PM's options

The Editor, Sir:

The Prime Minister (PM) and his party have three options at this time, as I see it. The PM can call a snap election in order to gain a new mandate for himself and his party. If successful, he and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) would essentially be able to wash their hands clean of the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips affair.

The PM can remain in office and serve out the rest of his and his party's first term in government until 2012, when the next general election is constitutionally due. The PM can resign, the deputy PM would subsequently be appointed acting PM and Bruce Golding's ultimate successor would, in due course, be elected by the delegates of the party via an internal election.

It seems to me that if the first option is chosen, the PM and the JLP would be taking a huge risk that would, in all probability, place them back in opposition. The second option would not serve Golding or the JLP well, because he and the high-ranking members of his party would be seen as arrogant, dishonourable and willing to hold onto state power at any cost. Additionally, if this option were chosen, the current strained/harsh relationship with the Opposition would only get worse.

Third option

It seems to me that the third option is the one that is the most practical and prudent for the PM and his party to choose at this time. If Golding resigns as PM, he will be commended by 'John Public', JLP supporters and Opposition members for having done the honourable thing. Moreover, Golding would have saved himself and his party from any further public embarrassment in relation to controversial issues surrounding the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition and the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips matters. This is a golden opportunity for the JLP to begin reshaping its currently disfigured image, but Golding and the JLP must act swiftly and decisively in order to save Bustamante's party from further ruin.

I am, etc.,

Patrick A. Gallimore

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston