Yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding dropped a bombshell on Jamaicans:
He, via a press release, announced his intention to resign as Party Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
He told the media that he would not be going into the JLP's annual conference in November as Party Leader or Prime Minister (PM).
While some persons have been speculating that this announcement is the PM's way of testing the political waters to ascertain just who in his party is loyal to him...
...Others have been suggesting that his political achievements have been so tarnished by the Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition affair, that him leading the JLP into the upcoming General Elections scheduled for 2012, would lead to definite defeat for the JLP.
It is felt, in some circles, that the JLP needs a new leader, who is competent and a person of integrity to restore the tarnished image of Jamaica, sullied by the Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition affair.
As soon as the PM's 'decision' was publicized, the Central Executive of the JLP, issued its own press release, stating that they had rejected the PM's decision to resign.
Of course, the press had a field day, today and it was thought that more information would have been forthcoming from a Cabinet Meeting held earlier this evening.
However, Information Minister, Daryl Vaz, has stated that Cabinet may issue a press release as to whether or not Mr. Golding will in fact step down as Party Leader, soon.
Many have, in the meantime, been speculating that should the PM actually resign, that the following Ministers are top contenders for the PM post: Andrew Holness, Christopher Tufton, Audley Shaw and Dr. Ken Baugh.
From both unofficial and official polls conducted recently, re leadership of the party, the public's favorite is Andrew Holness, given the positive results he's gleaned from the Education Ministry, which he leads.
But many feel that Christopher Tufton, current Minister of Investment and Commerce and former Minister of Agriculture, did a credible job in turning that Ministry around and that Audley Shaw, current Minister of Finance, who has managed to stabilize Jamaica's economy, in the midst of a turbulent global economy, are also worthy of the post.
Dr. Baugh (currently Deputy Leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade), many feel, will be a steady hand in leading the party into the elections and for one year thereafter, which would give the JLP enough time to figure out who best to put forward as leader.
But some feel that he's too passive to be PM.
Will keep you updated re whether or not the pending resignation of the PM is final and what the nation can expect in the upcoming weeks, should this be so.
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Nationwide Radio, September 26,2011
2) CVM Television, September 25-26,2011
3) Television Jamaica, September 25-26,2011
