Charles
George Henry, Gleaner Writer
WITH THE Opposition Jamaica Labour Party's annual conference just four months away, persons in the parish of Clarendon are considering whether Bruce Golding or Pearnel Charles is better suited to replace Edward Seaga as leader of the party.
Mr. Seaga announced in June that he will be stepping down from the post in November after 30 years at the helm. Golding is seen as the front-runner for the job with Charles, his brother-in-law, his main rival.
Checks last week with JLP supporters show that there is strong support for Golding who left the JLP in 1995 to head the National Democratic Movement, but who announced his return to the JLP weeks before the 2002 General Election.
Although there is strong support for Charles, who is Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon, most of that backing comes from his constituents.
Most of the people supporting Charles point to his loyalty to the party despite several run-ins with Seaga. They say he bore several embarassing moments and stuck with the party through thick and thin. Others say they were willing to forgive Golding for leaving the JLP and would support him as the new JLP Leader.
Noel Morgan told The Sunday Gleaner that he is a JLP delegate who has served the party for more than 30 years. He says Charles' loyalty ensures the union man will get his vote; Morgan added that Golding's departure left a sour taste in his mouth : "Him run away and I don't know if him would not run away and leave the party again," said Morgan.
Dorval Henry is a well-known supporter of the JLP. He agrees with Morgan and believes Charles' union background would help garner support at the grassroots.
"Pearnel is a man who will look out for the benefits of the party and for the poor more than everybody else and I am of the view that if given a chance to lead the party he would do well," said Henry.
Mr. Henry noted that Mr. Charles may not be as alert a thinker as Golding, but stated that he has the necessary resources to lead.
Roland White disagreed. He says anyone who votes for Mr. Charles would be stupid as he lacks the vision to lead Jamaica: "I do not think he is articulate enough to think on his feet. His history has been tainted just like Bruce, but I do not think Pearnel has the requisite skills, which come with vision, to hold this country together," said White. "I think it is more appropriate for him (Pearnel) to stick to what he does best, which is trade unionism."
Radcliffe Cameron is from a community that has traditionally voted JLP. He told The Sunday Gleaner that he will be supporting Golding whom he says he has long forgiven for parting ways with the party nine years ago.
He believes that Golding has the skills to be the next Prime Minister of Jamaica, based on his experience, and thinks of him as a "bright, articulate individual." His wish is that he will be victorious when the time for choosing the next JLP leader comes.
