Robinson By Balford Henry,
Staff Reporter
THE GOVERNMENT should not proceed with any major decisions which have serious implications for the country's future, without consultations with the Opposition, Edward Seaga, Jamaica Labour Party leader, said yesterday.
In a statement in the aftermath of Thursday's victory by the JLP in the St. Ann North East by-election, Mr. Seaga said the Government should make no further commitments to support the Caribbean Court of Justice, which the JLP opposes.
"Neither should any steps be taken to commit Jamaica to further heavy indebtedness or extensive use of the pool of workers' pension funds for high-cost, unessential, desperation projects like Highway 2000, which are beyond the present capacity of the country to absorb financially," Mr. Seaga warned.
Delay
And Shahine Robinson (JLP), the newly-elected MP for St. Ann North East, will not be sworn-in until next week Tuesday. The delay will allow Austin Hemmings, returning officer for the constituency, the seven days required under the Representation of the People Act, in which to report to the Director of Elections on the by-election.
Mr. Hemmings's report will include details on the number of polling stations, nomination papers, the condition and number of ballots received, any changes in the notice of grant of poll as published after the Nomination Day and a list of oaths of all persons in whose custody the ballot boxes remained between the close of poll and the final count of the votes.
The final count of the votes showed that Mrs. Robinson polled 7,797 votes to 7,324 for Carrol Jackson (PNP), 742 for the NDM's Barbara Clarke and 39 for Rastafarian Astor Black, independent candidate. Mrs. Robinson got 473 votes more than her nearest rival.
Mr. Seaga said yesterday that the by-election was a "mini-referendum" and that the results did not stand alone as they were indications of widescale rejection of the Government from polls commissioned by the party and increasing support for the JLP.
He suggested a 12 per cent to 18 per cent islandwide swing and warned Prime Minister P.J. Patterson that he "must not presume that because he has the constitutional right to call a general election" that it be his only consideration.
Mr. Seaga said that former PNP Prime Minister Michael Manley had called early elections in 1980 after he "realised that he had lost control of the country".
"Mr. Patterson should bear this in mind and recognise that his authority now has some limitations," the Opposition Leader said.
However, Mr. Seaga said the JLP did not intend to be "irresponsible and reckless" in giving leadership to the mood of the people. "There will come a right time when the right steps will be taken," he said.
