EDWARD SEAGA, 1980/1981

Hard man fi dead

EDWARD SEAGA, Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is a "hard man fi dead."

Jamaica's fifth Prime Minister (1980 to 1989), Mr. Seaga is akin to an institution in Jamaican politics.

He is the longest serving MP, having represented West Kingston for the last four decades. He has also been the Leader of his party since 1974. This contribution to public service and politics earned him the Gleaner Honour Award in 1980 and 1981.

Since his entry into politics, Mr. Seaga has had the reputation of a leader of steely resolve willing to stare down misfortune and adversity. Though many have written him off as a "washed up" political force, Mr. Seaga has held on firmly to the dream of leading Jamaica again.

Recent political polls suggest that he might be rewarded for his fortitude and resilience. Over the last year, successive opinion polls have ranked him as the most popular political leader, ahead of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and even the much-loved Tourism Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

This 71-year-old anthropologist, businessman and politician has given more than half his life to political service. He has fought back challenges from both within and outside of his party from those who felt that he was more a liability than an asset.

With 2002 being an election year, it is now left to be seen whether this stalwart of Jamaican politics will once again become the nation's Prime Minister.