OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga last night revelled in the glory of his party's near sweep of the Parish Councils, warning the ruling People's National Party (PNP) that it could mean the "beginning of the end" of their 14-year hold on power.
The Opposition Leader was swept into the party's office by the greenery of hundreds of supporters dressed in the party's colour, waving tree branches and flags and ringing bells.
He went directly to the conference room and started speaking to the crowd, without a microphone, as soon as their quieted down.
Mr. Seaga said that his party had asked the people to focus on three issues.
One was to pass judgement on the Government of the PNP. The second was to reinforce the party's stand on the need for a referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). And the third was to break up the PNP's monopoly on the power struture in governance.
"As I said so many times from the platform, the PNP held central government and all 13 parish councils. I pleaded with the people not to continue to tolerate this or to accept this, because when you hold all the reins of power it gives you power to be able to treat the people arrogantly, to do what you wish when you wish and how you wish and the people have no recourse. And I said to the people, let us break it up. Let the Jamaica Labour Party take over the local government system and leave the PNP, for the time being, with Central Government. The people responded today overwhelmingly," he said.
Mr. Seaga said that the JLP had asked the people to send a message, "and they sent a powerful message."
MANDATE
Explaining the meaning of the mandate, he said it means a better balance in governance and a stronger voice in local government administration and reform.
"But, it means much more," Mr. Seaga added. "and I am not prepared at this time to say tonight what else it can mean. We will meet as a party with the Councillors, Members of Parliament and others in a an early retreat to discuss the future. In the meantime, we must handle this matter delicately and deliberately.
"In a sense this is all a vindication for the JLP and for the whole concept and principle of hard work. For those who are seeking hope, this is hope. And for those who are looking to the fture we will treat this not as the end of the beginning, but as the beginning of the end."
He left the office immediately after the speech for home. He was accompanied by his wife, Carla.
