GoldingLeonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
AS JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) senator, Bruce Golding, is formally ushered into the position of party chairman today, several executive members of the party are still unclear as to his specific plans to reform the party.
While many supporters agree that his being appointed to the position of chairman would be a huge part of the political weaponry to beat the People's National Party in the next general elections, many say if Mr. Golding has an agenda, they have not been introduced to it.
"I haven't seen any agenda for reform in the party. If anyone should be called a reformist in the party it should be me," said Mike Henry, Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon.
Mr. Henry said he had already met with Mr. Golding to discuss points on constitutional reform and other matters which he has long supported in his service in the party and was hoping the suggestions would be embraced as a part of Mr. Golding's agenda when that is revealed.
During the recently concluded conference of the JLP, political pundits referred to the emergence of two factions the loyalists on the one hand and the reformists on the other, with Bruce Golding at the centre of the reformist group.
Delroy Chuck, MP for St. Andrew North East, explained to The Sunday Gleaner that, "I don't know of it (Golding's agenda). To the best of my knowledge it hasn't been brought to the table as yet. If he has a reform agenda I would expect that in a new administration we will have new ideas to lift the party."
Others like Senator Norman Horne admitted that the addition of Mr. Golding to a senior position in the party was a strategic one but he too was not aware of Mr. Golding's agenda for reform.
"Basically the party needs to position all its political assets. Bruce is a political asset as is Mr. Shaw. We are creating a viable political force that will be able to combat the PNP," said Mr. Horne. "We have been talking about traditionalists and reformists but the truth is that reform comes out of tradition. I would hope that Mr. Golding would take a reformist position. I don't know if he has because I haven't heard from Mr. Golding yet."
G2K vice-president, Ian Hayles, was the only delegate interviewed who suggested he knew Mr. Golding's agenda. "He speaks about constitutional reform. He speaks about term limits which is very important and about creating a political environment where both parties can work together and those things I like," said Mr. Hayles. "I think our best days are still ahead."
Bruce Golding joined the JLP two weeks before the last General Election, and signed a seven-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the party. Among the key issues in the MoU, was a commitment to address the issue of separation of powers and the eventual elimination of political tribalism and garrison politics.
Last Sunday Audley Shaw, Opposition spokesman on Finance and deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Area Council Three, abandoned his quest to challenge Bruce Golding for the position of chairman of the party today. When asked about Mr. Golding's agenda, Nr. Shaw's response was: "If you want to know about the Memorandum, ask Mr. Golding, ask Mr. Seaga or ask the general secretary, I can't comment on that."
Mr. Golding could not be reached for comment.
The election for deputy General Secretary takes place today.
