Dear Editor,

The leadership race in the Jamaica Labour Party came and went in a flash. Last Sunday saw Andrew Holness defeating Audley Shaw convincingly to legitimise his leadership. With the win, Holness is the first elected leader of the 70-year-old Labour movement. The win also gave Holness the opportunity of bringing a new slate to the spokesman’s bench, after the entire shadow cabinet resigned.

The leadership race has brought forth the worst of both camps, with Holness suggesting he doesn’t want losers around him (which currently make up 66.67% of constituency caretakers and over 150 councillor caretakers), while Tufton outlining his model leader (a leader that is not intimidated by bright people, a leader that is inclusive).

The aftermath of the election seems, however, to be much more difficult than the lead-up. Since then, Mr Holness has gone ahead and selected a shadow cabinet which is left wanting. He rewarded “teamJLP” faithfuls with key spokesperson positions, only including Audley Shaw and Ed Barlett from the team which challenged him.

Mr Holness has also suggested that, like the shadow spokespersons, senators should resign. The Senate however has not done so. The noise is around Christopher Tufton, who supported Shaw and is said to have made some stinging remarks about Holness. Let us bear in mind that this is the same Chris Tufton who is accredited to be one of the best performing ministers in the Golding Cabinet, and also at the time of Golding’s retirement was a front-runner, along with Holness, for leadership. Therefore, one of the most popular men in the Labour Party, a man with intellect and one that also does well for the image of the Party has been left out.

The appointments of the shadow spokesperson may be seen as youthful exuberance by the confirmed leader of the JLP. His hasty decision to name a shadow cabinet without first meeting with all stakeholders may send the wrong message, not just to delegates or supporters of the party but also the wider electorate.

The leader of the JLP must always be cognisant of who he leads, and that is the entire JLP. His responsibility as leader must now be to motivate and inspire; outline a vision and objectives; and lead.

Holness must acknowledge that had everything been okay with his leadership, Mr Shaw wouldn’t have challenged him; much less amass 43 perc cent of the delegates’ vote. He must therefore reflect on his stewardship thus far, and endeavour to ensure that he continuously adjusts his style to create the type of party he envisions. Delay your decisions until thorough thought can be put in and objectivity is able to step in.

Ozane Bell

ozane.bell@gmail.com