Dear Editor,

Why should Joan Gordon-Webley, a former member of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), not have the right in a democracy such as ours to apply for membership in the People’s National Party (PNP)?

It is surprising, and in many respects alarming, that there should be those who would be upset with her decision to want to continue to serve her country in another political party other than to that which she once belonged. It is equally alarming that members in the PNP would be upset with the decision of their party to grant her membership. I am sure that Gordon-Webley can continue to serve Jamaica through the PNP and she should be encouraged and supported.

It must, however, be very worrying to the presently very weak JLP that politicians of the calibre of Gordon-Webley and others have left their party to join their opponents. Are JLP members not now asking themselves just what is it that they need to do to keep their supporters and members? And why isn’t there a commensurate number of worthwhile members of the PNP resigning and joining the JLP? The PNP, however, should be careful that members who over time, like in any political party, may become disgruntled and would want to resign, but have no credible alternative to join, remain and cause infighting and weaken of the party.

We need strong, united and well-led political parties if the democracy we enjoy, and which we should guard jealously, is to survive.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com