Karl Samuda: Caught Off Guard by Retirement News. Karl Samuda, member of parliament for St Andrew North Central, said he was astonished on Thursday when he heard news that he was not seeking re-election. The Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) General Secretary, Dr Horace Chang, issued a statement that Karl Samuda was retiring..
Mr Samuda said the comment caught him totally off guard. He said he wasn’t aware that an announcement of that nature was pending. I wasn’t aware,” he told the Gleaner.
Mr. Samuda has served as MP for St Andrew North Central since 1980. He has served as MP for both political parties and is the country’s joint longest-serving parliamentarian in history. He noted that while he did not intend to run for office again, he hoped to follow a process.
“I would have much rather a discussion, and in any event, I, as the member of parliament, owe the people who have supported me over these many years the courtesy of advising them in concrete terms and not by rumor. I was preparing to engage that process,” he said.
Karl Samuda, member of parliament for St Andrew North Central
Furthermore, a disgruntled Karl Samuda said the announcement should have been made by him or “through” him. He said he would now have to work to repair the damage caused by somebody else.
Karl Samuda Reacts to Chang’s Retirement Announcement
On Thursday, Chang also said Mike Henry, the eighty-nine-year-old MP for Clarendon Central who jointly holds the record with Samuda, will also retire.
Watch Chang announcement in the video below.
“It’s a matter of being decent and seeking the right advice. Sometimes, it’s important to create a sense of comfort for those who have been crucial to my success as a member of parliament. Various activities come into play; this isn’t simply a game of checkers. It’s about showing courtesy to the people I have served,”a disappointed Samuda said.
Karl Samuda, member of parliament for St Andrew North Central
Back in October 2022, critics of Mr Samuda called for his resignation. But he declared he would only step aside once he saw somebody suitable enough to replace him.
On Thursday, Mr Karl Samuda told The Gleaner that he will likely name a potential successor soon.
Mr Samuda said he has had discussions with people in the constituency, whose support is required and whose acceptance is critical.