THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE PERMIT me to share with your readers my disgust, contempt and deep sadness when I see the jockeying for the position of leadership in both the People's National Party and The Jamaica Labour Party, and the vulture-like utterances and writings of some persons in the media.
Some have the gall to declare that this is democracy. This is a display of selfishness, greed and hunger for power on the part of those jockeying for leadership. They should all be ashamed of themselves. Mr. Patterson spoke volumes when he said that while Mr. Michael Manley was the leader of The People's National Party, he, (Mr. Patterson) did not express an intention to replace Mr. Michael Manley as leader.
The recent happenings in the political arena underscore the need for us to change our system of government. All those vying for the top leadership position in both political parties do so with the hope of being Prime Minister of Jamaica. Some of these contenders are in the race because they know that most Jamaicans do not have a vote in these party elections. Each leader will be chosen by delegates of the respective party and then imposed on the rest of us as Prime Minister should his/her party win the next General Elections.
In light of the above, I suggest that the best parting gift that the present Prime Minister could give to Jamaicans is to put a system in place that will allow each eligible voter in Jamaica to vote for the next Prime Minister of Jamaica. Both he and The Leader of the Opposition should work together on this venture.
I am, etc.,
WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN
Bagatelle District
Ashley P.A., Clarendon
winab@cwjamaica.com
