JAMAICA LABOUR Party (JLP) deputy leader for Area Council Two, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, has launched a campaign to shore up support before elections for four deputy leader positions are held at the party's annual conference on November 10.
James Robertson, a first-time Member of Parliament for St. Thomas western, is challenging Ms. Grange, the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine central and who has been a deputy leader since 1998.
She told supporters at the Trade Winds Resort in west St. Mary recently that while youth was important to the party, it could not afford to replace "experienced leaders" with "inexperienced youth."
CHALLENGE
"I don't mind being challenged, it is good for democracy and it is good to get a little test, but there is a time for everything and this is not a time for change just for change sake," she said. "It is not a time to think that everything established must be removed and that only youth can be productive. The experience and wisdom brought forward by those who have served can never be replaced."
She continued: "I had to creep before I walked in this party and I had to pay my dues and I know that anybody who wants to survive in an institution like the Jamaica Labour Party must be willing to creep before they walk."
In the meantime, Derrick Smith, the party's Area One deputy leader, has cautioned labourites to remain composed during the excitement of the campaign in Area Council Two.
He told supporters at the party's Belmont Road headquarters in St. Andrew on Sunday: "Don't go out and curse any opponent that you are not supporting."
DIVISION
Noting that there was a perception that a culture of divisiveness existed within the JLP, Mr. Smith said this would be an opportunity to change it.
"We are disappointed with some of the things that we have already heard and I will take it as my responsibility to ensure that it is cut out," he said.
The JLP's Area Council Two is comprised of St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary.
Yesterday Mr. Robertson issued a statement "apologising for any statement or action that may have caused discomfort or hurt to anyone." He pledged to end, "with immediate effect ...all forms of campaigning in the public media as no one will emerge as a winner ..."
According to Mr. Robertson, for too long the party has been viewed publicly in a negative manner. "If the Jamaica Labour Party is to form the government, it needs to show the public of Jamaica a new and better way of conducting its affairs," he said.
