Dear Editor,

Dr Kenneth Baugh as deputy prime minister will succeed Prime Minister Bruce Golding when he retires in November, which is a given. Why is he deputy prime minister? It is because he was elected by his party. He has served the JLP faithfully for 40 years through mainly thin, and very little thick. He is a statesman of high esteem who is highly regarded through all walks of life, abroad as well as at home.

As acting prime minister for one year, going into next year is a pivotal one – our 50th anniversary of Independence. He will have established himself as a leader who will have the best chance of securing another JLP term – the usual two terms of Jamaican politics. He will only be 75 at that time, God willing. The youngsters in the party will still be very young – in their 40s and 50s, and ready to take over. They need to rally around Dr Baugh and give their full support for one who has given yeoman’s service to the party. How would they like for someone junior to then step over their heads for a leadership role?

Let unity prevail, stand behind him and show solidarity. It would be fitting and most deserving for him to be the leader and the next prime minister of Jamaica. Let seniority and sanity prevail. Dr Baugh and I were schoolmates at Cornwall College, and we both were JLP candidates in the 1976 elections. I was in Linstead then.

I speak for hundreds of supporters in Texas, and all over the USA. Prime Minister Golding needs to rally the troops behind his deputy and stop any bickering. PM, Dr Baugh deserves your support as he has supported you.

Carlton Clarke

Professor of Medicine

Dallas, Texas

USA

ckandpjclarke@att.net