Abrupt end to Clarendon municipal meeting, PNP calls for change in leadership

Mayor of May Pen, Joel Williams, today accused People's National Party (PNP) councillors of grandstanding after they once again insisted on a change of leadership at the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, leading to the premature end of the municipality's monthly meeting for the second consecutive time.

Last December's meeting was similarly cut short after the PNP councillors argued that the November 2024 by-election, which saw the Aenon Town Division return to the party, creating a JLP-PNP tie in the municipality, necessitated structural changes in the corporation's governance, including the resignation of Williams.

In the by-election, PNP candidate Delroy Dawson secured a narrow victory with 1,646 votes, edging out Suzette Barton of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), who garnered 1,592 votes.

"The by-election would have changed the situation at the municipal corporation, and as a result, chairman, we have not yet had a discussion," said Sean Barnswell, the minority leader in the corporation.

"Based on your pronouncements in your opening remarks, it's an indication that it's business as usual, and I'm telling you, chairman, it cannot be," he added.

The mayor, in response, began addressing Barnswell as minority leader, but Barnswell interjected, "No, chairman. That is where you go wrong. There's no more minority leader."

In reply, Williams noted that if a discussion on the matter was warranted, the corporation's meeting was not the appropriate venue.

However, PNP councillors objected, prompting the mayor to adjourn the session.

Speaking with journalists outside the municipal chambers, Barnswell revealed that the matter had now become a legal issue, noting that their attorney had already been contacted.

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