Political crescendo! JLP general secretary race reaches fever pitch

THREE FORCEFUL and robust politicians have set the stage for what is likely to be the most fascinating electoral contest for the powerful general secretary post in the history of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) at today's Central Executive meeting.

Among the trio are two vibrant, second-generation politicians - Daryl Vaz and Aundré Franklin - both familiar with the hustings on the ground to make for a classic contest.

They are joined by the bright, determined medical doctor, Charlton Collie.

The three, who have already arrested the attention of the political arena, will match their political might in what promises to be an intriguing electoral race.

Historically, deputy-leadership contests in the party usually command the bulk of the attention during the JLP political season, which comprises the annual conference and the big meeting of its Central Executive following the yearly confab.

But with two colourfully energetic aspirants who boast good performance records flexing their political muscles for the all-important voice of the party, the stakes have been rising.

In a race in which Collie is viewed as the rank outsider, Vaz and Franklin are attempting to woo the majority of the approximately 162 eligible voters.

A full turnout of members is expected in what promises to be an electrified atmosphere at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

golding backers

Intriguingly, both Franklin and Vaz backed Bruce Golding in his rise to the top.

The JLP general secretary position is one of two potent positions to be filled on a day when 11 persons are vying for other available positions.

A new chairman will be elected today without the need to cast a single ballot.

Mike Henry, the strikingly straight-talking politician, will take over the position of JLP chairman from his contrastingly unassuming colleague, Dr Ken Baugh.

Baugh, the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade in the Golding administration, is well respected on both sides of the political divide.

A veteran in the political arena and a former minister of health in the Seaga administration of the 1980s, Baugh was shunted to the sidelines when he lost his seat in the 1989 general election.

However, he quietly clawed his way back into representational politics in 2002 before assuming the position of chairman of the JLP.

But political analysts are of the view that he has not been influential in fixing the problems bedevilling the JLP, paving the way for a new party chairman.

Seven persons are vying for the four deputy general secretary positions. They are Joel Williams, Ian Murray, Warren Newby, Delroy Williams, St Aubyn Bartlett, Sandra Nesbeth, and Dennis Meadows.

Two persons - Johnny Desnoes and Gregory Mair - are seeking to be the party's next deputy treasurer replacing Vaz.

- G.S.