Democracy at risk

Dear Editor

Our two- party system and our democracy are in crisis because the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has not been demonstrating that it has a true leader in Andrew Holness, who obviously is only leading a part of the party and the other part by Audley Shaw. The result of the election for leadership will not, in itself, unite the party and without such unity there cannot possibly be a credible leader to be prime minister. So Jamaica will by implication be a one party state for the unforeseeable future.

With reference to Audley Shaw, who made a fine Minister of Finance, there is no evidence that he will provide better leadership than Holness. In fact, instead of working with the current leader his challenge can only have the effect of literally revealing a divided party. Some will defend the challenge as a necessary precedent, but it is my considered view that that is far outweighed by the disadvantages.

Although Edward Seaga experienced the problem of vision, as a grandfather of the party and a proven philosopher and achiever, I think both Holness and Shaw should take counsel from him to unite the party against a one party state.

Absolute power too often corrupts.

Owen Crosbie

oss@cwjamaica.com

Democracy at risk

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