JLP veterans Karl Samuda and Mike Henry to step down from politics

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.