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JLP dismay! - Party officials unhappy with latest Holness move
JLP insiders say all is not well
Monday, April 15, 2013
The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) appears on the brink of another implosion as discontent mounts over the leadership being provided by Andrew Holness.
The latest discord affecting the often fractious party surrounds its second consultation on the economy held at Portmore Missionary Church yesterday at which Holness was the featured speaker.
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What got JLP insiders fuming, though, was the exclusion of the party's spokesmen on issues relevant to the economy. They are Audley Shaw, finance; Dr Christopher Tufton, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and investment; and Gregory Mair, industry, commerce and energy.
Instead, a JLP flyer for the consultation, titled 'Connecting -- Focus on the Economy' -- advertised Robert Montague, JLP chairman; James Robertson, JLP deputy leader; Dr Andrew Wheatley, deputy general secretary; and Shahine Robinson, MP for St Ann North East.
"This is absolutely crazy," one party insider told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. "How can the JLP be having a discussion on the economy with Jamaicans and exclude the spokespersons who are charged with the responsibility of overseeing the portfolios relevant to the economy?"
According to the party insider, who did not wish to be named, Shaw, who was the finance minister in the last JLP Government, feels totally disrespected and it would not be a surprise if he resigned.
A media advisory of the event announced that the consultation "will focus on the economy and is aimed at giving Jamaicans a chance to help guide JLP policies on the development of Jamaica".
The Observer was unable to reach Shaw, Tufton and Mair for a comment. However, last week a senior JLP official signalled to this newspaper that all was not well in the party as Holness was increasingly being seen as a weak and insecure leader.
"Look at what Daryl [Vaz] did, announcing that he will take a 10 per cent pay cut. Andrew, as leader of the party, should have done that," said the official.
Last week, Vaz had announced that he would give back 10 per cent of his salary as Member of Parliament in solidarity with the sacrifice that Jamaicans are being asked to make in the face of a worsening economy.
The party official also said that Holness is showing poor judgement and insecurity by surrounding himself with Robertson and Montague as his "palace guards".
Last week as well, another senior party official told the Observer that he was "not impressed" with Holness's leadership, as the major issues confronting the country are not being forcefully addressed by him as Opposition leader.
"This is creating concern in the party and the business community," the official said.
The exclusion of Shaw, Mair and Tufton from yesterday's consultation has apparently rubbed salt into the wounds inflicted by the party's handling of the first such event in Montego Bay some weeks ago.
According to another JLP insider, Shaw, after being advertised for that event, was instructed at the last minute not to attend. However, Shaw, the insider said, told the party that he could not obey that instruction and turned up at the event to rousing applause.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2QWqZNVLf
JLP insiders say all is not well
Monday, April 15, 2013
The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) appears on the brink of another implosion as discontent mounts over the leadership being provided by Andrew Holness.
The latest discord affecting the often fractious party surrounds its second consultation on the economy held at Portmore Missionary Church yesterday at which Holness was the featured speaker.
1/1
What got JLP insiders fuming, though, was the exclusion of the party's spokesmen on issues relevant to the economy. They are Audley Shaw, finance; Dr Christopher Tufton, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and investment; and Gregory Mair, industry, commerce and energy.
Instead, a JLP flyer for the consultation, titled 'Connecting -- Focus on the Economy' -- advertised Robert Montague, JLP chairman; James Robertson, JLP deputy leader; Dr Andrew Wheatley, deputy general secretary; and Shahine Robinson, MP for St Ann North East.
"This is absolutely crazy," one party insider told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. "How can the JLP be having a discussion on the economy with Jamaicans and exclude the spokespersons who are charged with the responsibility of overseeing the portfolios relevant to the economy?"
According to the party insider, who did not wish to be named, Shaw, who was the finance minister in the last JLP Government, feels totally disrespected and it would not be a surprise if he resigned.
A media advisory of the event announced that the consultation "will focus on the economy and is aimed at giving Jamaicans a chance to help guide JLP policies on the development of Jamaica".
The Observer was unable to reach Shaw, Tufton and Mair for a comment. However, last week a senior JLP official signalled to this newspaper that all was not well in the party as Holness was increasingly being seen as a weak and insecure leader.
"Look at what Daryl [Vaz] did, announcing that he will take a 10 per cent pay cut. Andrew, as leader of the party, should have done that," said the official.
Last week, Vaz had announced that he would give back 10 per cent of his salary as Member of Parliament in solidarity with the sacrifice that Jamaicans are being asked to make in the face of a worsening economy.
The party official also said that Holness is showing poor judgement and insecurity by surrounding himself with Robertson and Montague as his "palace guards".
Last week as well, another senior party official told the Observer that he was "not impressed" with Holness's leadership, as the major issues confronting the country are not being forcefully addressed by him as Opposition leader.
"This is creating concern in the party and the business community," the official said.
The exclusion of Shaw, Mair and Tufton from yesterday's consultation has apparently rubbed salt into the wounds inflicted by the party's handling of the first such event in Montego Bay some weeks ago.
According to another JLP insider, Shaw, after being advertised for that event, was instructed at the last minute not to attend. However, Shaw, the insider said, told the party that he could not obey that instruction and turned up at the event to rousing applause.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2QWqZNVLf
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