Clarke announces resignation date as MP for North West St Andrew 

Finance and the Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke is set to resign as Member of Parliament (MP) for North West St Andrew at midnight on Wednesday, October 30, to take up duties as a Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the following day.

Clarke announced the date of his departure at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council 1 meeting in the constituency last night.  

"Labourites, as I leave the playing field effective midnight tomorrow night, I want you to know that it has been the privilege of my life to serve you as Member of Parliament," the finance minister said.

He urged constituents to show the same love they had shown him since he became their MP in 2018, to the new JLP caretaker candidate, Duane Smith, who is a three-term councillor for the Chancery Hall Division of the same constituency once held by his father, Derrick Smith, for 29 years.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness told the JLP meeting that the younger Smith will assume his caretaker duties the same day that Clarke resigns as MP.

Clarke thanked several JLP stalwarts, including Holness, for giving him the opportunity to serve the political party and in the Cabinet.

He ended his presentation by expressing love to the governing JLP, after which he was joined by Holness and JLP Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie in singing and rocking to Frank Sinatra's smash hit, 'My Way'.

Holness, while lauding Clarke for his service to the country, did not indicate during his lengthy address at the meeting, the name of the individual who would be succeeding Clarke as the country's finance and the public service minister.