JLP Chairman, Senator Robert Montague, says he’ll be meeting soon with party veteran, Joan Gordon-Webley.
Mrs. Gordon-Webley recently stepped down as caretaker for East Rural St. Andrew after over 30 years in the constituency.
She’s also indicated that she has resigned as a member of the party.
Mrs. Gordon Webley served as MP for East Rural St. Andrew between 1980 and 1989.
She lost by 2-hundred-and-59 votes to the PNP’s Damion Crawford in the 2011 general election.
Joan Gordon Webley told CVM television earlier this week, that she was surprised to hear back in January, that the party was moving to replace her in East Rural St. Andrew.
She says she was contacted by JLP General Secretary, Dr. Horace Chang in January, claiming that he had been advised she no longer wished to be in the seat, because of her support for Audley Shaw in the party’s leadership race in November last year.
However, she says Dr. Chang had not verified that position with her, before making a decision.
That’s just one of many reasons Mrs. Gordon Webley has given for deciding to stand down in East Rural St Andrew and sever her ties with the party.
Among those reportedly interested in the seat is the JLP’s Communications Director and aide to party leader Andrew Holness, Robert Nesta Morgan.
Mrs. Gordon Webley says she wrote to Mr. Holness in February, but to date, he has not acknowledged receipt of the letter.
Speaking on Nationwide This Morning, the party’s Chairman, Senator Robert Montague seemed to extend an olive branch to Mrs. Gordon Webley.
He vowed that the JLP will not turn its back on her.
When Nationwide News contacted Dr. Chang yesterday, he indicated that the party has to examine the factors which have soured its relationship with Mrs. Gordon Webley.
Some political pundits are speculating that while the JLP wanted Mrs. Gordon-Webley out of East Rural St. Andrew, they did not anticipate her resignation from the party.
It remains to be seen whether this fence can be mended.
