By Howard Campbell, Gleaner WriterDERRICK SMITH, Jamaica Labour Party deputy leader, will formally announce his bid for the party's top post this week, he told The Gleaner.
Party leader Edward Seaga announced last Tuesday that he will step down as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) at the party's annual conference in November. Smith, who will be 60 years old at the time of the JLP's conference in November, has been a deputy leader in the party for the past 10 years, and from over 20 years' experience in the horse racing industry, he knows a thing or two about competing with the odds stacked against him.
When conference time comes, Smith's opponents for the top job are expected to include fellow deputy leader Audley Shaw, Delroy Chuck, Pearnel Charles, Mike Henry, Ed Bartlett and chairman Bruce Golding who is considered the front-runner.
CLOSE TIES TO SEAGA
Because of their close ties to Seaga, Smith and Shaw are seen by most to be the main challengers to Golding, who returned to the JLP after seven years as head of the National Democratic Movement, just three weeks before the October 2002 General Election.
Golding, 56, has the backing of a faction of the party that has been pushing for change in the JLP. The actions of these reformists were said to have forced Seaga's decision after nearly 30 years as leader.
Smith has been the party's Spokesman on National Security for 10 years and is a long-serving Member of Parliament. He says he has had an eye for some time on leading the party but had no thoughts of challenging for the post while Seaga was at the helm.
"I didn't feel comfortable going around the company seeking the office until there was strong indication from Mr. Seaga (that he was stepping down). I am not of that ilk," said Smith.
MOBILISER
The Kingston-born Smith is the first of eight children. A Calabar past student, he worked his way up the political ladder starting in the Jaycees movement. Though he strongly opposed Prime Minister Michael Manley's socialist policies during the heady 1970s, Smith says he never got involved in politics until the 1980 General Election, in which he worked as a
mobiliser for the JLP in the East Kingston constituency.
Smith was appointed a Senator by Seaga in 1981 and became MP for West Central Kingston in 1983 when the JLP Government called a snap election, which was not contested by the People's National Party (PNP). Since 1985, he has been MP for North West St. Andrew.
Howard Campbell: When did your leadership aspirations first come up?
Derrick Smith: About two years ago, or little under two years. Persons in the party approached me and said they thought I could provide the type of calm, balanced leadership the Jamaica Labour Party needs. About that time I said I would make myself available once Mr. Seaga announced his departure.
HC: The JLP has always been a party of strong personalities, led by strong personalities. You are seen as a quiet person, do you possess the type of personality to keep this party in line?
DS: Perhaps not the personality but surely the ability to balance the ship. I have held several posts within the party and never shown any confrontationalist or autocratic style. I have never been involved in any serious personality clashes within the party, differences yes, but I have been trained enough to succeed in that area.
POLICIES
HC: What difference would you bring to the party in terms of policies?
DS: I would prefer to comment on that on a separate occasion because you don't say everything at one time. If and when I announce my decision to make a bid for leadership, then I'll be prepared to outline some sort of vision and leadership proposals.
HC: You have been in the Opposition for most of your political life. Like many in the JLP, you are at an age many consider to be past their political peak; are your ideas still relevant?
DS: I think they are, yes. Being in Opposition for so long it obviously prevents one from expressing those ideas and showing how effective one can be. Part of that effectiveness can be seen in my constituency, which has done well through the many programmes implemented over the years, especially geared at the youth.
HC: Six Members of Parlia-ment reportedly heard of Mr. Seaga's retirement five days before his official announcement. Were you one of them?
DIVISIONS
DS: Yes, there was a gathering at my home and Mr. Seaga was invited, he came by and spoke to us in confidence about his intentions. He spoke about divisions in the party and the behaviour of some individuals in the party, and he proposed to address those issues at the Central Executive meeting that was scheduled for Montego Bay (on June 27). But that changed the next day when Mr. Seaga got information that the notification (of the meeting) was not adequate to some persons and to others, none at all. He also got information that an unusual number of individuals who were not part of Central Executive were finding their way to Montego Bay. He consulted with the general secretary (Karl Samuda) and instructed that the meeting be postponed.
HC: There is reportedly a group of eight formed to oppose Mr. Golding in November. Are you one of them, and what's your relationship with him?
DS: I won't comment on such a group, but I have quite a good professional relationship with Mr. Golding that would suggest if I challenge Mr. Golding that relationship would not change.
HC: Are you one of those in the party peeved that Mr. Golding has returned from the NDM and is seen by many as the next leader of the JLP?
DS: We are beyond that. I played a role, somewhat, in Mr. Golding coming back in the Jamaica Labour Party; I supported Mr. Golding coming back so as far as being peeved that's completely out of the question.
YOUNG TURKS
HC: And what of the Young Turks, the so-called reformists?
DS: Again, I think I have a good working relationship with them although some of them might be suspicious of me. But I understand young people, their energy, vision and the anxiety to achieve. I think the party needs young people to offer the nation a range of leader at different age groups, and the young people in the Labour Party that have come to the fore recently have brought a renewed energy, and have appealed to a high percentage of young people who had divorced themselves from politics. For us to continue to appeal to them we have to have these young people in our midst.
