THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE ALLOW me space to comment on an article dated August 3, 2003 in The Gleaner. Here I quote Mr Smith: "Whenever the vacancy becomes available then I am obviously one that is qualified to make myself available." Mr Charles: "Whenever the position of leader of the Jamaica Labour Party is vacant I will be interested."
Messrs Golding and Shaw were tight-lipped. What is this kind of behaviour demonstrated by these men? What is the behaviour suggesting in the mind of the public? Or is The Gleaner trying to play devil's advocate to stir emotions against Seaga and his leadership?
A group gets the leadership it deserves.
Where is the conscience of these men, including 73-year-old Seaga and his conscience? Is leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party or the People's National Party all about those who govern? Then leadership is a farce; it is nothing.
My question to these men is: What is leadership? Leadership is about martyrdom, leadership is about blood, sweat, pain, tears and death. (Marcus Garvey, Jamaica's greatest National Hero).
Mr Seaga and Mr Patterson should at this point give clear messages and set a timetable when they will demit office before the next general election.
They should give their successors and the Jamaican people enough time to become familiar. It has been 41 years since Jamaica received her independence and leadership in Jamaica has had enough time to act with maturity. Act like men and not boys.
Sincerely
JOAN PORTEOUS
