The People’s National Party (PNP) has detailed an active series of engagements in which Opposition Leader Mark Golding and a delegation participated this past week during an ongoing diaspora tour in the United Kingdom.

In a release, the PNP noted that, on Thursday (October 6), Golding and his delegation met with David Evans, general secretary of the British Labour Party, and other Labour representatives.

The delegation was joined by Senator Peter Bunting after which they travelled to the United Kingdom Parliament, Portcullis House to meet with Members of Parliament from the Labour Party in the UK.

The delegation engaged in discussions with Members of Parliament Dawn Butler, Janet Daby, David Lammy, Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy and  Sarah Champion.

Golding and delegation then engaged in a series of meetings and discussions with diaspora stakeholders, community organisers and members of the business community. Members of the Diaspora identified issues affecting them and explored the Opposition’s policy proposals to address those issues.

The delegation made an impromptu stop at the Brixton market where they were met by what were described as enthusiastic Jamaicans who recounted nostalgic stories of life in their homeland.

On Friday, the delegation again travelled to Portcullis where they met with the Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament Fabian Hamilton, after which they met with Southwark Council officials, including Councillor Martin Seaton and Councillor Kieron Williams.

The delegation then met with Luis Ayala, secretary general of Socialist International, a political organisation of which the PNP is a member.

They also participated in a number of hail stops where they visited Jamaican-owned restaurants and companies.

The delegation also visited the St Mary’s Centre in Lewisham, London where the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Jamaica (PICA) has erected an office to assist Jamaicans living in the UK with applying for their Jamaican passports, citizenship, unconditional landing and other services.

The second day of the tour ended with a public cultural event in celebration of Jamaica’s 60th Anniversary of Independence. The Southwark Council Town Hall was filled to capacity as Jamaicans from all over London came out to engage with the delegation and enjoy the entertainment and performances.