JAMAICA | JLP Mourns the passing of former Westmoreland MP Russell Hammond

MONTEGO BAY,  December 3, 2022 - The Jamaica Labour Party is mourning the death of former member of parliament for central Westmoreland Russell Hammond who died on Friday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston.

Hammond's stint in Parliament as a member of the governing Jamaica Labour Party, came during the 1980s having been first elected MP for Central Westmoreland in 1983  and serving until 1989.

In 1995 Hammond became a founding member of the National Democratic Movement, headed by Bruce Golding. He contested the 1997 election on that party's ticket, but like all the other candidates for the NDM, lost his bid to return to Parliament, and focused on his pastry business and community engagements.

A media release from the JLP said “though he didn’t succeed in subsequent elections, he played a significant role in laying the foundation for the parties current success in the western parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover being a very active member of area council."

Prime Minister and Party Leader Andrew Holness says Hammond was a great friend of himself and the party as well as an important player in the development of his community. 

“Hammond was a stalwart and an example of selfless dedication to his country. His memory will live on in the positive impact he has made in the lives of many people and his focus on the development of Westmoreland in particular”

“The Jamaica Labour Party extends its deepest regret to his wife, children, friends and colleagues,” the statement said.

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