IF THE current posturing is anything to go by we could be in for a period of intense political turmoil. The JLP, fresh from its by-election victory in North-East St. Ann, is already throwing down the gauntlet to the Administration. JLP leader Edward Seaga has stated that his party will determine the timetable for the next general election.
Strengthened by the by-election results and opinion polls which show his party ahead of the ruling PNP, the Opposition Leader seems to be of the view that 20 years later history will repeat itself and he will be able to force the Government into a General Election long before it is constitutionally due.
The Government, stirred from its complacency by what it describes as the 'wake-up call' of the by-election results, is going on the offensive announcing new measures, offering excuses for past failures and is clearly not about to cede any ground to the Opposition.
The leader of the New Democratic Movement Bruce Golding has indicated that he is prepared to demit office because of the poor showing of his party in the by-election.
The political cauldron is boiling. Unfortunately there are some side effects of this that the country can clearly do without. The squaring off between supporters of the PNP and the JLP on Duke Street on Tuesday was a throw-back to a political period that we had thought was firmly behind us.
The unruly behaviour of the partisans had its echo in Parliament in the prolonged and boisterous exchange between Government and Opposition members.
The business of Parliament had to be put on hold while a recess was taken to cool passions; but that did not prevent a walk-out by the Opposition.
We would urge the political leaders and their cohorts to cool it. The Prime Minister's apology to Mr. Seaga was timely indication that civility survives at the top. We hope it trickles down to the rank and file.
The country faces enough difficulties without adding to them with meaningless sideshows; and we most certainly do not need political turmoil.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
