By Garwin Davis, Assistant News EditorOPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga's hold on power within the Jamaica Labour Party has been significantly weakened over the past several days, party supporters said on the weekend.
Pointing to the defeat of two of his close allies Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and Ed Bartlett in the race for deputy leader and his backing down from earlier charges of 'tainted' money being used by her opponent to secure victory several senior party members said Mr. Seaga blundered badly furthering damaging himself and the party in the process.
"His days as party leader are numbered," said one on Friday.
Amid a firestorm of criticism and condemnation following his charge that he had reliable information to suggest that the Robertson camp was aided by money from questionable sources, the Opposition Leader late on Friday recanted, saying he was now satisfied that the Robertson camp was not involved in wrongdoing. For many though, the damage had already been done.
SEAGA CAN
NEVER RECOVER
"This is not an apology we would have love to see one based on all that was said," explained Daryl Vaz, head of Robertson's finance team and who had earlier in the week threatened legal action against Mr. Seaga.
According to one senior party source: "There is a feeling around here that Mr. Seaga can never recover from this blunder. This is it for him.
"His two loyalists, Ed Bartlett and Babsy Grange, were turned back last week by the delegates. Do you think that could have happened five years ago? We have been looking a decent way out for him for the longest while but he will not take the hint. The next message will be sent next week where Audley Shaw - his other loyalist - will be massacred by Golding," said the JLP official.
St. Ann businessman Robert Miller, a "staunch JLP supporter" who has contributed freely to the party's coffers over the years, said he would have a very difficult time giving another penny as long as Mr. Seaga remains as party leader.
That sentiment was also echoed by another party backer and contributor, Raymond Graham, from St. Mary.
"I gave freely to the Robertson camp and I also contributed to the party during both the Local Government and General elections - why there wasn't a fuss then? Mr. Seaga has really turned off a lot of people."
A Sunday Gleaner source said with 'the Seaga blunder', the deck has now been stacked against Audley Shaw who is set to go up against Bruce Golding for the position of chairman next Sunday. "He can't win."
The sources also noted that a number of senior JLP politicians, including Mike Henry, have been telling Shaw to "find a way out" of the race to save his career.
An emergency meeting among Area Council 3 delegates - for which Mr. Shaw is the deputy leader - was slated for last night at the Sandals Dunn's River Hotel in Mammee Bay, St. Ann.
"We allowed him to go back unopposed as deputy leader and behind our backs he is now running for chairman. The constitution clearly states that he has to resign his post as deputy leader before he can run for another position. Why is this rush to go for chairman - it is being done to appease whom?"
Outgoing party general secretary Dr. Ken Baugh, however, noted that while everyone within the party was concerned about the events that have taken centre stage over the past several days, he was not in a position to say whether it had in any way undermined Mr. Seaga as party leader.
"I haven't had any formal or informal discussions with anybody to make that sort of determination," Dr. Baugh said. "Mr. Seaga is highly respected as party leader - has been and still is being held in high esteem and that's all I can say on the matter." Dr. Baugh will not be seeking re-election as party general secretary in next Sunday's elections for officers of the party.
Karl Samuda, another party spokesperson, was equally diplomatic. "It's unfortunate what has taken place, but this should not be read as an indictment or a weakening of anybody. If anything, this should strengthen the resolve of the party. We will move on from this."
