By Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter 
Audley Shaw, a deputy leader in the JLP, contends that he will not
pull out of the chairmanship race. - File
DEPUTY LEADER of the Jamaica Labour Party Area Council Three, Audley Shaw, under pressure for his late-hour decision to oppose Senator Bruce Golding in the race for chairmanship of the party next Sunday, insisted last night that he was still a contender and had not pulled out.
Reacting to suggestions that he had decided to withdraw from the race, Mr Shaw said: "I am still in the race. The deadline for nominations close tomorrow and we should wait until then and not succumb to speculation."
Several delegates and senior members of the JLP had expressed surprise and anger at his decision to go up against Mr. Golding.
Among those expressing surprise at Mr. Shaw's candidacy was Delroy Chuck, MP for St. Andrew North East, who said he was not even sure he was going to vote next Sunday.
"I am very disappointed with what is happening in the party," he said. "I think Audley is making a great error. He is already the deputy leader with a very high standing in the party. Most people would like to see Bruce returned to the party and most people feel this is the post (chairman) that Bruce should return to. It is not in the interest of the party for Audley to run and I have so advised him," Mr. Chuck told The Sunday Gleaner.
Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, Mike Henry, also said he was surprised. "Mr. Shaw never advised me of his intentions (to run for chairman). He accepted the confidence of Area Council 3 and he has seen it fit to choose a second post in the party without consulting or discussing it with the Council Executive."
Members of Area Council 3 were holding a meeting yesterday, to discuss the matter.
Mr. Shaw also told The Sunday Gleaner that he accepted that he should have called the members of Area 3 earlier to advise them of his intention to challenge Mr. Golding. He said he has since spoken to them to inform them of his intention.
Meanwhile, one party delegate who is not supporting Mr. Golding said, "People are getting their heads chopped off left right and centre. It's really sad; I don't think everything should have been out there in the press like that."
But while angry sentiments about the negative publicity over the JLP after what was described as 'the disgraceful response' of party leader Edward Seaga last week to the ousting of former Area 2 deputy leader Olivia 'Babsy' Grange by newcomer MP James Robertson two Saturdays ago, some delegates are preparing for a dramatic changing of the guard with the election of Golding as chairman. Others are being more cautious.
"I support him (Golding) for the position and if I can do anything to assist in any way I will because I think he will make a very good chairman. It would be good for the party and to prepare it to go forward in the next elections," said G2K president, Christopher Tufton.
Norman Horne, a Seaga-appointed Senator, told The Sunday Gleaner that while he had not yet made up his mind as to who he would support, he would most likely vote for Mr. Shaw on "sheer personality" alone.
"I think the biggest issue we are looking at right now (in the race) is one of succession. If one is to address the issue of succession we are going to have to look at it seriously.
"I am looking for the best man. If you are talking about sheer personality and relationship-wise, I would choose Mr. Shaw, because he, in part, is responsible for my entrance into the party. But I have to be pragmatic. This is not a 'like' thing," said Mr. Horne. "I'll be having meetings with Mr. Shaw and Mr. Golding and then I'll make up my mind. I've not decided yet."
One JLP source said Mr. Golding's detractors in the party were charging that "Bruce mash up the party and cost us the 1997 elections. When Bruce left the party he took all of the party information with him."
The source also said that Mr. Golding's lead in the polls, by itself, does not determine that he will be a shoo-in for the post of chairman.
However, in his response to the comments, Mr. Chuck said: "I think it would be unwise for them to use Bruce's past against him. As far as I am concerned the move last year was a clear indication that they would let bygones be bygones.
