Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the country are still reeling from the recent "resignations" of Messrs Christopher Tufton and Arthur Williams. No doubt the goodly gentlemen must have been just as surprised by their resignations as the rest of us, and with good reason.
If there was any doubt in anyone's mind that Opposition Leader Andrew Holness possessed the qualities necessary for politics they stand duly corrected. The fact that senators were made to sign undated resignation letters prior to taking up appointments is proof enough. The willingness of Mr Holness to go for the jugular and use them provides further proof.
It has been reported that the actual purpose precipitating the drafting of the letters is not what they were eventually used for here. They came about as a means of safeguarding the party's position on the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The whole incident has raised a raft of questions, the majority of which are still unanswered. Here are just a few:
Was the use of the letters in this instance ethically or morally right?
Will the newly appointed crop of senators be made to sign similar undated resignation letters?
Are the pre-signed letters from the senators that were not removed still effective?
Are there more letters of this ilk, but in other spheres, floating around out there waiting to be brought to public attention?
Does Mr Holness have more tricks like these up his sleeve and, should he become prime minister, will the country see similar scenarios unfolding?
Will the issue of trust ever be resolved in the JLP, and can they ever form a viable Opposition any time in the future?
Interesting times are ahead.
Robert Mitchell
Manchester
mitcib@yahoo.ca
What lies beneath the letters
-->
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the country are still reeling from the recent "resignations" of Messrs Christopher Tufton and Arthur Williams. No doubt the goodly gentlemen must have been just as surprised by their resignations as the rest of us, and with good reason.
If there was any doubt in anyone's mind that Opposition Leader Andrew Holness possessed the qualities necessary for politics they stand duly corrected. The fact that senators were made to sign undated resignation letters prior to taking up appointments is proof enough. The willingness of Mr Holness to go for the jugular and use them provides further proof.
It has been reported that the actual purpose precipitating the drafting of the letters is not what they were eventually used for here. They came about as a means of safeguarding the party's position on the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The whole incident has raised a raft of questions, the majority of which are still unanswered. Here are just a few:
Was the use of the letters in this instance ethically or morally right?
Will the newly appointed crop of senators be made to sign similar undated resignation letters?
Are the pre-signed letters from the senators that were not removed still effective?
Are there more letters of this ilk, but in other spheres, floating around out there waiting to be brought to public attention?
Does Mr Holness have more tricks like these up his sleeve and, should he become prime minister, will the country see similar scenarios unfolding?
Will the issue of trust ever be resolved in the JLP, and can they ever form a viable Opposition any time in the future?
Interesting times are ahead.
Robert Mitchell
Manchester
mitcib@yahoo.ca
What lies beneath the letters
-->