Denise Clarke, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
FORMER WATER and Housing Minister, Dr. Karl Blythe, has made it clear that he intends to be a serious contender for the post of Prime Minister of Jamaica, when P. J. Patterson steps out of office.
Beaming with the news that he has been exonerated of all charges of mismanagement, Dr. Blythe, who is a vice-president of the governing People's National Party (PNP), said he will not hesitate to make his intentions clear when Mr. Patterson departs. Mr. Patterson indicated shortly after his party's victory in last October's general election that he will be stepping down as head of the Government before the end of this administration.
"I have no problem in stating it clearly and when the time comes I will state my intention to proceed," Dr. Blythe declared in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner on Friday.
However, while stating his intent to compete for the top post, Dr. Blythe said the leadership race is not a priority for him at this time.
Instead, he said, he is now concentrating his energy on the selection of candidates for the Local Government elections due by March. As to how his party colleagues will react to his decision to contest the leadership of the PNP, Dr. Blythe said he is not yet ready to assess his support.
"Certainly it is my intention to enter the race but it is not a priority at this time. You don't assess support yet. When Patterson steps down then it will happen," he noted. Speaking on his omission from the Cabinet, despite a definitive win in the October elections, Dr. Blythe, who is the Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, said he was disappointed, but understood the wisdom behind Mr. Patterson's decision not to appoint him to a ministerial post.
"There was a certain amount of disappointment, but certainly it's an understandable position I've taken. Yes I worked hard not only in my constituency but I worked like a dog when I was Minister. I have to also understand the Prime Minister's prerogative to choose his Cabinet. The issue was a hot one, I would have had to wait until things cool down before that is considered. The Prime Minister is an experienced man and I leave it to his wisdom to make the right decision," Dr. Blythe contended.
For now, he said, he is "enjoying a little rest" and is relieved that his name has been cleared.
Dr. Blythe resigned as Minister of Water and Housing in April last year, when a damning report from a commission led by Erwin Angus accused him of meddling in the day-to-day operations of the agencies within his Ministry.
