Dear Editor,
Reconstructing the decrepit 'house of the JLP' is far overdue, but party leader Andrew Holness prefers to build his own personal mansion first. Perhaps he is right in doing so.
Unfortunately, the tragic history of JLP leaders since Bustamante is likely forcing Holness into tending to self first: Sangster died in office, Shearer was removed for "better mus' come", Seaga was well beaten at the polls, and Golding could not last a term as prime minister. Besides the JLP being in such turmoil, its leader might not stand a chance of living at Vale Royal for a long time.
Aren't there lessons that Holness should learn from the history of Bustamante, anyway? On the grounds of King's House, Bustamante boldly told Governor Denham that he (Busta) was sure to live in King's House. In other words, Busta's eyes were fixed on taking over the government of Jamaica. Therefore, whatever the cost he was putting his energy and other resources in that direction. Additionally, during the unrest of the 1930s, Busta told the Jamaican Standard that he represented the middle and lower classes of Jamaicans and they had confidence in him. Such confidence was bellowed over the country, even in song, "We will follow Bustamante till we die".
History and common sense have shown that good political leadership is about serving people; empowering them and leading by example. Political sages like Bustamante and Norman and Michael Manley have exemplified this type of leadership. Michael was socialised to put party and workers above self. He had the unusual experience of seeing his dad, Norman, selling their family home to defray party's debts, but that to him was wealth -- cultural wealth, as he claimed in his final days.
It is difficult, but not impossible for the JLP to regain the glorious days of Bustamante but the leader must put people first and make sacrifices with and for them.
Bradshaw Singh
West Bromwich, UK
brasingh@msn.com
The JLP house
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Reconstructing the decrepit 'house of the JLP' is far overdue, but party leader Andrew Holness prefers to build his own personal mansion first. Perhaps he is right in doing so.
Unfortunately, the tragic history of JLP leaders since Bustamante is likely forcing Holness into tending to self first: Sangster died in office, Shearer was removed for "better mus' come", Seaga was well beaten at the polls, and Golding could not last a term as prime minister. Besides the JLP being in such turmoil, its leader might not stand a chance of living at Vale Royal for a long time.
Aren't there lessons that Holness should learn from the history of Bustamante, anyway? On the grounds of King's House, Bustamante boldly told Governor Denham that he (Busta) was sure to live in King's House. In other words, Busta's eyes were fixed on taking over the government of Jamaica. Therefore, whatever the cost he was putting his energy and other resources in that direction. Additionally, during the unrest of the 1930s, Busta told the Jamaican Standard that he represented the middle and lower classes of Jamaicans and they had confidence in him. Such confidence was bellowed over the country, even in song, "We will follow Bustamante till we die".
History and common sense have shown that good political leadership is about serving people; empowering them and leading by example. Political sages like Bustamante and Norman and Michael Manley have exemplified this type of leadership. Michael was socialised to put party and workers above self. He had the unusual experience of seeing his dad, Norman, selling their family home to defray party's debts, but that to him was wealth -- cultural wealth, as he claimed in his final days.
It is difficult, but not impossible for the JLP to regain the glorious days of Bustamante but the leader must put people first and make sacrifices with and for them.
Bradshaw Singh
West Bromwich, UK
brasingh@msn.com
The JLP house
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