By Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
A GRIM-FACED Edward Seaga emerged from a near-eight-hour meeting with senior members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Friday night still in charge but, according to party insiders, battling for his political life.
Amid mounting concerns over his huge financial debts and criticisms over his suitability to remain as JLP leader, Mr. Seaga called an extraordinary meeting of the party's Standing Committee following media reports that Town and Country Resorts a company owned by the Opposition Leader was $443 million in debt.
Mr. Seaga recieved a vote of confidence to continue as leader but two camps emerged from the meeting.
"Mr. Seaga, as he is apt to do...especially when his back is against the wall...made it clear that he was willing to step down if the party no longer felt comfortable with him as leader," one source who attended the meeting said. "While the consensus was in his favour, I wonder what would have happened if the same question was asked in a meeting with only the 26 Members of Parliament present. One must never forget that the Standing Committee was basically hand-picked by Mr. Seaga and consists of people who would never dare to cross him. Why was it necessary to merge a meeting with the Standing and Parliamentary committees...why not have separate meetings and put his leadership to the test. Some people were so fed up with the entire farce that they simply walked out."
The Sunday Gleaner saw persons walking out of the meeting and overheard one saying: "This is why the JLP will not get anywhere. People have no guts... no balls. They are just.... lackies."
Others though had a different take on the meeting.
"The Standing Committee met to discuss a report that there was a concern among JLP Members of Parliament as to the ability of Edward Seaga to continue as Leader of the Opposition," explained Dr. Percy Broderick, JLP deputy chairman.
"After an exhaustive discussion and expression of opinions and after a report on the progress of the voluntary liquidation of Premium Investments Limited and the creditor's winding-up of Town and Country Resort Limited, the Standing Committee mandated the Members of Parliament to meet.
Following a closed door meeting, the 21 MPs in attendance confirmed that Mr. Seaga enjoys their full confidence and has not in any way lost the moral authority to continue as Leader of the Opposition."
Friday night's meeting was also called against the background of Mr. Seaga reporting last year that his company - Premium Investments Limited - would be placed into voluntary liquidation in order that its assets be sold and the net proceeds be used to cover the debts of its subsidiary company, Town and Country Resorts Limited. It was also called to quell the report that was making the rounds within party circles - that Mr. Seaga was facing bankruptcy and was in danger of losing his position as Opposition Leader.
Chapter V of the Jamaican Constitution states that: "No person shall be qualified for election as a Member of the House of Representatives who has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of the Commonwealth and has not been discharged."
Dr. Broderick continued: "The media simply hyped this one...to make something out of nothing...there's no crisis here."
His colleague Abe Dabdoub also chipped in: "The truth is that there is a section of the media that simply wants to see a change in Opposition Leader and will do almost anything to further that agenda."
Derrick Smith, one of the JLP's four deputy leaders, said Mr. Seaga's leadership was never in question, noting that the Opposition Leader was not a liability to the party.
Asked whether Mr. Seaga had indicated or given any hint of when he may step aside as party leader, Mr. Smith said he was not aware of any timetable given or asked for. "Nothing like that was ever said in my presence," he said.
But while the JLP's senior members were willing to put up a unified front for their clearly embattled leader, Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the JLP, was in no such mood.
"The Prime Minister has indicated that he will be stepping down some time before the next general election is called," Mark Rodney, the organisation's general secretary reminded.
"In order for the JLP to make a strong showing it might well be that the party should get a new leader," he said.
"This year marks 30 years since Mr. Seaga has been leader of this party. In 21 of those years the JLP has been in opposition. In most democratic countries, such a leader would have to do some serious assessment in terms of his performance...such a leader would do the honourable thing and step aside. It's time we stop beating around the bush and pretend that the JLP is all about one person. People came here with the view tonight that something big would happened...that either he would announced his resignation or forced to do so. I can tell you, the expectations - for or against Mr. Seaga, were very high."
Mr. Seaga exited in the same manner he had arrived at the meeting. He was whisked into his van without saying much to reporters.
"I have nothing to say," he muttered. "Dr. Broderick will take your questions."
