Panton withdraws as JLP candidate

DR. DAVID Panton, one of the JLP's bright young prospects and head of its G2K group of young professionals, has abandoned his current interest in representational politics, withdrawing as his party's candidate for Manchester Central.

Yesterday he cited pressure caused by the expansion of his business interests in other Caribbean islands as the main reason.

He insisted that he was having difficulty dealing with the growth of his business and concentrating on putting a constituency organisation in place ahead of a general election. Also, he dismissed suggestions and speculation of a rift between himself and JLP leader Edward Seaga.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Mr. Seaga said he deeply regretted Dr. Panton's inability to continue at the representational level but recognised the conflict of time which he faced. He said Dr. Panton would still be involved in the promotion of new overseas investments being discussed by the JLP with overseas investors.

Dr. Panton made it clear that he would not be leaving the JLP nor the G2K and that he was fully committed to doing everything possible to assist the JLP in Manchester Central and nationally to win the next general election.

Audley Shaw, the JLP deputy leader with responsibility for Panton's constituency, conceded there had been differences from time to time between Mr. Seaga and Dr. Panton, but said the relationship between the two has remained cordial and any allegation that Dr. Panton had resigned for reasons other than stated was a tissue of lies, designed to create mischief.

According to a JLP activist, contrary to what was being presented, Dr. Panton was facing serious political difficulties. The activist claimed that Panton fell from grace because the G2K refused to join Mr. Seaga in criticising the "lack of credibility" of the Jamaica Council of Churches in its recent efforts to mediate between warring factions in west Kingston.

Yesterday the executive of G2K and JLP's youth arm, Young Jamaica, announced that they would not participate in any discussions with their political opponents, the PNPYO, about ways to reduce violence in the constituency represented by Mr. Seaga.

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