- RUDOLPH BROWN/Chief Photographer
Bruce Golding speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party meeting at the Stony Hill Heart Academy in St. Andrew last year.
Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
BRUCE GOLDING, chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the man seen as the likely successor to Edward Seaga as party leader, is heading to Western Kingston to be the constituency's new caretaker, sources say.
This, they say, became possible when councillor for the area, Desmond McKenzie decided against launching his candidacy, opting instead to remain as mayor of Kingston.
A party insider told The Gleaner yesterday that Mr. McKenzie had already informed Mr. Seaga of his decision. Mr. Seaga, who will be giving up the seat in only a few days, had been reportedly prodding Mr. McKen-zie to make a run for Western Kingston.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Mr. Golding did not offer much by way of information, saying a process had to be followed.
"That's a decision that has to be taken by the delegates of West Kingston. They are the only ones who can speak authoritatively," he said.
FIRM FAVOURITE
Both Mr. Seaga and Mayor McKenzie were equally coy when contacted.
"I have no comment on the matter," Mr. Seaga said. "The party will speak on that issue, I'm not making any public comment," the mayor added. "Every-thing will be known by Friday (today)."
Mr. Golding, following his nearly seven-year hiatus from the JLP, has seen his stock rising since his 2002 return, to the point where he is now seen as a firm favourite to lead the party in the post-Seaga era. There was, however, a concern that he needed a seat in Parliament to fully cement his claim as heir apparent to Seaga, a chance he now has with the JLP leader's imminent departure from representational politics.
RESIGNATION
On Tuesday, Mr. Seaga tendered his resignation as Opposi-tion Leader to Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke at King's House. The resignation takes effect midnight Wednesday, January 19, 2005.
Attorney-at-Law Tom Tavares-Finson and Mr. McKenzie had expressed interest in representing the constituency, with both having applications before the JLP Selection Committee.
On Monday, a number of Western Kingston residents, however, made their voices heard in Tivoli Gardens, where they publicly clamoured for Mr. Golding to be their next member of Parliament.
Many pointed to the fact that the constituency has a tradition of having prime ministers as their representatives, singling out Mr. Seaga, Sir Alexander Bustamante and Hugh Shearer as former MPs for the area.
Mr. Tavares-Finson reiterated yesterday that he would withdraw his candidacy once Mr. Golding publicly announced his interest in the seat.
