VICE-PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) professional wing, Generation 2000 (G2K), Norman Horne, is to be appointed to the Senate to replace Kingston's Mayor Desmond McKenzie.
JLP sources told The Gleaner that the announcement will be made as soon as it is ratified by the Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, but that the decision has already been confirmed by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and forwarded to Sir Howard.
Councillor McKenzie, who represents the Tivoli Gardens Division in Mr. Seaga's West Kingston constituency in the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), resigned as a Senator after being elected Mayor in mid-July.
Mr. Horne, a former member of the People's National Party (PNP) youth arm switched parties after he lost his bid to represent the PNP in South East St. Elizabeth in last year's general election. He eventually ran for the JLP against Minister of Health John Junor in Central Manchester and lost, receiving 7,209 votes to Mr. Junor's 8,331. He is responsible for planning and development in G2K.
The son of the former PNP Deputy Mayor of Black River, Horne is a manufacturer and distributor of building materials and has extensive business interests overseas.
G2K had been lobbying the leader to appoint Horne for the Senate since McKenzie's departure. G2K was previously successful in pushing the appointment of its former chairman, Dr. David Panton.
