The Line in the sand for the JLP part6

Poll on the Jamaica Herald as at this post was at Yes - 58.3% and No - 41.7%

With the ongoing Manatt Phelps and Phillips commission of Enquiry which amounts to both political parties flexing their muscles through eloquent lawyers providing much entertainment for some, damage to the Jamaica Labour Party's image as to the requisition requests and related matters for the extradition of Christopher Dudus Coke one wonders if the line is now being finally etched permanently for them to be a one term government. Although the enquiry is about finding truth what has played out since is making Prime Minister Bruce Golding to be a liar as depicted in a recent Gleaner newspaper cartoon shown above and many persons have already formed their own opinions in a similar vein.

Dr Peter Phillips (right), supported by his son Mikael Phillips (centre), looks on as Jamaica Labour Party lawyer Frank Phipps returns to his seat after a break during a sitting of the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

The whole mess as to the sequence of the secret Memorandum of Understanding and who actually authorized former Minister of National Security Peter Phillips to sign them without cabinet's approval or consultation was a golden opportunity JLP to redeem themselves but as usual the PNP being the spin doctors that they are in public relations and with lawyers on board such as the sometimes course K. D Knight they regained their command at the proceedings. The major twist was whether the MOUs trampled on the rights of Jamaicans? Phillips said no.

Dr Peter Phillips (left), chairman of the of the People's National Party's communication commission, speaks with Karl Samuda, former Jamaica Labour Party general secretary, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston during a sitting - Ricardo Makyn/

The other Commission of Enquiry on the FINSAC Financial Sector Adjustment Company of the nineties has been pushed under the rug for now bearing in mind it too was to find the truth as to how the entity operated in the fallout under the previous People's National Party administration, PNP.

One of the major squabbles between former Finance Minister from the PNP Omar Davies was that Jamaica could not get cheap money on the international markets but present Minister Audley Shaw has proven otherwise and has been riding a wave of success somewhat from the Debt Exchange Program he spearheaded with financial institutions. Audley Shaw maybe one of the two better performing ministers in the Jamaica Labour Party administration apart from Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton (former National Democratic Movement stalwart) his "Eat What You Grow" drive has been doing well but the fallout from the farmers' market episode in Portmore and elsewhere recently coupled with serious concerns about pending sharp rises in food prices may just stop his positive streak. Sections of the public are complaining about the lack of improvements or substance in their lifestyles and pocket as many feel we are not moving or growing as a country. The opposition PNP has stalled in its recent strides it made in a popularity poll and question marks surround its leader Portia Simpson Miller as to her fortunes to take them into a victory at the next polls. That might just be the saving grace to keep the JLP from either losing in a major landslide or just barely making it in for a second term, then again new governments first term in office is usually clouded with bumps.

Meanwhile the JLP may just face another one of those bumps which may turn out to be a bigger obstacle with the possible legal troubles of South West St. Andrew caretaker Garnett Reid (photo above) who was referred to on February 20th as a person of interest by the police for a sexual crime. He turned himself in on February 21 accompanied by his lawyer Valerie Neita Robinson according to the Gleaner. Usually when we hear designations of such eloquent wording leveled at officials or someone designated of good repute we can guess it has something of a same sex tinge to it and so we thought so it is. Allegations are so far as we know suggest he was involved in a sexual assault with another male of a young man from rural Jamaica some time last week, reports suggest Thursday February 17th. If this one gets out there in a big way it could mean the end of the Jamaica Labour Party or at best serious damage to the JLP I fear as Prime Minister Bruce Golding's early pronouncements on the Hardtalk Program on the BBC of "Not in My Cabinet" is fresh in the minds of many gay or straight alike. From what we were able to gather the young man was introduced to the caretaker who was captured by his look and wanted a sexual liaison to take place, however the young man did not reciprocate the affection and he was allegedly held by both Reid and another friend and acts performed on him on the faithful day, this is after spending several days at his home. It is further alleged that the young man wanted a sizable sum of money not to pursue the matter but when the demanded sum was not produced the matter was reported to the police who have since questioned Mr. Reid.

The Jamaica Labour Party is said to be deeply disturbed by the allegations (maybe not as outlined above) but to have one of their own with such a cloud of same sex assault hanging over his head given the fact that it is the opposition that the public perception is strongest of having homosexuals in its midst then could that be a nail in the coffin for the JLP to aspire for a second term, I am sure they are doing their best to keep this one down as much as possible.

With a disgruntled lgbtq community when it comes to the JLP they most certainly won't get a lot of pink votes. Several social network sites dedicated to removing the JLP and heavily criticizing the Prime Minister's tenure over the years are up and running full steam.

Interesting times ahead.

Peace and tolerance.

H