THE POLITICAL arena has recently been the focus of considerable suspense which is now beginning to fade as events fall into place and final decisions are taken. Mr. Seaga has completed the civilised rituals of departure, and well-deserved praise for his years of service to the nation have been bestowed upon him by his parliamentary colleagues.
Dr. Peter Phillips has announced his candidacy for leader of the People's National Party when Mr. Patterson retires some time this year. Any speculation about Mr. Patterson's departure being delayed now appears to be unfounded.
Mr. Pearnel Charles has decided not to accept nomination for leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party and, with the withdrawal of Mr. Desmond McKenzie, the question of who will take over from Mr. Seaga as the representative for West Kingston in a future by-election has been answered. Mr. Golding, front runner for leadership of the JLP but who is without a Parliamentary seat, has apparently swallowed his aversion to garrison politics and taken on the challenges of West Kingston.
In the national interest, this seems to make sense since it shortens any period of uncertainty that would result from Mr. Golding being named leader of his party but unable to make his presence felt in the Lower House of Parliament.
This reasoning seems to have appealed to Mr. Seaga who, despite his close association with Desmond McKenzie and his past criticisms of Mr. Golding, has publicly supported him to take over the West Kingston constituency. There are those who think that this might create an ideological embarrassment for Mr. Golding but at a press conference, he has faced the issue head on in claiming that West Kingston had already begun shedding its garrison image.
The chaos that threatened the Opposition party has now been resolved in the aftermath of the emotional farewell accorded Mr. Seaga. What remains is a by-election that is expected to provide a seat in the House of Representatives for Mr. Golding without which he cannot fully replace the former leader.
The focus now in this year of political change shifts to the People's National Party. The contenders for the leadership the prime minister is due to surrender have been lining up either with formal launches or simple statements of intent.
These events signal new styles of political transition unlike the early years of independence when the successors to the founding fathers were more readily identified. It could well be that our democracy is reaching for maturity with more than a few candidates for national leadership.
