The Editor, Sir:

I think the one-hour, monthly, radio call-in programme launched by the JLP and hosted by Prime Minister Bruce Golding is an excellent, strategic one for a number of reasons. His advisers should be commended for this one! The first is that with the uncertainties going on with Vaz and the narrow margin of victory for the JLP in the September 3, 2007 election, there may be a need for a snap election within a year's time or so.

Mr Bruce Golding, being the host of a radio talk show, will get an opportunity not only to reach, first-hand, millions of Jamaicans, locally and abroad, but in a sense, would put the seemingly scrambling PNP at a serious disadvantage in terms of readiness for the start of a new political campaign. As a result of this current talk-show exposure and apparent down-to-earth and reachable persona on the part of Mr Golding and his JLP, the PM will not merely be seen as more reachable, personable and likeable but will, quite likely, assume 'a-bigger-than-life' celebrity role and status not acquired by any political leader in recent times. Media personalities on the major talk shows will pale in comparison to the popularity that the PM could attract via his talk show if he plays the right chord!

In addition to the foregoing points, and closely related to the point of becoming a media star, the Jamaican masses are more likely to see the prime minister as more likeable, honest and trustworthy in this stead. His apparently easy and smooth ways of articulating on the issues, as demonstrated during the recent election campaign and his debut on his most recent talk show, can do nothing less than to augment his worth politically, and that of his party, in the eyes of the public.

A gamble

Despite having said the above, all my predictions could go to nought and through the window like a bird, if Mr Golding, over time, should become inconsistent and evasive on salient questions relating to the economic advancement of Jamaica and even on 'bread-and-butter' issues that are bound to be brought to the fore by its monthly callers to his radio show. It is very important that the PM is perceived as answering adequately, questions that directly relate to issues that are basic to Jamaica's leap ahead in the Caribbean and the globe at large.

This, however, is a gamble the PM seems prepared to take. Accordingly, it would be prudent that Mrs Simpson Miller and the PNP be similarly prepared to stave off any advantage now in the realm of Mr Golding and his JLP by reason of his monthly talk show!

Further, one should not be surprised if after a year or so, or when the snap elections are called, this programme be laid to rest, even if the JLP should remain at the political helm of Jamaica. In such a scenario, my suspicions for the launch of this radio programme would have become factual and not merely some crazy speculations on my part, a poor member of the diaspora out of Canada who, some have expressed, should not even be given his constitutional right of expressing my views in a Jamaican newspaper while living in the 'comfort' of a foreign country.

Fellow Jamaicans who still read letters accompanied with a foreign email address, only time will tell. What do you think?

I am, etc.,

JOSHUA SPENCER

joshuaspencer@rogers.com

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica