By Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
Audley Shaw surprised many by abandoning his quest for the position of JLP party chairman. - File
AUDLEY SHAW, Opposition spokes-man on finance and deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council Three, has abandoned his quest to challenge Bruce Golding for the position of chairman of the party next Sunday.
In a surprising twist to what, at best, has been a topsy-turvy week for the JLP, Mr. Shaw said his pulling out of the race was done with the party's and country's best interest in mind.
"I have received calls from, and have consulted with, several senior officers and members of the JLP regarding my proposed candidacy for the position of chairman," Mr. Shaw said.
"Several persons have made the point that since I already hold the post of deputy leader and Bruce Golding does not, at present, hold an officer post in the JLP, my candidacy could be perceived as seeking to prevent him from holding a post in the party. This perception is unfortunate, as I consider him to be a valuable member of the party."
He continued: "Several persons have also referred to opinion polls showing Mr. Golding and myself as leading contenders for future leadership of the JLP, and have pointed out that a contest between us at this time could be perceived as related to leadership succession in the party, a perception that is also unfortunate and is not in the best interest of the party. I will also say that I will have no problem supporting and endorsing the candidacy of Mr. Golding as chairman next week."
Mr. Shaw, last Thursday, in a move that surprised many of his own Area Council Three delegates and also some senior members of the JLP, declared that he would be challenging Mr. Golding who already had declared his intention to run for the position of chairman.
The announcement, though seen by the pundits as a dream match-up of two political heavyweights, was considered within party circles as untimely, especially since it came in the midst of last week's rift between party leader Edward Seaga and newly-elected deputy leader of the JLP's Area Council Two, James Robertson. Mr. Seaga had accused Mr. Robertson of using tainted money to assist in his campaign for deputy leader. The JLP leader would later recant on the statement, saying he was now satisfied that Mr. Robertson had acted above-board.
Senior party sources told The Gleaner last night that at an emergency meeting of Area Council Three delegates in St. Ann on Saturday night, a resolution was passed, unanimously requesting Mr. Shaw to withdraw his challenge to Mr. Golding or give up his deputy leader position.
"Not only did we felt slighted by his action declaring his candidacy for chairman without consulting with the delegates we also felt that the challenge to Mr. Golding was ill-advised and not in the interest of party unity at this time," one official noted.
"Audley Shaw has a lot to contribute and has contributed a lot to the JLP. He was however running the risk of what amounted to political suicide. The time and place for such a challenge is clearly not now. Many of us have told him this. We basically gave him an ultimatum run against Golding but rest assured that you must resign your post as deputy leader."
Mr. Shaw said yesterday that "in the interest of party unity and continuing the party's rebuilding process, I have made this decision" to withdraw from the chairmanship race.
He added: "Foremost on my agenda is to try to remove this government from office in the shortest possible time. I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that the JLP has a strong and united team working to get this job done. I will therefore remain in the position of deputy leader. At the same time, I recognise that the position of chairman and general secretary, in particular, need experienced, hardworking, and statesman-like leadership. I thank those who expressed their support for me and trust that they will accept my decision and understand the need to put the interests of the country and the party first."
Repeated efforts by The Gleaner to get a response from Mr. Golding last night were unsuccessful.
