Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Bruce Golding is absolutely correct in rejecting calls for him to resign over the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips distraction, regardless of whether the calls are honest and sincere, or driven by lying, self-righteous hypocrisy or raw political opportunism.

A decision to resign now or anytime soon, over this affair, would represent one giant step toward permanently destroying Jamaica’s much-vaunted democratic foundations and political stability. It would be a pyrrhic victory for the PNP and the various special interest groups in “PNP country”, of course. But how long would it take after this for Jamaica to become like Thailand which now appears to have abandoned all hope of changing national leadership other than by noisy, violent and chaotic mass uprisings and clashes with the authorities? Is that really the way we want Jamaica to go?

It is evident that some benefit, in terms of lessons learnt, must flow from how far the distraction has taken us as a country, so far.

But those who really care about Jamaica must now stand up and resist all further efforts to force the prime minister to resign over this affair. It is dishonest, unnecessary, dangerous, wicked, and not good for the country.

We must now step back and let the democratic process flow in an orderly manner. Let the government continue its work up until the next duly constituted general election. Let the legal and diplomatic processes flow, to ultimately settle the more important Dudus extradition and related issues – without the fearful, self-serving, hypocritical and self-righteous cacophony.

In fact, from here on, if Dr Peter Phillips, the Opposition Leader, Jamaicans for Justice, the churches, et al, should seek to continue distracting the government and the country, we should consider charging them with treason or something similar.

So far as an apology is concerned, Mr Golding has already apologised.

In fact, his very first response to Dr Phillips’ question in Parliament, was to say, “Mr Speaker, I apologise …that the headline .. being orchestrated… will not go unchallenged.”

C Anthony Gordon

Kingston

carltongor@gmail.com