Smith and CharlesVernon Daley, Staff Reporter
THE POOL of candidates who will bid to replace Edward Seaga as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has started to take shape with two senior members declaring their hands last week.
Derrick Smith, one of four deputy leaders, as well as Pearnel Charles, a former deputy leader, have made it clear that they will be going for the party's top job, whenever Mr. Seaga decides to throw in the towel.
Other members of the party being seen as likely contenders for the leadership are former chairman Bruce Golding and deputy leaders, Audley Shaw and Ed Bartlett.
Mr. Smith told The Sunday Gleaner last week that he has been among the top leaders of the JLP for a long time and it was only natural that he would make a grab for the number one post whenever the time arises.
"That goes without saying... whenever the vacancy becomes available then I am obviously one that is qualified to make myself available," said Mr. Smith, who is the deputy leader for Area Council 1, which includes all constituencies in the Corporate Area.
He explained that he was not actively campaigning for the position but noted that his "preparations" for the position were ongoing. Mr. Smith who is described by some colleagues as a quiet, hard worker, had not given any indication before now that he had the appetite for the post of party leader and his soundings have triggered intense discussions among his colleagues.
Mr. Charles, a party stalwart, who was once thought to have more than a good chance of becoming leader, has made it clear that his interest in the position is as strong as ever.
"Whenever the position of leader of the JLP is vacant, I willbe interested in examining my availability and acceptability," he said. "This simply means that if tomorrow morning there was a position for leader of the JLP there would be nothing to stop me from exhibiting my interest."
Party insiders say that some potential candidates are already seeking to create the power base from which to launch their challenge for the leadership whenever Mr. Seaga steps aside. There are whispers in the corridors of the JLP that Mr. Golding and Mr. Charles, who are brothers-in-law, are likely to challenge for deputy leader posts at the party's annual conference in early November.
Mr. Golding is said to be seeking to displace Olivia 'Babsy' Grange as deputy leader for Area Council 2, while Mr. Charles is rumoured to have set his eyes on Area Council 4, which is now controlled by Audley Shaw.
Mr. Charles, a trade unionist with a populist style, says he is still studying all the political trends within the party and has not yet formed a solid view as to whether he should go up against Mr. Shaw.
"I have not yet decided. I have not yet consulted my colleagues on the importance of it," he said, adding: "I think positions should be challenged, if we are not satisfied with the performance of those who hold them."
Mr. Golding who returned to the JLP three weeks before the October 2002 General Election was, however, quick to dismiss the talk of a challenge to Ms. Grange when The Sunday Gleaner spoke to him last week.
"Absolutely not true," he growled, noting that he had no interest in becoming a deputy leader of the party. "I haven't thought of any position to be honest with you. There is a lot of work that the party has to do and I have been working in those areas that I have been assigned."
TRAMPLED ON SUGGESTIONS
Mr. Golding also trampled on suggestions that he might be looking to go back as chairman of the JLP the last post he held before walking out six years ago to form the now struggling National Democratic Movement (NDM).
Ill-health is likely to force Ryan Peralto to give up the chairmanship of the party later this year, leaving acting deputy chairman, Percy Broderick, as one of the top contenders for the post.
At the same time, sources say Dr. Horace Chang, who was elected MP for North West St. James last year is quietly mounting his campaign to challenge Ed Bartlett for the Deputy Leader for Area Council 3. Dr. Chang could not be reached for comment up to press time last night.
"It won't be admitted but that campaign is taking place," one source said. "I know that campaign managers have been appointed."
Mr. Shaw, the Opposition Spokesman on Finance is keeping his cards close to his chest, refusing to say whether he will make a pitch for leadership when Mr. Seaga steps aside from the post he has held for nearly three decades.
One of the JLP's most visible spokesmen, Mr. Shaw has terrorised the current administration with numerous revelations of waste and corruption in Government and consistently shows up behind Mr. Golding, in opinion polls, as the most suitable replacement for Mr. Seaga.
Though Mr. Seaga has not indicated a timetable for his departure, one party source thinks "his fortune is tied to P.J. Patterson". With Prime Minister Patterson declaring that he will not be contesting the next election, due in 2007, many feel that Mr. Seaga, 73, would have a hard time going up against a younger leader of the governing People's National Party (PNP).
