Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in transition? Tufton's Big Gamble
Published:Sunday | November 14, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
THE OUTCOME of Dr Christopher Tufton's big gamble on what many believe is a bright political future will be known today when he squares off with another political veteran, Dr Horace Chang, and political minnow, attorney-at-law, Don Foote.
Interest has shifted to the Green Island High School where the private session of the Jamaica Labour Party's annual conference for Area Council Four and the election are being held.
Tufton is being viewed within party circles as one of two young Labourites who possess strong leadership qualities.
The other is Andrew Holness, who backed out of the election for the post of deputy leader for Area Council One against Desmond McKenzie after Derrick Smith stepped down.
Political observers described Holness' move to duck out of the race as strategic, as a loss to McKenzie was likely to dent his chances of rising to the top.
This time around, it is Tufton who is challenging Chang, and the question being asked is whether he can withstand a loss at this critical time in the party's history.
political fortunes
Tufton, an unwavering supporter of Bruce Golding, is playing down the prospect that his political fortunes hang in the balance in challenging another powerful Golding backer in Chang, who is well established in the western end of the island.
"To be honest, I am not thinking that far ahead," Tufton told The Sunday Gleaner.
"I am fixed on ensuring a Labour Party victory in two years," added the man who emerged as The Gleaner's Man of The Year over a host of colourfully prominent contenders.
Chang, Tufton, and Foote are wooing approximately 1,000 delegates who should be turning out at the highly anticipated private session of the Jamaica Labour Party's annual conference for Area Council Four.
The big two have generated much interest in the highly charged Area Council Four. In so doing, Tufton and Chang have effectively squeezed out Foote from under the radar.
The million-dollar question being raised by political pundits and insiders is whether Tufton - smooth, young, articulate, and has a lot going for him - is throwing away a glorious chance for a shot at the big prize: the coveted position of leader of the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) and prime minister of Jamaica.
Chang, who was eyeing the position of chairman earlier in the year, appears to have less to lose in an area council for which he successfully challenged incumbent Deputy Leader Edmund Bartlett in 2004.
In the corridors of power, both men discuss the nation's business at the weekly Cabinet meetings on Mondays and in the House of Representatives later in the week.
Chang presides over the tough water and housing ministry, while Tufton monitors the equally challenging Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Tufton is a strong supporter of JLP leader, Prime Minister Bruce Golding. So is Chang.
Tufton argues that the work to reclaim the western end of the island has to start immediately, while Chang concedes that much needs to be done.
"We are trailing the People's National Party in candidate selection and building a political machinery in the west," Tufton argued.
"My focus is solely on creating a machinery that is ready, because I believe the Labour Party is the best choice in terms of governance."
Chang countered: "Delegates are hurting because of a sense that they have been left behind by the Government, but they are satisfied both by my experience and interest in their welfare."
Tufton said his decision to offer himself has been influenced by a call in the area council that there is need for a new approach.
"It should not be interpreted as any disrespect to Dr Chang or any ambitions beyond the next general elections, at this point."
Chang's response to the question in relation to his prospects in politics was in stark contrast to his main contender's.
"I am not contemplating that at this point in time," he told The Sunday Gleaner. "I am satisfied I will have a better chance of engaging them in a positive way than Dr Tufton.
"Rest assured, politics will continue for me," he laughed, at the prospect that he could be defeated.
Chang, an experienced political warrior, was in the middle of many a battle during the tumultuous days of the 1990s when Edward Seaga was at the helm of the JLP.
Today, he goes into another contest unfazed, according to him.
"I am enjoying very strong support of both the MPs, along with leadership elements in the area council," he declared in response to suggestions that the numbers could favour Tufton.
stomping ground
St Elizabeth, Tufton's stomping ground, has the highest number of delegates of the parishes in the western end of the island, with more than 350.
Of that number, South Western St Elizabeth, which is represented by Tufton, has the highest number of delegates going out today - a little more than 100.
Although Tufton claimed confidence and reasserted that his challenge was not reflective of any political ambition to leadership (beyond securing victory at the polls for his party), he was at pains not to step on any toes, least of all Chang's.
"It's a message that shows respect in re-energising for all contenders and their contributions to the JLP over the years, while at the same time recognising the challenges to the area council and duty of the delegates to meet these challenges and vote for a new approach to re-energise and re-engage the party in the west," Tufton asserted.
His arguments came against the backdrop that the 2007 general election marked the first time in Jamaica's electoral history that the party that secured victory at the polls lost the bulk of the seats in the west.
Of the 15 seats in Area Council Four, eight went to the People's National Party and seven to the JLP.