What's next for Audley?

By George Davis

So what now for Audley? Having fought a good fight on Sunday in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leadership election, only to come up 700 delegates short, to where does this son of the red dirt in Manchester turn for a special kind of succour? Does he look for an engorged teat within his own camp of nearly-men and women, or does he suckle from the breast of the clan which masterminded Andrew's defence of his crown? Is anyone in his camp in any shape to nourish him through the gripe of this defeat or are they, individually, too racked by the flu of disappointment brought on by his failure to lead them to where he had promised?

Given the bruising nature of the campaign and piranha-like statements directed at their leader, does anyone from the Holness stable want to play the role of wet nurse? Especially to a man who dragged them into a process they felt was unnecessary to begin with? How does Audley treat the chants of 'Andrew' which bellowed from Labourites at the National Stadium on Sunday, even before word started leaking from the counting centre about the result? Does he interpret them as being lyrics to his political requiem, intending impolitely to convey a message that his continued presence as a front-line Labour Party man is no longer needed?

way forward

For inspiration about the way forward, Audley can do no worse than look across the floor in the House of Representatives at the man who has succeeded him as finance minister. Dr Peter Phillips has been down this road before and has taken two hard falls. But look at him now. In February 2006, Dr Phillips lost to Portia Simpson Miller in the election to fill the vacancy created by PJ Patterson's retirement as People's National Party (PNP) president. Dr Phillips, the then minister of national security, put on a strong show in that election, attracting 45 per cent of votes cast, to finish second behind Mrs Simpson Miller who took home 47 per cent. It was the first time in the history of the PNP that a losing candidate in the presidential race had attracted that level of delegates' support. Dr Phillips returned for more in September 2008, polling roughly 45 per cent of all votes cast but was again turned back by Mama P. The defeat sunk his political career to a new low and in his concession statement that night, he acknowledged the political consequences he would now have to pay.

Dr Phillips sulked for a while, lost his role as an officer of the party, relinquished his role in the Shadow Cabinet and kicked his heels on the opposition back benches. It was from a seat on the back bench that he rose in Parliament as plain old MP for East Central St Andrew and asked the question about the JLP government's engagement of an American-based law firm, Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, which set in motion a train of events that ended in general election success for the PNP in December 2011.

rejected candidate

Dr Phillips was 59 when he suffered the defeat which appeared to have gelded his political career. At the worst of times, in those early days after his leadership loss in 2008, all he seemingly had was his loyal constituents. Audley is now 61 and after his chastening moment on Sunday will live vicariously through the dark days of Dr Phillips' low moment as a rejected candidate for ultimate party leadership.

Age has been a big part of JLP politics since Bruce Golding's provocative statement in his resignation speech in 2011. But with only a three-year difference between Dr Phillips' period in the political gutter and his own position now in the pit of the latrine, Audley can take heart.

Audley should also remember that in 2008 when Dr Phillips was at his political low point, the PNP was celebrating its 70th anniversary. The JLP is now in its 70th year, an anniversary which coincides with arguably the most bitter moment of Audley's political career. Given Dr Phillips' redemption, Audley will surely believe that he's not too old to make a big comeback. All he needs now is time to heal his wounds so that he can work to find his equivalent of Manatt. Selah.

George Davis is a journalist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com