THE EDITOR, Sir:
During the period October 16, 2002 to October 2007, the two major parties will undergo what is known as the "changing of the guards".
While I can speak with authority on the PNP succession, I am not prepared to comment on the JLP's line of succession without the requisite facts. My charge to those within the PNP who aspire to political leadership at the highest level - take the politics out of the economics, put Jamaica first. This country can ill-afford the luxury of political tribalism. Let us bury partisan politics and focus on creating a nation of justice, unity and love, resting on the broad principle of equality - political, social and economic.
History records the achievements and contribution of many great political leaders who have graced the precincts of Gordon House since adult suffrage in 1944. The names Norman Manley, Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster, Hugh Shearer, Michael Manley, Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson take pride of place. Of the names mentioned, one stands out like a beacon; one whose leadership style has endeared him to the Jamaican voters since taking over the leadership of the PNP, March 30, 1992. There is no doubt that P.J. Patterson of whom I speak is endowed with self abnegation and utter patience, two magical gifts closely linked.
His assault on the poor infrastructure of our country, owing to years of neglect by successive governments, has enhanced our communication network.
The Old Harbour bypass, Melrose Highway, North Coast Highway and Highway 2000 now in progress, to name a few. Telephones and cellular phones in nearly every nook and cranny of Jamaica.
Nearly every Jamaican home has access to electricity due to the tremendous expansion in rural electrification over the past ten years. With the setting up of a Ministry of Water, P.J. Patterson clearly understood the need for every Jamaican to have piped water at an affordable cost. Every patriotic Jamaican will agree that former Minister Karl Blythe, on the instruction of his Prime Minister started the revolution that has significantly improved the availability of water islandwide.
Inspite of all the aforementioned achievements of P.J. Patterson, none stands out as his handling of the need to have a clean voters list to set the stage for free and fair elections - one man one vote, same man same vote.
To this end, he has displayed sagacious patience and persistence with the express purpose of giving the Jamaican electorate a voters list in which the people will have confidence in its integrity. October 16, 2002, saw the manifestation of his dream as the bitterness and cries of "bogus" after each Parliamentary General Election and the inevitable consequences - disunity at the work place, for the first time at last never reared its ugly head.
Who will replace the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson as Prime Minister of Jamaica? Based on facts that I am privy to, there are six qualified aspirants, however, only one can get the top post.
Will it be a female this time, there are two contenders; or will the trend continue? To the best of my knowledge there are four male contenders. When the time comes, the party delegates will cast their votes giving majority support to one among the six, who in their judgement can take over from "The Prophet" and lead this great nation into the promised land.
Until then, there is absolutely no vacancy. He who ignores this advice will be left soiled and trailed in the dust long before the appointed time.
I am, etc.,
ANTHONY "TONY" MYERS
Statistician/Political Analyst
