By Balford Henry, News EditorTHE RETURN of former chairman Bruce Golding to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was consummated yesterday, with the unanimous approval of his re-application for membership by the party's central executive at Belmont Road, St. Andrew.
His application was signed by Deputy Leader Olivia "Babsy" Grange, who now represents his Central St. Catherine seat, and seconded by another Deputy Leader, Edmund Bartlett.
Mr. Golding, however, would not be able to challenge for a leadership position at the party's next conference, likely to be held next month, as party rules require that he must be a member of the Central Executive for one year before being able to challenge for a leadership position. But he could be elected to the Central Executive, the party's highest body outside of the annual conference, at the conference. Otherwise he would need to chair an internal committee or be selected as a caretaker for a constituency to join the Central Executive.
Applications were also approved for Chris Tufton and Alston Douglas who, along with Mr. Golding, were once members of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
Sources denied there was any challenge to Mr. Seaga's leadership or that it was even mentioned yesterday at either the meeting with the newcomers, the Central Executive or the Standing Committee which handles the day-to-day operations of the party.
Deputy Leader Grange said the speculation, which had been growing in the media, about the departure of Mr. Seaga and his replacement were "totally unfounded."
"I signed Bruce Golding's application for membership and Ed (Bartlett) seconded it. This party is united now more than ever," Ms. Grange said.
But, there were discussions on challenges the party plans to make to 4-6 of the results of seats contested in the recent general election.
The JLP had a full day of meetings yesterday, starting with Mr. Seaga and the Central Executive meeting with the 15 MPs newly elected on October 16.
In a wide-ranging address to the newcomers, Mr. Seaga spoke about the four points he had raised in a letter sent to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson yesterday, forming the basis for a leaders' summit at Vale Royal to discuss establishing a stable bipartisan relationship for the good of the nation.
It was also announced that Mr. Seaga would be making a broadcast to the nation tomorrow night, during which he would outline the latest developments within the JLP.
