Long-serving politicians Michael Henry and Karl Samuda are stepping down from representational politics, bringing to a close decades of service to the nation.

The announcement was made this morning by Dr. Horace Chang, General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), who revealed that both MPs—Henry for Central Clarendon and Samuda for North Central St. Andrew—are retiring after long and distinguished careers.

82-year-old Samuda, who has represented North Central St. Andrew since 1980, has played a central role in the constituency, having served under both major political parties.

His extensive ministerial career includes roles as Minister of State, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries, and Minister of Education from 2019 to 2020, in addition to his tenure as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Similarly, 89-year-old Michael Henry has been a stalwart of Jamaican politics, representing Central Clarendon for over 30 uninterrupted years. Throughout his tenure, he has held several important ministerial positions, including Minister of Transport and Mining, Minister of Transport and Works, and Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.