KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):Bruce Rattray, an outspoken Local Government councillor, has walked out of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), rebuking its leadership for what he said was an attempt to force out "true Labourites".
Rattray, who resigned from the party on Saturday, said he would now be throwing his support behind the governing People's National Party (PNP), which is on a quest for five straight terms in government.
The councillor for the Papine division lamented that former members of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) have been allowed to join the JLP, leading to existing members being sidelined.
'Hold must broken'
"Since the ascension to leadership by Bruce Golding, there has been an 'NDMisation' of the JLP. This I regard as a continuation of the attempt by those who promoted the creation of the NDM to come to power through a captured JLP.
"I am convinced that in order to maintain a two-party democracy, free from the control of such persons, every effort must be made to ensure that the hold that these persons have over the JLP and its present leadership be broken."
Golding, however, responded to Rattray's claims on the weekend, while addressing party candidates at the Jamaica Conference Centre by questioning Rattray's performance as councillor caretaker and his political history.
Golding said "Rattray was not himself a true Labourite." He also said that former NDM members who have crossed the floor had made a positive impact within the JLP.
Making strides
He listed members such as Greg Muir, Daryl Vaz and Russell Hammond, who, he claimed, were making significant strides in their respective constituencies, causing candidate selection issues for the PNP.
Golding founded the NDM in 1995 after walking out of the JLP in the midst of internal leadership squabbles there was great public support for the party among Jamaicans, this did not translate into votes at the polls.
Golding left the party and rejoined the JLP in 2002 and subsequently became leader after Edward Seaga stepped down in 2005.
