Dear Editor,
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive — Sir Walter Scott.
The game of politics is often overshadowed by clouds of deception. The ordinary voter is just a pawn to the whim and fancy of a political plan that is strategically carried out with much efficiency. Oftentimes the voter may not even realise that they have been hoodwinked or coerced blindly into some dark path.
It is with much disdain that I proffer these thoughts, but what has been brewing on the current political scene has confirmed my fears, that is my conspiracy theory.
On two previous occasions Audley Shaw had more viable opportunities to seize the throne of leadership of the now 70-year-old Jamaica Labour Party. Mr Shaw's first neglected opportunity was created upon the departure of the former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. Mr Shaw -- who was much younger and who had commanded substantial support from parliamentarians, including Andrew Holness, and a vast number of delegates -- decided, then, he would not contest for the leadership of the party.
Mr Shaw's second opportunity was created when former Prime Minister Bruce Golding resigned. Again, he chose not to enter the leadership race.
This proves to me that he does not possess the boldness, confidence and the courage for leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party.
On May 19, 2013, during an interview on CVM, Audley Shaw stated that it was a grand waste of time to even discuss his participation in a leadership challenge, and his name should be left out of such talks. Herein lies my confusion, am I suppose to assume that his leadership ambitions was stimulated sometime after. While I don't think this is the case, it may very well be that Mr Shaw was made to acquiesce to the agenda of the anti-Holness wing.
So now he, with all the financial backing, suddenly developed the courage to take on Andrew Holness. But to what end? Shaw is now 61, and as he has indicated on previous occasions he does not intend to remain in politics much longer.
Could it be that Andrew Holness is in the way of another young aspirant and getting Mr. Holness out of the way is the only possible way that the members in Anti-Holness wing's vision could ever be considered a possible candidate for leadership.
Why now? Now is the perfect time, since Holness is on the winning path and is becoming politically stronger. And if one delays in mounting the challenge to his leadership the opportunity could be permanently lost. Moreover, this winning momentum could be utilised in the next election.
It is my view that the JLP is going through this leadership challenge primarily because there are some among them with hidden and self-serving agendas — not necessarily with the interest of the party and the country at heart.
Marvin Forbes
forbesmarvin@yahoo.com
It's more than a mere leadership challenge
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Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive — Sir Walter Scott.
The game of politics is often overshadowed by clouds of deception. The ordinary voter is just a pawn to the whim and fancy of a political plan that is strategically carried out with much efficiency. Oftentimes the voter may not even realise that they have been hoodwinked or coerced blindly into some dark path.
It is with much disdain that I proffer these thoughts, but what has been brewing on the current political scene has confirmed my fears, that is my conspiracy theory.
On two previous occasions Audley Shaw had more viable opportunities to seize the throne of leadership of the now 70-year-old Jamaica Labour Party. Mr Shaw's first neglected opportunity was created upon the departure of the former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. Mr Shaw -- who was much younger and who had commanded substantial support from parliamentarians, including Andrew Holness, and a vast number of delegates -- decided, then, he would not contest for the leadership of the party.
Mr Shaw's second opportunity was created when former Prime Minister Bruce Golding resigned. Again, he chose not to enter the leadership race.
This proves to me that he does not possess the boldness, confidence and the courage for leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party.
On May 19, 2013, during an interview on CVM, Audley Shaw stated that it was a grand waste of time to even discuss his participation in a leadership challenge, and his name should be left out of such talks. Herein lies my confusion, am I suppose to assume that his leadership ambitions was stimulated sometime after. While I don't think this is the case, it may very well be that Mr Shaw was made to acquiesce to the agenda of the anti-Holness wing.
So now he, with all the financial backing, suddenly developed the courage to take on Andrew Holness. But to what end? Shaw is now 61, and as he has indicated on previous occasions he does not intend to remain in politics much longer.
Could it be that Andrew Holness is in the way of another young aspirant and getting Mr. Holness out of the way is the only possible way that the members in Anti-Holness wing's vision could ever be considered a possible candidate for leadership.
Why now? Now is the perfect time, since Holness is on the winning path and is becoming politically stronger. And if one delays in mounting the challenge to his leadership the opportunity could be permanently lost. Moreover, this winning momentum could be utilised in the next election.
It is my view that the JLP is going through this leadership challenge primarily because there are some among them with hidden and self-serving agendas — not necessarily with the interest of the party and the country at heart.
Marvin Forbes
forbesmarvin@yahoo.com
It's more than a mere leadership challenge
-->