Prime Minister Bruce Golding considering resignation

JamaicaObserver.com

Friday, May 14, 2010

FACED with scathing criticism over his confession that he sanctioned a US$50,000 deal with a US-based law firm to negotiate a controversial extradition matter, Prime Minister Bruce Golding is now pondering his future.

Golding and the top brass of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) are now locked in a meeting at Vale Royal, the Prime Minister's official residence.

Golding's head has been on the chopping block after he revealed in Parliament that he sanctioned the party to contact United States law firm Manatt Phelps and Phillips to negotiate with members of the Barack Obama administration to argue on behalf of reputed Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Calls for Golding to step down as Prime Minister have come from various sectors of society including his former party the National Democratic Movement, the People's National Party and human rights group Jamaicans for Justice.

Yesterday a group of private sector and union bodies charged with finding solutions for Jamaica's economic and social ills suspended its agenda in light of his confession.

Last year August the US Government officially requested Coke's extradition to face drug and gun running charges.

The Golding-led administration has refused to sign the authority to proceed citing a breach of the Interception of Communications Act by the United States as their reason.

Coke has been named as the head of the Shower Posse, described by US authorities as a multi-national criminal organisation headquartered in Golding's West Kingston constituency.

Speculation as to the Prime Minister's future is rife on the streets of the capital. Meantime #blamebruce has become, locally at least, a 'trending topic' on social networking website Twitter.

STORY ORIGINALLY POSTED 3:58 PM

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (20)

Anthony II
5/15/2010

Some people seem to think that Mr. Golding's resignation would mean that the PNP would take over. No, it does not mean that. It means that Mr. Golding would be using this occasion to set a standard: that we should hold our politicians to high ideals and if they breach them, they have to go.
.
Also, while we are upset with and disappointed in Mr. Golding, let us not forget the PNP and that the PNP has reps in more garrisons than the JLP. So, they should not get a bligh. They need to TAKE ACTION to distance themselves from these "ghettarrisons" that they operate, for these places are a major source of our problems.
.
Mr. Golding, your resignation could be a lasting positive legacy to the Jamaican political landscape. It could signal a new day in Jamaican politics.

Anthony Clarke
5/15/2010

I knew that the 'true colours' of our 'dear' Prime Minister would come to the fore. I hope Jamaicans remember when he defected to form the NDM he said that he wanted 'to transform the landscape of politics. Stop out corruption'. Isn't what he did a form of corruption?
Would Mr Golding have done the same thing if Dudus was from Trench Town? I think not!!
I hope he does the right thing and resigns. This should also go for the Attorney General, Dorothy Lightbourne. In her capacity of AG, she had a significant part to play in this scandal. Is she, along with the government on a whole, suppose to be impartial in such cases of litigation?
Yet another politician who vowed to dismantle garrison politics has bowed to the garrison. This leads me to think that Dudus has something on Mr Golding for him to go this far for the sake of a known criminal. Let's hope that charges are brought against politicians involved in this scandal if possible. Not only resignations.

josh davis
5/14/2010

Please publish this. A very influential news paper in the USA at this time is now publishing an article outlining that members of the cabinet are to be indicted .

mark jones
5/14/2010

Would be the right thing to do but it would be a terrible squandering of political capital and Prime Ministerial potential

Danavan smith
5/14/2010

YES NOW YOU FINISHING YOU STATEMENT, WHY IT TAKE YOU SO LONG BRUCE? I HOPE VAZE AND THE AG FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOT STEP TOO.

Hope Alive
5/14/2010

What is there to consider? This should be done forthwith!

Beresford Davidson
5/14/2010

I dug up one of my old lyric-poem from Jamaican government high school. Hope my good prime minister and friend Bruce Golding will find it reassuring that he is doing justice. Whenever there was a challenge I sang with all my heart as I walk through perilous path home. This little poem kept evil at bay and give peace and confidence even to this day.
Man Who Live Upright
By Beresford A. Davidson, (Systems Engineering Consultant)
The man who live upright,
Who’s guiltless heart is free,
From mis-crean-tic might,
Or thoughts of vanity.
The man whom silent days,
In harmless joys are spent
Whom hopes cannot betrays
Nor sorrows discontent.
No palace in the sky,
No armor for defense,
Nor secret volts to fly,
From thunder violence.
He only can behold,
With un-a-frightened eyes,
The evils, life upholds
Sending terrors from the skies.
Thus, scorning all the cares,
That fame and fortune brings,
He makes the heaven endears,
His wisdom of heavenly things.
Good thoughts, his only friends,
His wealth a well spent age,
This Earth, his faith, transcends,
A ground, for honest pilgrimage
(Trench Town Comprehensive High School 1966)

Raul Grant
5/14/2010

Well the country of Jamaica has something to build on if Bruce goes. This could be a catalyst for change. Jamaica desperately needs change.
This would give Jamaicans hope. We have to wait and see.

Elli Deedo
5/14/2010

This Gentleman Mr Golding is simply not functioning accordingly. There are also other members of his cabinet who's activities need's to be placed under a microscopic observation. Their true relationship with Garrissonism must now be examined. We must now force them to go to their various Constituencies, and conduct very serious dialogue with the Citizens, on the subject of giving up their illegal weapons..Report all suspected criminals to the security force. Just as during their Political Campaign to win Votes. With the Cooperation of the MP's crime can be drastically reduced, It's not just the responsibility of the Citizens: Mr. Golding must resign.

Tammy Glennmc
5/14/2010

I think we are missing the bigger picture here...the fact that he lied to the Jamaican people is reprehensible..i agree...but all this is being done to stop the extradition of a "DON"..He has put his political career , his country's reputation and govt on the line in defense of a"DON"...that alone should tell us where his priorities are...........Mr Prime Minister........if you think that is the honorable thing to do then by all means resign...........I don't see how you will ever win back the hearts of your die-hearted supporters..........or erase you name from this bitter scandal.........make the right decision

JA Cynic
5/14/2010

Has the PM not considered his political future during this Dudus Extradition Affair?
Is he hoping that the US will issue a "superceeding indictment" to save the day?
Even at the end, Bruce Golding cannot avoid personal indecision--Flip flopping all the way.
Bruce - on - the- loose has finally lost. It is now out to pasture and he shall never return.What a political price to pay in such a short period of time.
JA Cynic

Junior Buck
5/14/2010

A from mawnin mi a beat mi drum. dis likkle flip flopper old slippers tek jamaicans fi idiot. he is no portia simpson, much less pj patterson. he lied to the youths, fooled the youths fi get power. dem nah go waan give it up so still enuh, dem a go waan fight, but dem have to go. di army and police betta dem pon dem p's & q's as dudus a go call out him army. I am telling all Jamaicans watch unuh back, murderers will be unleashed. Tivoli tuggy tuggy dem a go sound di war bell. But di trumpet has been sounded.
If dem decide fi stay a problem, if dem bow out a problem, so mi a beg mi people carfeul as it sticky out deh.
Bruce haffi move, im haffi move, im haffi move, bruce haffi move, what a day when rastafari give praises, bruce hav fi move.
Mi say a chant wi a chant down babylon one more time.
Dem boy yah tak people fi idiot. Him nuh know Peter a old Rastaman.
hand it over to Mama so she and di Ras can run di country di right and proper way

JA Cynic
5/14/2010

This is further evdence of political naivety.If your are "considering resignation" that is not a public matter--but an intensely private consideration. Ater reaching your considered position, you then inform your Cabinet and submit such to the GG immediately.
This is not a game show. Nobody is rallying to the cause of the PM.It is the political price that he was prepared to pay. It is Pay Time;not Play Time
JA Cynic

Gee Whiz
5/14/2010

Effective immediatley Thank you

bless williams
5/14/2010

1.should bruce resign?YES
2.does portia as a the ability to lead?NO
3what is the best for jamaica?RID JAMAICA OF ALL CURRENT MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT/CABINET BOTH JLP/PNP.
4.who should lead jamaica?SOMEONE WITH VISION MR.RENETTO ADAMS.
WHY?HE EXPRESSES HIM SELF WITH LOVE FOR HIS COUNTRY.
5.do i think he'll win?DO A SURVEY AND YOU'LL SEE
6.will he get support from the upper class and the lower class people?YES ONLY THE BAD GUYS HATE HIM.
COME ON RENETO ADAMS AN OPEN SPACE FOR YOU TO CONTEST.PLEASE CONSIDER

Dave Barry
5/14/2010

I thought it would have happen by the end of the day. What is he waiting for...Dudus permission? Let's go.....
Jamaica Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
Jamaica Bridge is falling down,
My fair(y) Brady.
.
Build it up with Bruce and Vaz,
Bruce and Vaz, Bruce and Vaz,
Build it up with Bruce and Vaz,
My fair(y) Brady.
.
Bruce and Vaz will wash away,
Wash away, wash away,
Bruce and Vaz will wash away,
My fair(y) Brady.

Wa Tch
5/14/2010

What is there to consider?
By the time 5:00pm comes around the letter must be submitted.
Resign NOW! No pussyfooting around. Just ell you staff good bye.

Duque Molton
5/14/2010

This a mussi joke..Him nah consider a thing..Him just feel say everything him say and do is justified..Him need to go even though I cyan pin point a suitable candidate to take over..The only 3 in that party look like them doing something is Tufton, Holness and Bartlett..

Devon Vapp
5/14/2010

Only in Jamaica stuff like this happens. As a matter of fact only in Jamaica Bruce Golding could be PM after acknowledging that he was associated with gunmen. A French Minister of Health had to resign some years back due to a heat wave which hit France, killing some people, something the poor man had no control over.
Any one who attempts to circumvent any justice system as the PM attempted to do is not worthy of holding public office, much more the Office of Chief Servant. He must now do the honourable thing and demit office.

Chloe Alexis
5/14/2010

Wow, a politician is being held accountable for his actions and may actually CHOOSE to step down? Am I still on the island?

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Prime Minister Bruce Golding considering resignation