Baugh. front-runner

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is expected to meet by Monday to elect an interim leader of the opposition to fill the gap created by Edward Seaga's decision to resign from that position as of January 19.

The party's spokesman on health, Dr Ken Baugh, appears to be the front-runner for the job, however, party insiders say that it will not be a "one-horse race".

smith. also in the race

Baugh, the candidate of the party's reformist wing led by party leader aspirant Bruce Golding, is likely to be challenged by a candidate from the party's traditionalist wing, long-time Seaga loyalists who are likely to support the candidacy of current leader of opposition business in the House of Representatives, Derrick Smith.

Smith, the party's deputy leader in charge of the Corporate Area and spokesman on national security, has been the leader of opposition business in the House for the past four years and some JLP MPs think that he should be the "obvious choice" for opposition leader, while the party awaits the finalisation of the process of electing a new leader and leader of the opposition.

Asked about the situation yesterday, Smith said that he did not wish to comment on the matter, but agreed that as leader of opposition business in the House, he should be the first choice as an interim opposition leader.

The party's Selection Committee was scheduled to meet last night, under the chairmanship of Seaga, to discuss the selection of a candidate to succeed him in West Kingston.
There were indications prior to last night's meeting that if Golding offers himself for the seat, he would be given the committee's support.

"Well, if he is to become the leader of the party and a vacancy appears, we would have no choice but to select him to fill that vacancy," a party source said last night, prior to the meeting.

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