THE battle to replace long-standing People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament Dr Omar Davies as chairman of the party’s St Andrew Southern constituency organisation promises to be intense.

Political pundits believe it is an indication of what is to come if those with leadership ambitions mount their challenge to Portia Simpson Miller’s presidency of the Opposition party.

Davies, having served the once explosive constituency since 1993 after winning a by-election, is expected to step down as chairman in August, and MP at a later date. He cited his health as the reason for his expected departure.

The former transport and works minister, who also served as finance minister for some 14 years, has seemingly hand-picked his successor — former Justice Minister Mark Golding — who last Wednesday launched his bid to replace him. This has drawn the ire of former head of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Colin Campbell, who launched his bid to replace Davies recently and is backed by George Phang, an influential figure in the constituency.

The two aspirants locked horns last Wednesday while speaking to editors and reporters at a Jamaica Observer Press Club at the newspaper’s headquarters in Kingston, when the question of who had Davies’ backing was raised.

“I had been brought into South St Andrew by Dr Davies some eight years ago and I think he saw in me someone whom he deemed would be a worthy successor,” Golding said when asked about his interest in the seat.

“I have an interest in inner-city life and its development. In the early years of my life I was quite involved in August Town. My father started the Mona Rehab Centre, now named after him, and I have always had an interest in, and have been exposed to, the more vulnerable and less fortunate persons. I think South St Andrew is a very interesting place as regards to its culture and I didn’t go into this constituency because of its ‘safe seat’ tag, but rather as a way to experience politics first-hand on the ground and to serve. So, this opportunity has come and I have decided to step forward and this is just the culmination of a process which was started several years ago and doesn’t represent an opportunistic decision on my part this time,” Golding said.

Without hesitation, Campbell rebutted Golding’s statement: “What Mark said awhile ago precisely differentiates between my candidacy and his. Basically, what Mark has said is that Dr Davies identified him as the successor to his seat. The last time I checked, South St Andrew was not a kingdom and therefore there is no king, which means we have a democratic process which involves the delegates and not Dr Davies.

“Dr Davies has served with great distinction for 23 years, but that still does not give him the right to say who succeeds him; it is for any member of the PNP to offer themselves. So therefore, for someone to enter upon a reference by the MP who is exiting, I think is the wrong reason. I think you have to be there because you see and have identified yourself as a person for the situation. Where you can go to the delegates with a clear vision of what needs to be done in South St Andrew; where you can enhance the process coming from Vernon Arnett, through to Tony Spaulding, through to Bobby Jones and through to Dr Davies. That is precisely why we have a party of the nature that we have, with all the structural set-ups — not Dr Davies, with the greatest of respect.”

Golding responded: “And I fully endorse that. And as I said initially, I think the democratic process is a healthy one.”

But an obviously agitated Campbell was not through with the matter: “Do you believe the outgoing member of parliament should be campaigning for anybody running for the seat to succeed him?”

“That’s up to him and I see no problem with it,” Golding shrugged.

“You cannot have a situation whereby the MP, who is still in control of all the resources of the constituency, calling delegates to tell them who to vote for in the election. It is not proper,” Campbell fired back.

“You are making allegations that I am not aware of,” Golding charged.

“I am aware of it and it is not proper. You were even touring with Dr Davies recently,” Campbell argued.

“On labour day we visited the various projects that the constituency executives had organised. And as for the allegation about him (Davies) calling delegates, that’s a matter for you and him to discuss. I see nothing wrong with it for him to take an interest with the delegates in who he wishes to see take up the mantle. He has an interest in his legacy and wants to protect it,” Golding said.

“It is not a kingdom!” Campbell interjected. “It is a constituency. Therefore he is not a king and there cannot be any princesses or princes. What is required there is that once the process is opened, persons submit themselves to the votes of the delegates,” he added.

Asked about his relationship with Davies, Campbell said: “I speak to him regularly, about South St Andrew and about my concerns as to how the campaign is progressing and the role of the chairman and secretary of the constituency. This party was carefully designed by the founding fathers that we do not find ourselves conflicted in certain circumstances and that’s where my concerns were.”

The Observer then pressed Campbell for a response regarding why he does not have Davies’ support.

“I don’t know, and my answering of that would be pure speculation,” he said, insisting that Golding should state his real reason for seeking the position.

The Observer then asked Golding to explain why he had decided to run for chairman when it was alleged that he had told the constituency’s executive he would not.

Golding responded: “…Dr Davies had recently fallen ill and I wasn’t sure if he was going to make a full recovery or not. I explained to the executive what my decisions were and that I had not yet made a decision as to what I would do moving forward. I went through a process of further reflection and, as it became apparent that Dr Davies and his family wanted him to withdraw from the public and very active life of representational politics ,I consulted with persons on the ground and members of the constituency and saw that I had strong support and the urge to continue the normalisation of the constituency — where ordinary Jamaicans can live, grow and develop and have free lives to pursue their dreams. I want to play my part in supporting them and carry on the work that Dr Davies had started.”

“I’m not sure why Colin is so bothered by my motivations, I don’t know if he thinks I’m dishonourable,” he added.

“No, I don’t think so,” said Campbell.

“Well, like you Colin, I want to serve that constituency well. I have certain talents, experience, resources, networks of support and contacts which I think can benefit the people and that’s what I’m offering them as well as the commitment of a clean heart and a capacity to work hard,” Golding said.

A total of 86 delegates, along with members of the constituency’s executive, are expected to decide who succeeds Davies.