THE EDITOR, Sir:
I MUST say that the proposed resignation of The Hon. Edward Phillip George Seaga as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party in November came as a surprise when many of us particularly at this time were expecting an implosion the JLP.
The move that he has made is probably a master political stroke considering that the topic of succession within both parties has been brought to the forefront with the ruling People's National Party indicating first that its leader the Hon. Percival James Patterson will not be going into the next election.
The action of Mr. Seaga may well be that of a patriot. Taking a back seat, may very well save Jamaica from being sunk into a kind of one-party state by default. He is making way for some new blood into the hierarchy of the party which may very well not be the most competent in the short run, but could serve as a galvanizing force for more youthful and innovative energies in the search for a more productive, dynamic and all-inclusive direction for the country.
Love him or hate him, he has played his 40 year innings well and has now seen that the time has come to go. I hope as a country we will thank him appropriately while continuing to benefit from his insights, wealth of knowledge and abilities associated with that of an elder statesman.
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL SPENCE
Micspen2@hotmail.com
Liguanea P.O
Kingston 6
