A political model to adopt

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Having grown up in the constituency of North West Manchester, I am accustomed to a win for the People's National Party (PNP) through Dean Peart. However, Thursday's victory by Mikael Phillips should not be taken lightly, but seen as a political model to adopt.

I admired the strategic move to send Phillips into the constituency after Peart opted out. The years that Phillips spent on the ground in North West Manchester was a time of grooming, understudying and maturing.

When I do get the opportunity to go back home, I would always see Phillips in the constituency among the youths and interacting with the constituents. I always admired that, and wished we, as Jamaicans, would understand that everyone has an important role to play in the success of the nation, whether you are young or old.

When Andrew Holness was sworn in as Jamaica's youngest prime minister, reference was made to the role Edward Seaga played in his political upbringing and career.

I congratulate Peart for having coached, nurtured and tutored young Phillips to take over the reins of leadership. I congratulate Mikael for having studied the formulae presented and humbly served the people despite the challenges.

I congratulate the PNP for a sound political model of the matured and experienced leaders assisting the younger ones to understand what leadership is all about so that they can mature into great leaders.

I wish more of these instances were encouraged, instead of the political 'cass-cass' about which leader is a better, younger or older one.

JASMINE ROBINSON

monalisa_4us@yahoo.com