Support for Holness as JLP leadership race intensifies

The fight for leadership of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has intensified although Audley Shaw, the party’s Deputy Leader, has not officially thrown his hat into the ring.

Supporters of JLP Leader Andrew Holness and Shaw have begun throwing political barbs evidenced at the two constituency meetings held in the central parishes of  Clarendon and St. Catherine on Sunday.

Addressing the meeting in the constituency of South Central St. Catherine on Sunday, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Member of Parliament for the area warned  that the JLP’s Deputy Leader will not be supported by delegates in the constituency.

”I just want to send a message to Audley Shaw, he said in a letter to the Chairman of the party that he will be doing soundings…But hear the message Mr. Audley Shaw, we have done our soundings in South Central St. Catherine. The constituency   has 123 delegates, the third most delegates in the Labour Party, we have done our soundings  and Audley I can tell you straight, nothing is here for you” said Wheatley.

He also advised Shaw to use resources intended for a leadership challenge in his constituency of North East Manchester.

On Sunday, the Opposition leader while declaring that he will not mount a counter campaign in the event of a race for the post, said he is ready for a challenge.

“I will not stop my national duty to focus on campaigning. I will continue to look about the nation’s business. As Leader of the party, I’m not going to stop looking about your business to go campaigning,” he told party supporters.

Audley Shaw is in the process of consulting with delegates before making a decision in coming weeks. If nominated for the post of JLP Leader, the Opposition Party will conduct an election before its annual conference in mid-November.

And despite not yet committing to run for the post, Shaw has outlined his plans .

“If I become leader I am going to be at the office of the Leader of the Opposition…if I become leader, I am going to be on the ground across this country talking the issues with the people, explaining things to them properly, so that when we become government, there will be a better opportunity for buy-in of policies,” he said.

Andrew Holness became JLP Leader and Prime Minister after Bruce Golding stepped down from the positions in the wake of the controversy that surrounded the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke to the United States on drug and gun running charges.

For several weeks it had been rumoured that Shaw would challenge Holness, who has been described by detractors in the party as indecisive. Disgruntled party members have blamed Holness for the JLP's crushing defeat in the December 2011 general election.