The Editor, Sir:

Highly effective leaders know how to wisely process advice and utilise research, they know how to handle criticism, constructive or otherwise; therefore, I can only hope that Mr. Bruce Golding and the Jamaica Labour Party - which I and many would like to see winning the next general election - will bring equipoise to their manifesto yet, 'Put specifics in the vision', as called for in The Gleaner's editorial titled Tuesday, November 21.

I would have added at least one word to your editorial, however, by placing the word 'more' before specifics, for in Mr. Golding's speech I heard specifics (and not simple mentionings) outside of constitutional reform. Your editorial rightly suggested "that the greater concentration has to be economic and social policies with specific outcomes ... speaking to policy specifics."

I was hoping he would have given more time and a few specifics in regard to Labour Market Reform and productivity - for example, Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) - as it was quickly eclipsed by tourism, but I guess that is perceived to be too much of a red herring with stakeholders, yet, I think it's one of those policies with the 'bread and butter' factor. A line in the speech about protecting the rights of all of the stakeholders, yet fostering greater productivity for economic development (greater exports, for example) could have scored high with the electorate.

Mr. Golding is to be congratulated, however, for helping to unite the party in spite of his own differences. A Labourite by heritage and choice, I believe in the truism 'Insuperabiles si inseparabiles' (Insuperable if inseparable ) even if shuffling aspects of bundled policy sticks means singing songs (not to say sankies) like 'Dare to be a Daniel' in the process. It takes balls to be a man!

He trumpeted the desire to build the party not around personality but on policy. I think he has not simply found his way back home but is finding a way to rebuild that home from the hurricanes of disunity and donmanship. I am particularly happy for that line about him NOT being the messiah, and that he cannot carry everybody on his back, for indeed he cannot do so.

If my mind serves me correctly, I did hear the JLP general secretary Karl Samuda mention in the media run-up to 'the granny of all conferences' that it is essentially 'aspects' of the manifesto that would have been presented. Many are simply waiting to hear more sooner than later.

I am, etc.,

RYAN O'NEIL SEATON

insignia7@msn.com

cell8763132444@gmail.com

Kingston 11