The Editor, Sir:

In the In Focus section of your esteemed Sunday Gleaner of January 27, I quote your columnist Mr Kevin O'Brien Chang in his article, "Are Garrisons a form of social control?":

"In terms of raw power then, this built-in six PNP to three JLP garrison status quo suits the PNP, but not the JLP. So this new Labour administration has clear realpolitik incentives to dismantle garrisons. Does it have the will?"

I would argue that if I should use the points made by Mr Chang that it is in the interest of the JLP to eliminate garrisons, Jamaica might not live to see this sore healed! The problem with this is that I do not believe Bruce Golding has reached the point of being the sacrificial lamb for such a revolution to take place in Jamaica's politics, even though in the long run, history would crown him king for so doing!

It is true that the current JLP, if it decides to eliminate the wretched system of 'garrison upmanship', as a team, it would be in its general interest to do so, assuming that Mr Chang's exposition is correct. But would it be in Bruce Golding's interest to forfeit his stronghold and certainty of 'Prime Ministership' by doing away with such a system? I think not!

Promises

Bruce has already indicated that he intends to go down in the annals of Jamaica's political history as having been the prime minister Jamaica for 10 years, hence his argument to legislate that the PM's position can be held for only two successive terms.

With this reality in rigid focus, the Jamaican masses should not hold their collective breaths for any such support from Bruce, not even the team (the JLP) in general. There is just too much at stake, politically from an individual membership point of view. We have not reached the stage yet for such a political sacrifice in the name of country. The garrisons may eventually go, but not through any direct or concerted efforts either on the part of Bruce, Portia, the JLP, or the PNP - I daresay, not even from its lower echelons! This is the stark reality.

I am, etc.,

JOSHUA SPENCER

joshuaspencer@rogers.com

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica