Devon Dick
THE RUMOUR last week that Team Portia was making overtures to Dr. Davies and Dr. Blythe about a merger has been denied. However, the fact that the speculation has gained currency is an indication that persons feel that the field is too crowded.
There are some who argue that there being four candidates, shows that there is democracy in the party and that there is depth of leadership within the PNP.
However, the danger is that the winner could get 30 per cent of the delegate vote and that would not be a clear and decisive mandate. It is here that the PNP could learn from the Conservative Party of Britain in how they are handling the succession race for a leader to succeed Mr. Howard.
Many influential leaders in the Conservative Party wanted to return to the days when it was the MPs who selected the leader. However, the rank and file revolted and a compromise was found - which is working.
FOUR CANDIDATES
In October, there were four candidates, namely David Davis the initial front runner; David Cameron, the youngest of the lot; Dr. Fox, a past co-chairman of the party; and Mr. Clarke, who had made previous unsuccessful leadership bids. At the party conference in October, all candidates spoke and the party and country got a glimpse of their vision, with Cameron getting the biggest bounce.
The rules were that the MPs would select the two top candidates and then the delegates would vote on that choice. After the first round of voting, Mr. Clarke dropped out although he was initially the most popular in the country, according to the polls. Mr. Davis got most votes. But by the second round of voting, David Cameron, with momentum, garnered the most votes and Dr. Fox dropped out. Now the delegates will vote this month to elect a new Conservative leader, either David Cameron or David Davis.
There are benefits if the PNP should adopt this measure. It gives the MPs a major voice in the two candidates and it will ensure that whichever leader wins the delegate support will also have a significant number of MPs. And since it is technically the person who commands the majority support who becomes the prime minister, then this system facilitates that. The JLP had a variation of that system when Shearer, Tavares and Lightbourne ran for the leadership. Candidates should first get support of MPs and perhaps caretakers before going to the delegates.
MPS FALL IN LINE
Interestingly, after the Conservative Party's MPs saw that the British public was behind Cameron, the majority of MPs started to fall in line.
Nevertheless, the Eton-trained Cameron is being accused of being too elitist and would be out of touch with the ordinary people. In addition, he will
not provide enough specifics about policies and will not answer if he used cocaine in high school. The Warwick graduate Davis is trying to portray himself as 'for the working class'.
The PNP candidates should also be involved in a debate/discussion so that the party and country can get an idea about their vision for the party and country. The news sound bite is not enough. And there is no need for a manifesto. Just a vision and how the vision can be actualised/realised.
Although the guessing game is a good political ploy for calling general elections, it is not good for internal elections. It is time the president 'fly the gate'. It is, however, a good move on the part of the PM for there to be a handing-over period. This should be done after a general election.
There should be no lies or personal attacks on one's family. There is also a place for drawing a distinction between oneself and the other candidate.
Let the MPs select the two best and then allow the delegates to decide.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building.
