Dear Editor,

It is profoundly scandalous that since the Jamaica Labour Party’s leadership race took place between Andrew Holness and Audley Shaw the party has still not got its act together and remains in a disorganised, chaotic and ramshackled state to the overall detriment of the country.

While listening to a radio station on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, I heard a segment of a speech that was made by Holness at the party’s Central Executive Committee meeting that took place on Sunday, March 8, 2015. In part, he made the point that he has repeatedly extended a hand of friendship to his party detractors and they have clenched their fists. Further, he posited that unity is extremely imperative for the party and that time is running out in this respect. I totally concur. This in-fighting being carried out by supporters of Audley Shaw must quickly be brought to an end because it is not serving the democratic process well.

This PNP Administration is poorly performing in many respects, yet the JLP continues to be in a disgraceful state and is not focusing on the numerous problems across the country.

Shaw’s supporters such as Daryl Vaz, Delroy Chuck and James Robertson need to put that bitter leadership race behind them and publicly declare that they are now willing to fully support and work with the leader for the unity of the JLP. If not they should tender their resignations and promptly leave the party.

On a radio news report aired on the Nationwide News Network evening current affairs programme, I heard Delroy Chuck criticising Holness in public at a constituency meeting in Vaz’s constituency and I said to myself that people like Delroy Chuck are destroying the party’s chance of becoming united and winning the next national election. If Chuck has any issue with Holness then the proper thing to do is to personally speak to the leader and settle those problems.

Daryl Vaz with his immense political skills and astute leadership capital should, in the interest of the party, begin to work closely with the leader to rebuild the party. He is also an excellent fund-raiser and campaign scholar and is very much an important asset to the party.

Holness has publicly stated that he has nothing politically or personally against Arthur Williams and Dr Christopher Tufton. However, based on Williams’ and Tufton’s actions since the declaratory judgement from the Constitutional Court, it would seem to me that they are very much opportunistic, which is sad to say the least. The appropriate thing for them to do is submit their resignations and make way for Nigel Clarke and Ruel Reid.

Holness needs to stand firm and strong and not allow anyone with corrupt and selfish agenda to push him out of the party as was the case with Edward Seaga.

Robert Dalley

robertdalley1@hotmail.com