Though party leader Edward Seaga said there was no division in the party, he sent a strong message to persons who had a difference of opinion regarding certain procedures. For him, it was better to get rid of persons who did not align with the party’s direction so as to avoid the destruction of the organisation.

Published Monday, June 29,1992

Seaga lashes would-be dissidents

“If you’re not happy then leave”

By Gary Spaulding

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga yesterday called on those “who have so strong a difference” with the Party to leave instead of “maligning, undermining and demoralising” it.

“We all know that in every party there are differences, but if the strength of your difference is so deep that you feel that it is your job to stay in there and malign it and undermine it, demoralise it and dig out the foundation, then leave.”

Addressing the JLP North Central St Andrew selection conference on Constant Spring Road, Kingston, the Opposition Leader called on young members of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) to avail themselves for positions of leadership.

Speaking with The Gleaner afterwards, he said that there was no division in the party at present and explained that it was best that those who were not happy with the organisation leave so that their position was clear.

Explaining that he was outlining the manner in which the party would “deal with such situations as they arise”, he stressed that it was not differences in the party, but the “conduct of individuals if any such issue arise”.

Earlier, Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, in his presentation, pre-empting Mr Seaga in the party’s position, indicated that nothing was wrong with the Opposition’s process of selection of its candidates.

Later, he told The Gleaner that many people had expressed skepticism at the fact that other young members within the party were opposing older members who represented traditional strong seats.  It was a purely democratic process.  Mr Smith said that once members were sanctioned by the selections committee, they were free to challenge anybody, even him, to run as candidate for any constituency.  This view was echoed by other top party insiders.

Applause

Attorney Tom Tavares Finson was elected unopposed as the  party’s candidate for that constituency, which is currently represented by Member of Parliament Karl Samuda, formerly of the JLP now with the PNP.

Mr Seaga, who got thunderous applause on his entry, was blunt in his words to would-be dissidents.

“Go where we can see you, and hang a tag around your neck so that no man will be fooled into believing that you are JLP and that what you say is a reflection of the Jamaica Labour Party … we will know that what you are doing is undercover work.”

According to Mr Seaga, four representatives from the BITU had been Cabinet ministers, headed by Hugh Shearer.  “Three of them have been a major disappointment.”

By virtue of the fact that they have been a disappointment and continue to be a disappointment, Mr Seaga said, “There is need for us to recruit new union strength into the JLP, there is a need to recruit new union strength into the JLP, there is a need to recruit the new young leadership within the BITU to the extent that they can be spared of union duties and become a part of leadership in the JLP."

Turning to Mr Samuda, Mr Seaga said, “I prefer that we know who he is, where he is, and what he is than for him to stay in the party thinking that he is one of us eating the foundation, demoralising the supporters and maligning and undermining the leadership of the party, and what I say for Karl Samuda, I say for anybody else …”

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