The Editor, Sir:

Regarding your editorial of July 17, I appreciate and agree with your focus on the need for ideological renewal within the People's National Party. The demanding business of government can, and often bites into the time available for the detailed conduct of party business. This was undoubtedly the case for the PNP as government, perhaps except for the short-lived and unsustained efforts immediately following the local government loss of 2003.

Appropriate avenue

Where I part company with you is on the suggestion that a grossly ill-timed and awkwardly announced leadership challenge is an appropriate avenue for renewal. Unless of course, you are intimating that party renewal is the sole prerogative of a party leader and that absolutely no room can be created for others to participate within other party portfolios.

Soul-searching

The fact is that the PNP has been on an introspective soul-searching since September last year and critical steps have been taken towards rebuilding both the philosophical and organisational foundations of what has been the single most important national organisation in the history of this country.

I am seriously concerned that this leadership challenge has derailed the 70th anniversary celebrations, deflected attention from the JLP's incompetence, subtracted from party organisation, and that it will re-route already meagre financial resources, railroad the enumeration process and effectively undermine snap election readiness, as well as increase internal tension and acrimony.

I am aware though, that splintering and fragmentation can only occur when the force of the impact exceeds the forces of cohesion. Consequently, my major concern with the timing of this challenge has to do with whether the PNP can withstand this impact at this time. Could it not have been made at a time when the party is in a better state to deal with such challenges?

I am, etc,

STANLEY REDWOOD

stanley_redwood@yahoo.com