Is Bruce resigned to resigning?

When I was first made aware of what transpired at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) meeting of the Central Executive on Sunday, I was extremely sceptical. The message was broadcast (on the telephone) that Prime Minister Bruce Golding had decided to resign as party president and prime minister.

At that time, I responded by voicing my suspicions that there was an ulterior motive; a plan to draw focus on his party and illicit a 'vote of confidence' and absolute cooperation. I felt that the party could not win the next general election without him, so he would stay on. But I also added the caveat, "Then again, I could be wrong ... but I doubt it. We'll see ... ."

A flurry of messages filled the electronic social-networking media. Most were convinced that Mr Golding's resignation was a fait accompli. Some went as far as speculating that it had something to do with Dudus' guilty plea. Others were tentative about believing him and some sounded excitedly joyful. I was far from alone in my misgivings. Edward Seaga, who sounded very doubtful of the genuineness of Mr Golding's resignation, commented that a resignation isn't always a resignation.

Worn out by politicking

For all I know, Mr Golding may be physically and/or emotionally tired; he could be worn out by politicking; he could feel that the country has lost faith in his integrity; he could feel that the road is too rough during these times of economic adversity; he may just want to retire now and enjoy the rest of his natural life without the stresses of politics.

However, I am somewhat concerned that history will remember Bruce Gilding as a quitter. He quit the JLP during the Seaga regime, and he quit the National Democratic Movement (NDM) when it was clear that the JLP needed a replacement for Mr Seaga and the country was getting weary of the People's National Party (PNP) administration.

And now he appears to be quitting the JLP in the anticlimax of the extradition affair and with general elections fast approaching.

I thought he would follow the PNP's P.J. Patterson's example and relinquish the leadership after the next general election.

As politics goes, it would have been better if he had resigned when the Dudus debacle broke. It would have returned some of his squan-dered honour and given the party more time to recover from the messy and embarrassing extradition affair. Resigning now, after weathering that storm, gives the appearance that he is abandoning his party and his post when they need him the most. It also gives the impression that he is giving in to the Opposition's insistence that he pack up and go.

Early election

Leaving now will weaken the JLP and strengthen the Opposition, which is already demanding an early election.

People have been saying that both major political parties need new blood. However, what they need is a new way of thinking and a total eschewing of old-style politics. Jamaicans already know how dirty and corrupt politics can be. What we want is honesty and a promise to abstain from such destructive things as intimidation, violence and, most of all, corruption at all levels and in all spheres.

And so, some supporters are touting Tufton, while others are hollering for Holness. Although I, too, believe that one or the other would be the best replacement should Mr Golding stick to his decision, deep inside I can't say that I think that either is totally ready to be prime minister of Jamaica if the JLP should be victorious in the next general election.

I feel that, although very popular, apparently sincere and efficient, both would be default choices - chosen after excluding other candidates - for the post. Notwithstanding their advisers, the burden they would have to carry at this juncture may require more political maturity - the kind that more years in the field and in the political trenches would provide. Then again, I could be wrong, but I doubt it. We'll see.

Garth Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.