Two of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) most prominent veterans, Karl Samuda and Mike Henry, have announced that they will not be seeking re-election when the next general election is called, which is due by September 2025.
The news was revealed by JLP General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang during a media briefing at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters on Thursday.
It follows the announcement that Audley Shaw will depart from representational politics.
Samuda, 82, and Henry, 89, have both made indelible marks in Jamaican politics, with long tenures representing their constituencies since 1980.
Karl Samuda, who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew North Central, is one of Jamaica’s most seasoned politicians. He first won the seat in 1980 and has since built a legacy of service. Samuda’s last ministerial role was as Minister of Labour and Social Security, a post he held until his resignation in May 2023. Prior to his service as Labour Minister, he also held significant positions as Minister of Education and Minister of Agriculture.
Samuda is one of the few Jamaican politicians with the distinction of having won elections across different political platforms. His career saw a notable twist in the 1990s when he was expelled from the JLP and subsequently joined the People’s National Party (PNP) in 1993, at the invitation of then-Prime Minister Michael Manley. Samuda returned to the JLP years later, re-establishing himself as a key figure in the party. Along with Mike Henry and former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, Samuda holds the distinction of having secured some of the most election victories in Jamaica’s history.
On the other hand, Mike Henry, who has represented the Central Clarendon constituency since 1980, is equally celebrated for his resilience and political longevity. Henry’s career in politics was marked by a tragic moment in 1976, when he was shot during the election campaign, but he went on to win his seat the following year and has never looked back. Henry has served in several prominent government roles, including Minister of Information, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Minister of Works, and Minister of Transportation and Mining.
Beyond his work in government, Henry is known for his fervent advocacy for reparations, particularly in relation to Jamaica’s history of slavery and colonialism. His leadership in the reparations movement has earned him respect both locally and internationally.
Both Samuda and Henry are expected to leave behind a legacy of service that spans over four decades. Their decision not to seek re-election marks the end of an era for the JLP, leaving a significant gap in the party’s leadership.
The JLP, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, will now look ahead to the next generation of leaders as it prepares for the upcoming general election.
