THE MERCURIAL Mr. Abe Dabdoub has fired a salvo into the camp of the Jamaica Labour Party suggesting that the party is, in his phrase, being 'NDMised' and that this is being done in violation of the party's constitution.
His statements to the media yesterday suggest, however, that there may be more peeve over the criticisms of how he has served the North East St. Catherine constituency, rather than any real commitment to core party principles. His articulation of his new-found admiration for the programmes and internal democracy of the rival People's National Party also seem to be laying the ground work for an easy if inelegant entry into the camp of his erstwhile political opponents.
Mr. Karl Samuda, the JLP's general secretary, has in the meantime denied Mr. Dabdoub's claim, stating that in order to gain state power after 14 years in Opposition, the JLP is obliged to change its ways and take steps to renew party support at the grass roots level even if this involves bringing in or bringing back political personalities who can get the job done. Mr. Samuda himself a "political returning resident" sees the new JLP as being "inclusive", quite comfortable with taking NDM personalities back into the fold. Mr. Dabdoub, on the other hand, sees the JLP as deserting its core principles and trying to cater to every passing whim on the voting public.
Yet, we may give Mr. Dabdoub some benefit of the doubt to see whether behind all the posturing there is a basis for a more fundamental debate in the wider society over a constitutional change to ensure separation of powers in the future governance of Jamaica. This was a major plank of the NDM when it was formed and Mr. Dabdoub, who says he is not in favour of separation of powers, thinks that the JLP, is strategically placing in constituencies persons sympathetic to such a view in order to win support for such a philosophy. If this is the predominant view in the party and one which Mr. Dabdoub cannot endorse then he has done the decent thing and resigned. We need not be detained by another round of histrionics.
In the meantime Mr. Samuda maintains that this is a matter for continuing debate in the JLP which has taken no final position on the issue.
This is an issue of some interest to a significant section of the society searching for new ways to ensure better governance. It is a matter that should be discussed at all levels of the society devoid of grandstanding.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
