Opposition Leader Edward Seaga (right) accepts a plaque from Kingston mayor Desmond McKenzie during yesterday's ceremony in which the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation honoured six of the country's former prime ministers. The ceremony was held at the National Heroes' Park in Kingston. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

EDWARD Seaga was at his satirical best yesterday when he accepted, on behalf of the country's six prime ministers, honours bestowed on them by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation.

Claiming he wanted to represent his colleagues correctly, Seaga said he decided it would be best to contact them personally "before making any commitments".

According to the opposition leader, he first contacted Jamaica's first prime minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante who said: "Bring what yuh write, I want to see it first."
Speaking to Donald Sangster, he said, proved much easier. "He's a man of few words who had a characteristic way of responding with (a gesture signalling all was well)," Seaga said.

Hugh Shearer, he said, confided in him saying "Eddie, you know we're always at one".
But Seaga said Manley, known for his tendency to "bawl out" on certain issues, was passionate about what should be said.

He said Manley asked him to "be sure to remind them all that any of them who don't like Emancipation, there are five flights a day out of Jamaica", referring to Manley's famous statement in the 1970s to those who did not approve of his policies.
But the most humorous fictitious comment was attributed to current prime minister P J Patterson.

"He said to me, 'if yuh t'ink yuh going there to tell them that I am the model in the male figure of the statue at Emancipation park, feget it", Seaga said to a roar of laughter on the lawns of National Heroes' Park.
But the opposition leader, who served as prime minister from 1980 to 1989, did not exclude himself from all the satire.
Said he: ". And so I invite everyone to light a candle, sing a Sankey and let us join in celebrating Emancipation Day. Argument done."

The tributes to the prime ministers were the highlight of the Emancipation Day civic ceremony at the National Heroes' Park in Kingston.

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