Franklin will not give up JLP gen sec post

Incumbent Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary Aundre Franklin has indicated that he has no plans to walk away from the position.

This comes after East Central St James Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett confirmed that he is interested in the position.

Mr Franklin has been widely criticised by JLP supporters, who have blamed him for the party’s crushing defeat to the People’s National Party in the December 29 general election.

Since then the posts of General Secretary and Chairman of the JLP have been the subject of widespread speculation, with incumbent chairman Mike Henry already indicating that he will not seek re-election.

Mr Bartlett, in confirming his interest in the position, says he feels strongly that the JLP should not be subjected to an acrimonious internal election at this time. He says he is confident that, along with another veteran parliamentarian Derrick Smith as JLP Chairman, they could form a solid team to rebuild the party.

But Mr Franklyn says he is not afraid of a challenge and insists that he will offer himself for nomination when the time comes.