- File Photo
Bruce Golding is pondering his future with the National Democratic Movement. The Jamaica Labour Party has rejected any hopes of an alliance between the two political parties.Garwin Davis, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU -
National Democratic Movement (NDM) President Bruce Gold-ing said he could soon step down as leader of the five-year-old political party, following the NDM's humiliating setback in the North East St. Ann by-election last Thursday.
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner on Friday, Mr. Golding, who five years ago stunned political pundits by walking away from the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), where he was both a long-standing and high ranking member, said that he will be having meetings with NDM officials over the next couple of days after which he will make a decision on his own future.
"After five years as leader of this organisation and not being able to make an impact on the electorate, (stepping down) is something that I have to seriously think about," Mr. Golding said. "Yes I have to look at the possibility of stepping down and make way for somebody else."
The NDM leader said that he was disappointed with the by-election results, where the party's candidate Barbara Clarke, despite having a strong presence on the campaign trail, could only muster 740 votes in a constituency where 15,781 people had cast their ballots.
"Based on the type of campaign that Barbara Clarke had run, we thought the least she would have gotten was about 3,000 votes," Mr. Golding added. "We had a strong candidate who impacted on the constituency and I was satisfied that we enjoyed a substantial amount of goodwill among the voters. Unfortunately, after five years, we have not been able to convert that goodwill into votes."
In the 1997 general election, the NDM failed to win a seat in Parliament. Mr. Golding lost his seat in Central St. Catherine to the JLP's Olivia "Babsy" Grange.Mr. Golding said the NDM was hurting from the perception that it could not win an election and added that there are many in the party capable of assuming the mantle of leadership.
"We have to examine where we went wrong and where we are going as a movement," he explained. "There were 12,000 people that didn't vote in this election for one reason or another. We believe that a majority of those people were simply fed up with the system and wanted something new. I am not one of those who blame people or candidate for a loss, but believe it requires an examination of my own leadership. That we were unable to attract them is most disappointing."
Responding to the question as to whether the NDM, even if he should remain as leader, had the resources to keep pace with the powerful machinery of the two traditional parties, Mr. Golding said: "It is going to be a real test of people's commitment.
"Yes it will be a challenge." he added. "But to influence change one has to be prepared to be around for the long haul."
