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OBSERVER ONLINE - EDITORIAL - MOMENTOUS TIME FOR THE JLP
Monday, November 04, 2013 | 4:20 AM
By this time next week the country and the world will know the outcome of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) leadership race.
The campaigning has been rough, it has been filled with name calling, accusations and a certain amount of venom. The camps of the two candidates, present leader Andrew Holness and the aspirant Audley Shaw have not been afraid to highlight the deficiencies they perceive of each other, sometimes in very colourful language and style.
Press releases have flooded the media as no stone has been left unmoved in this celebratory 70th anniversary year of Bustamante’s party. When it is not about tainted delegate’s list, it’s about who in the party is supporting either Holness or Shaw and the list goes on.
Not for the first time the foundation of the JLP is being rocked. The JLP has survived in the past and one expects that after the votes are counted and the winner declared, they will close ranks yet again and get on with the business of being a worthwhile opposition.
The Westminster parliamentary democracy, the system of governance to which we subscribe demands a loyal and effective opposition, an opposition which when the time comes is a meaningful alternative to any government in power.
So we implore the leaders of the JLP at all levels to accept the results of this leadership election whether or not the candidate of choice is victorious.
To do anything else will have dire consequences for our democracy.
Mr Holness and Mr Shaw must accept triumph or defeat with grace and humility, knowing fully well that the work of being a viable opposition is just starting in earnest.
Delegates of which there are over 5,000, ring your bells, but always remember its Jamaica first and the JLP afterwards.
The eyes of Jamaica and indeed the world are watching very closely.
Mr Holness and Mr Shaw are duty bound to ensure the safety of our democracy.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2ji4xjvUo
OBSERVER ONLINE - EDITORIAL - MOMENTOUS TIME FOR THE JLP
Monday, November 04, 2013 | 4:20 AM
By this time next week the country and the world will know the outcome of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) leadership race.
The campaigning has been rough, it has been filled with name calling, accusations and a certain amount of venom. The camps of the two candidates, present leader Andrew Holness and the aspirant Audley Shaw have not been afraid to highlight the deficiencies they perceive of each other, sometimes in very colourful language and style.
Press releases have flooded the media as no stone has been left unmoved in this celebratory 70th anniversary year of Bustamante’s party. When it is not about tainted delegate’s list, it’s about who in the party is supporting either Holness or Shaw and the list goes on.
Not for the first time the foundation of the JLP is being rocked. The JLP has survived in the past and one expects that after the votes are counted and the winner declared, they will close ranks yet again and get on with the business of being a worthwhile opposition.
The Westminster parliamentary democracy, the system of governance to which we subscribe demands a loyal and effective opposition, an opposition which when the time comes is a meaningful alternative to any government in power.
So we implore the leaders of the JLP at all levels to accept the results of this leadership election whether or not the candidate of choice is victorious.
To do anything else will have dire consequences for our democracy.
Mr Holness and Mr Shaw must accept triumph or defeat with grace and humility, knowing fully well that the work of being a viable opposition is just starting in earnest.
Delegates of which there are over 5,000, ring your bells, but always remember its Jamaica first and the JLP afterwards.
The eyes of Jamaica and indeed the world are watching very closely.
Mr Holness and Mr Shaw are duty bound to ensure the safety of our democracy.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2ji4xjvUo
