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BANGARANG! As pressure increases on Bruce
Published: Sunday | May 16, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
AN ANXIOUS nation waits to exhale today as Prime Minister Bruce Golding - besieged by a crashing crescendo of calls for his resignation - winds up consultations with members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to determine his political future.
Golding is scheduled to face the party's powerful Central Executive in Ocho Rios, St Ann, today after meeting, over the past two days, with JLP officers, leaders of his West Kingston constituency, and the party's parliamentary caucus.
It has been a trying time for the prime minister since he admitted in Parliament last Tuesday that he sanctioned the hiring of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in his capacity as JLP leader.
Golding's unapologetic stance in Parliament, after initially hinting that he had no knowledge of the engage-ment of the American law firm, stunned and angered many Jamaicans.
Five tumultuous days have passed, but the unprecedented flurry of demands for Golding's resignation seems unending.
Golding's tribulations were reflected in the cancellation of planned social-partnership talks with private-sector and trade-union leaders, and the called-off important meeting with church leaders.
Private-sector leaders backed away from Golding, while the prime minister bailed out on the church leaders.
A mere 32 months ago, Golding was swept to power by the tide of overwhelming support from some of the very organisations that are now demanding his resignation.
He had enjoyed the full backing of power brokers, including some of the private-sector leaders now calling for his head.
The vast and influential church community, as well as human rights organisations Jamaicans for Justice and Families Against State Terrorism have also joined the chorus.
Political observers and analysts appear to be in harmony that Golding will be hard-pressed to avoid handing his resignation to the governor general.
For once, the voice of the main opposition, the People's National Party (PNP), has not been as thunderous as the deafening demands of the non-political organisations, which want Golding's resignation.
The feeble voices of support from JLP stalwarts and [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]affiliate[/COLOR][/COLOR] organisations can hardly be heard over the din.
Olivia Grange, the minister responsible for culture, youth and sports, claims that the prime minister will not call it a day.
She asserted on Friday that Golding enjoyed her full support, a sentiment that has been echoed by Information Minister Daryl Vaz and the 13 government senators.
"We remain convinced that Prime Minister Bruce Golding's leadership of the country is required to continue the turn-around of the Jamaican economy, which is taking place, and to put Jamaica on a safe path for the future," the government [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]senators[/COLOR][/COLOR] said in a release late Friday.
The entire Cabinet is also reportedly backing Golding, but Vaz and Grange were the only government ministers to face the media during Friday's slew of meetings at Vale Royal.
However, Vaz seemed openly nervous about Grange's decision to speak publicly, and feverishly sought to lure journalists away from her at the entrance to Vale Royal.
Vaz asserted that Golding had taken the calls for his resignation quite seriously.
"There is no hiding it. The calls for the prime minister's resignation have to be placed squarely on the table," said Vaz.
He said the resignation demands had precipitated the series of meetings that climaxes today with the JLP Central Executive - the highest decision-making body of the party outside of annual conference.
Jamaica to hear results
The information minister and JLP deputy treasurer promised that Jamaicans would hear definitively from the prime minister following the consultations.
"The prime minister and the party and the Government will communicate to the country the result of these consultations," Vaz told journalists.
Vaz seemed particularly disturbed about swirling rumours that Golding had resigned, with Dr Ken Baugh selected to replace him, and appealed for patience.
"I am calling for calm and responsibility from those who report in the media," the information minister added.
Vaz also warned that speculation, sensationalism and rumours could disrupt what he described as the economic gains that had been made over the past year.
gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com
Published: Sunday | May 16, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
AN ANXIOUS nation waits to exhale today as Prime Minister Bruce Golding - besieged by a crashing crescendo of calls for his resignation - winds up consultations with members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to determine his political future.
Golding is scheduled to face the party's powerful Central Executive in Ocho Rios, St Ann, today after meeting, over the past two days, with JLP officers, leaders of his West Kingston constituency, and the party's parliamentary caucus.
It has been a trying time for the prime minister since he admitted in Parliament last Tuesday that he sanctioned the hiring of United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in his capacity as JLP leader.
Golding's unapologetic stance in Parliament, after initially hinting that he had no knowledge of the engage-ment of the American law firm, stunned and angered many Jamaicans.
Five tumultuous days have passed, but the unprecedented flurry of demands for Golding's resignation seems unending.
Golding's tribulations were reflected in the cancellation of planned social-partnership talks with private-sector and trade-union leaders, and the called-off important meeting with church leaders.
Private-sector leaders backed away from Golding, while the prime minister bailed out on the church leaders.
A mere 32 months ago, Golding was swept to power by the tide of overwhelming support from some of the very organisations that are now demanding his resignation.
He had enjoyed the full backing of power brokers, including some of the private-sector leaders now calling for his head.
The vast and influential church community, as well as human rights organisations Jamaicans for Justice and Families Against State Terrorism have also joined the chorus.
Political observers and analysts appear to be in harmony that Golding will be hard-pressed to avoid handing his resignation to the governor general.
For once, the voice of the main opposition, the People's National Party (PNP), has not been as thunderous as the deafening demands of the non-political organisations, which want Golding's resignation.
The feeble voices of support from JLP stalwarts and [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]affiliate[/COLOR][/COLOR] organisations can hardly be heard over the din.
Olivia Grange, the minister responsible for culture, youth and sports, claims that the prime minister will not call it a day.
She asserted on Friday that Golding enjoyed her full support, a sentiment that has been echoed by Information Minister Daryl Vaz and the 13 government senators.
"We remain convinced that Prime Minister Bruce Golding's leadership of the country is required to continue the turn-around of the Jamaican economy, which is taking place, and to put Jamaica on a safe path for the future," the government [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]senators[/COLOR][/COLOR] said in a release late Friday.
The entire Cabinet is also reportedly backing Golding, but Vaz and Grange were the only government ministers to face the media during Friday's slew of meetings at Vale Royal.
However, Vaz seemed openly nervous about Grange's decision to speak publicly, and feverishly sought to lure journalists away from her at the entrance to Vale Royal.
Vaz asserted that Golding had taken the calls for his resignation quite seriously.
"There is no hiding it. The calls for the prime minister's resignation have to be placed squarely on the table," said Vaz.
He said the resignation demands had precipitated the series of meetings that climaxes today with the JLP Central Executive - the highest decision-making body of the party outside of annual conference.
Jamaica to hear results
The information minister and JLP deputy treasurer promised that Jamaicans would hear definitively from the prime minister following the consultations.
"The prime minister and the party and the Government will communicate to the country the result of these consultations," Vaz told journalists.
Vaz seemed particularly disturbed about swirling rumours that Golding had resigned, with Dr Ken Baugh selected to replace him, and appealed for patience.
"I am calling for calm and responsibility from those who report in the media," the information minister added.
Vaz also warned that speculation, sensationalism and rumours could disrupt what he described as the economic gains that had been made over the past year.
gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com
