Garwin Davis, Gleaner Writer

Golding

Opposition leader Bruce Golding has dismissed charges by Abe Dabdoub that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was dodging the issue of campaign financing, saying his former colleague was being disingenuous.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Saturday in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Mr. Golding said he was surprised at Mr. Dabdoub's remarks.

"Mr. Dabdoub doesn't have the ability or the capacity to be out there lobbying for campaign finance reform," Mr. Golding said.

"We are not running away from anything. What we are saying is that this is something that the Electorial Commission has full authority over and not for the government - aided by Mr. Dabdoub - to try and sneak through the back door to take the heat off Trafigura."

Mr. Golding was in Ocho Rios at a function where he addressed the town's business leaders.

Mr. Dabdoub, who was elected on a JLP ticket in 2002 but has since parted ways with his former colleagues, said he had been told by the party not to move forward with the issue of campaign financing in Parliament so as to keep the heat on the government which at the time was reeling from the Trafigura scandal.

Not ready

"The JLP, you see, is not ready to tackle the issue of campaign financing as that by itself would open up a can of worms," said Mr. Dabdoub. "They would have to reveal where all the money they have been getting is coming from and trust me this is something I know they are not prepared to do."

He continued: "Mr. Seaga felt strongly about it and wanted to bring the issue up for debate. They forced him out before he got the chance, so it was something I felt I had to do. Campaign financing is an important piece of legislation which the country needs at this time."

Mr. Golding, however, has a completely different take, saying Mr. Dabdoub, who has made no secret of his support for Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, was simply trying to pander to the governing party.

"Why not allow the Electorial Commission the opportunity to do its job?" asked Mr. Golding. "This was agreed on as a matter of principle by Michael Manley and Edward Seaga many years ago, so I don't know what Mr. Dabdoub is trying to come with now. The JLP will only participate when it is done the right way and not something which is done only for convenience."

Mr. Golding said the JLP does not have access to the same kind of funds the PNP has at its disposal and would have to rely on traditional fund-raising events to finance its election campaign.

He said the JLP would soon be sharing with the country what it intended to do in the first 100 days of assuming office, adding that only a fresh brand of leadership can take Jamaica forward and on a path of prosperity.

"The upcoming election offers a clear choice of either business as usual or a retreat from the policies that have wrecked this country and have brought us the where we are today," Mr. Golding said.