Email not enough

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Embattled Councillor Julian Chang (Independent, Savanna-la-Mar Division) has another hurdle to clear as she walks away from the People’s National Party (PNP).

She has been asked to submit a signed resignation letter to the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC). In tidying up the process during Thursday’s monthly general meeting of the WMC, the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Marlet Wellington read Chang’s official resignation letter but noted that it came via an email addressed to both herself and the mayor. The CEO advised that she will need a signed letter, communicated through the corporation’s chairman.

Later in the meeting, Chang’s severing of ties with the PNP was the subject of a lengthy interjection by minority leader Councillor Ian Myles (Jamaica Labour Party, Little London Division), who was originally elected on a PNP ticket before he crossed the floor.

“My dress code today is deliberate. I’m in a very sad mood for the People’s National Party in losing such a champion councillor, one who was working industriously for the division. I know you’re losing a valuable asset. I don’t know why you’d want to lose someone like this at this time,” Myles said.

Chang resigned from the PNP last week Monday with immediate effect and speculation is rife that she may eventually cross the floor to the JLP. In July 2023, Myles and two other councillors representing Westmoreland divisions made a similar political shift in resigning from the PNP. The others were Lawton McKenzie (Grange Hill Division) and Garfield James (Sheffield Division).

Councillor Julian Chang who represents the Savanna-la-Mar Division in Westmoreland, resigned from the People’s National Party just over one week ago.

McKenzie who ran as an Independent lost his seat in the 2024 local polls while both Myles and James now serve under the JLP banner. James was absent from Thursday’s meeting, as was Chang.

When asked if he was already rolling out the red carpet for Chang, Myles responded that any future political move remains entirely up to her.

“I know she’s an Independent, and you know Independent in Jamaica can [only] go so far,” he said. While noting that declaring independence is often the first step before switching parties, he added that he could not definitively predict Chang’s next move.

Despite that caveat, Myles made his seating preferences for Chang quite clear, stating he would like to be flanked by her and Councillor Dawnette Foster (JLP, Cornwall Mountain Division). Myles invited other Comrades to cross the floor.

“Is there anybody else who has a problem with the local leadership [of the PNP-led Westmoreland Municipal Corporation or maybe [the party’s] national leadership that wants to sit closer to me? Because I welcome all those who want to sit next to me,” he quipped.

Chang’s resignation came after more than a year of being publicly at odds with Westmoreland Central Member of Parliament Dwayne Vaz. While the two reportedly worked well together before the February 2024 Local Government Election, a clear rift developed ahead of the September 2025 General Election, culminating in Chang being removed from the constituency executive’s WhatsApp group 12 days before the polls.

Tensions escalated further when Chang was replaced as constituency chairperson, despite showing up uninvited to the selection meeting on August 12, 2025. The PNP hierarchy reportedly stated at the time that the new selection was not recognised.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the party would be establishing a committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment brought by Chang against Vaz, who has denied the claims.

The PNP addressed the issue last Monday.

“In good faith and through its various internal structures, considerable efforts were made to address and mediate the concerns that had arisen between Councillor Chang and others within the constituency leadership,” the party said in a press release.