalgar division in South East St Andrew, switched political allegiance.