FRIENDSHIP, Westmoreland — In a stinging reproach to detractors who have pointed to his and Dr Garfield James’ former membership in the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), Councillor Ian Myles (Jamaica Labour Party, Little London Division) has a message: “We are home.”

Myles and James were among three councillors who walked away from the People’s National Party (PNP) in September 2023 and crossed the floor of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation to join the JLP. A recent recommendation to have James vie to represent the JLP in the next general election, instead of sitting Member of Parliament Morland Wilson, has caused some disquiet among Wilson’s supporters. And, according to Myles, there has been negativity and belittling language coming from the PNP camp online.

“You on social media are wasting your time [because] here we are out there doing the work. We are renowned for promoting our people and doing the work for our people,” he said.

Myles was speaking during a gathering in Friendship Division on Saturday — the first of several events James has planned to foster unity within the constituency. Myles encouraged supporters and workers not to be distracted from the mission of winning the seat for the JLP.

In making his point he told those gathered that he and James were originally Labourites.

“It doesn’t matter where you go in life, as a child from a household. It does not matter what a man wants to do to you out there. When friends and foes turn their backs against you, your family will always accept you. So, it does not matter what anyone wants to say; we are Labourites from birth. We went suh and we are back. We are home, contented and connected,” Myles assured.

As he did at the Friendship Division event, James plans to shower Labourites with love when he makes more stops within the constituency.

“The enthusiasm by residents, by workers of both teams [his and Wilson’s] here today would have demonstrated that the process of healing and the unity that is necessary has begun,” he said on Saturday.

“We are looking good, and we are going to ensure that we facilitate this by moving into the Grange Hill Division for the next workers’ appreciation day, followed by Little London, Sheffield, and Negril,” James added.

Two senior citizens — 99-year-old Caled Alexander Hudson and 97-year-old Martin Luther Hanson — were among several people honoured in Friendship Division on Saturday.

An appreciative Hudson said he has been voting for the JLP since he was 20 years old.

“It cannot change because I carry the Bible with me, and the Bible tells me that I must say labour. It doesn’t tell me any other name,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Hanson said he started voting for the JLP at the age of 23 and has never shifted his allegiance. He said he was happy for the appreciation shown to him on Saturday. It was unexpected, he said, and the first time he has been on the receiving end of such attention.

James explained why both men were selected to be honoured during workers’ appreciation day.

“They are almost near to celebrating their 100th birthday. We felt that it was necessary for us to have identified and appreciate and celebrate with them. Hence, we chose to present to them here a certificate of appreciation as well as a gift basket, and [to give them the opportunity to] cut a Team James cake [in order] for them to acknowledge how important their contribution has been to this particular celebration,” stated James who is also the constituency chairman, councillor for Sheffield Division, and principal of Little London High School.