Cable claims PNP MP idolised Seaga

A former People's National Party (PNP) Cabinet minister has reportedly listed one of the longest opponents of his party among his idols.

A United States (US) diplomatic cable obtained by The Gleaner through whistle-blower WikiLeaks indicated that former government Minister Horace Dalley indicated his admiration for former Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga.

In the March 8, 2005 cable, Dalley, then member of parliament for North Clarendon, is said to have described himself as a vivid admirer of Seaga.

"Dalley claimed to have made a close study of Seaga during Seaga's political career, adding he owns a transcript of every speech the former leader has made," the cable said.

"Dalley added that Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has also closely studied Seaga, and that 'PJ knows Seaga more than Seaga knows himself'," the cable alleged.

Seaga served as Jamaica's fifth prime minister from 1980 to 1989.

He, however, saw his party suffer electoral defeats in 1976, 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2002 at the hands of the PNP.

Seaga retired from active politics in January 2005 after being nudged through the door by a reformist wing in his party.

hypocrites in the jlp

According to the cable, "Dalley recounted his attendance at a recent farewell reception for Seaga.

"He said that many in Seaga's inner circle were critical of 'insincere' reformist JLP members who had recently praised Seaga's career in Parliament when, in fact, they were happy to see him go."

According to the cable, Dalley said Seaga was forced out by certain elements within the JLP, and that he was not ready to step down.

In the cable, the US embassy officials argued that Dalley's professed respect for Seaga "demonstrates the former opposition leaders's iconic status in Jamaica after 43 years of parliamentary service, and perhaps betrays the (then) labour minister's conservative leanings".

Dalley served as a member of parliament, representing North Clarendon from 1993 to 2007, before he was defeated by the JLP's Laurie Broderick by 226 votes.

He has vowed to retake the seat, and is currently the PNP's caretaker in the constituency.