GOLDING
OPPOSITION LEADER Bruce Golding has warned Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) colleagues that nothing short of their best in carrying out their duties to the Jamaican people will be tolerated.
Speaking to party supporters in Mandeville on Sunday, Mr. Golding said the JLP can only form the next government if the electorate is convinced that the party is united and is a credible alternative to the governing People's National Party (PNP).
According to Mr. Golding, the party went through "some very turbulent times last year", noting that his first order of business is "to unite the party as one united family."
He, however, sounded the warning bell that he will be intolerant of caretakers or aspirants who fail to measure up to expectations.
He stressed that he has delayed naming a shadow Cabinet to give potential appointees breathing space and time to familiarise themselves with the various responsibilities of their assigned roles. He said he wanted persons in his Cabinet with the tenacity of Opposition spokesman on finance and Member of Parliament for North East Manchester Audley Shaw. The shadow Cabinet, he said, "will be the showcase" of the party and it has to be more focused and hard working than those of the past.
COSYING UP
Mr. Golding noted that there were party members who were of the view that he has been cosying up to the government on the crime issue, stressing that the situation warranted serious cooperation. He explained that solving the crime problem should not be a political issue, adding that in the final analysis it will be the people who will decide if the present government's handling of the problem is satisfactory.
He, however, blasted Minister of Finance Dr. Omar Davies for jeopardising the future of the newly-born by his poor handling of the country's finances, pointing to the ever increasing debt problem.
According to Mr. Golding, a baby born on Sunday morning entered the world with a debt string around its neck of "$300,000". Before the baby is even wrapped up, Dr. Davies is there tying that string around its neck."
