Clarendon Municipal Corporation set for leadership showdown Friday

The Clarendon Municipal Corporation is bracing for a tense political showdown on Friday, as a special meeting has been called to address the leadership of the local authority.

At the centre of the agenda is the reading of a declaration from Councillor Tanyalee Williams of the May Pen North Division, who has switched political allegiance from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

The move would give the PNP 12 seats to the JLP’s 10, breaking an 11–11 deadlock that had left the corporation evenly divided.

An attempt by Williams to have her declaration registered in the records at last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the corporation was thwarted by Mayor Joel Williams, who said she was not following proper procedures. The meeting subsequently came to an abrupt end.

Williams’ action follows a recent fallout within the local JLP camp, triggered by a rift between her and Clarendon Central Member of Parliament Delroy Williams.

The agenda for the special meeting also lists motions of no confidence that are expected to be moved against Mayor Williams and his deputy, Clive Mundle.

Provisions have also been made on the schedule to elect a new mayor (chairperson) and deputy mayor should the respective vacancies arise.

The meeting is set for 10:00 a.m.

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