With Clarke, JLP shooting itself in the foot…once again
Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has always been good at shooting itself in the foot. Forgetting the ugly ‘bangarang, when it tried to sideline Audley Shaw, it is now about to repeat the familiar exercise of self-flagellation.
The imposition of Ambassador Nigel Clarke on the constituents of St Andrew North Western is another example of leadership arrogance that simply says the people are not good enough to select the person they want to represent them.
It’s bad enough that they want to circumvent the democratic process, thus setting in train the basis for an all-out war among Labourites of the type that we have seen hamper the electability of the JLP in the past.
Now they are bringing in someone, Nigel Clarke, not because the constituency needs adequate and qualified political leadership, but because they want to replace Shaw as finance minister — a position which must come from the House of Representatives — and they want a safe seat.
What kind of vetting process goes on in the JLP for choosing political candidates? Can Clarke stand up to scrutiny and pass every smell test? He was a partner of someone who left the party under questionable circumstances. What do we know of him?
People are saying that Derrick Smith cannot impose his son, Duane Smith, on the constituency because it is not a family business. Equally, the JLP leadership should not impose a candidate on the constituency. Let the delegates decide.
At least we know that Smith was grooming Duane for the job, which is why he was able to win twice as a councillor. He certainly is no dud, having completed his first degree at university. He learnt at the feet of his father, who knows how to win elections, and he has served the people.
By the way, Shaw is not yet ready to be replaced. He is an outstanding finance minister who was able to win the enviable accolade of ‘Finance Minister of the Caribbean’. He has held the Jamaican economy steady against the winds of recession. Leave the man alone, Andrew Holness!
Jeffrey Arthurs, CD, JP
jeffar2016@hotmail.com
