Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, J-L-P Robert Montague says there should be a national conversation on race, ethnicity and class in Jamaica.

The comment from Mr. Montague follows public discourse about racially charged statements directed at Opposition Leader Mark Golding from JLP members.

The business community and other groups have condemned the statements.

Questioned about the issue at a press conference this morning, Mr. Montague said, it is time for the  conversation on the issues surrounding race.

Meantime, the party’s Treasurer Daryl Vaz also commented on the issue citing hypocrisy.

Both Mr. Vaz and Mr. Montague referred to incidents in which statements were made about them by members of the opposition.

Mr Vaz added that statements have also been made about his wife.

He however, agrees that both parties should be able to implement a code of conduct without the input of an ombudsman.