JLP supporters back Bruce

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters yesterday voiced loud and clear support for their embattled leader, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is facing calls for his resignation over his handling of the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair.

"You nah resign. You nah leave," declared several JLP supporters from across the Corporate Area as Golding addressed a meeting of the party's Area Council One in Papine, St Andrew.

"Lead we Bruce, lead we and ignore them," shouted one supporter as she rushed to hug Golding as he left the podium.

Other supporters were equally vocal as they declared their confidence in the man who has led the party since 2005.

The Labourities had been fired up by Golding who urged them to believe in the party despite the bashing it has been receiving in the media.

"There is no leader that we (JLP) have had who has not been the subject of, or the target of, some of the most vicious attacks. Ask the Most Honourable Edward Seaga ..." Golding said.

His comments came a short time after the party's general secretary, Karl Samuda, had told the Area Council meeting that persons were ganging up on Golding in an attempt to remove him from the role of JLP leader and prime minister.

"There are persons who are hell-bent on overthrowing our prime minister," declared Samuda as he charged that there was a level of hatred and contempt being shown for Golding.

Detractors' plan

According to Samuda, the plan of the Golding detractors was to push persons in the JLP as possible replacements for him.

"Their strategy is to single out a few people in our party, in our leadership and to promote them at the expense of the prime minister," charged Samuda.

"And I'm saying to those members of our organisation who are being promoted that way to be cautious with those who bring that attitude to you because it is not in the best interest of the party that we all love," the general secretary added.

He claimed that the Golding detractors were persons who have not contributed anything to the development of poor people in Jamaica.

"Who have not served the poor at any level, the greatest challenge they have in life is counting their inheritance," said Samuda.