The Editor, Sir:

When did the divine right of leadership become a part of democratic socialist philosophy? Claude Rowe, in his letter to the Editor of July 24, berates Peter Phillips and others for daring to challenge for the leadership of the People's National Party. Indeed, he wants the PNP to rid itself of the challengers.

It is clear that democratic principles have yet to embed themselves in the likes of Rowe and others, who are apparently wedded to monarchic government. Queen Portia should not be challenged. This is not a rebuff of Mrs Simpson Miller, who also has the right to seek to maintain her presidency (not 'queenship') of the PNP.

Suggesting that Phillips or any other PNP member are traitors for presenting themselves as can-didates is tantamount to saying that any Jamaican (who hasn't sworn allegiance to a foreign power) is a traitor, who acts on their ambition to become the country's prime minister.

And what a warped comrade it is who, in print, states that his party held state power for 18 years mainly because the opposition was faced with leadership issues? A strange kind of loyalty from comrade Rowe to their divine majesties Michael Manley, Percival Patterson and Portia Simpson Miller.

If these luminaries gave nothing to Jamaica between 1989 and 2007, why shouldn't others offer their party and the country an alternative?

I am, etc,

MARK LEE

mark.lee@abengnews.com

Ontario, Canada

Via Go-Jamaica