Former head of the National Solid Waste Management Authority and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) member, Joan Gordon-Webley, has confirmed that she has joined the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), saying that she is willing to face whatever criticism that may come as a result of the move.
Just last year Webley resigned as the JLP’s caretaker for St Andrew East Rural. At the time there were speculations that she would be joining the People’s National Party. As a result the Jamaica Labor Labor Party must have seen this coming. Generally if you hear something in Jamaica if it’s not the truth it’s usually close to the truth.
On that basis I believe the hierarchy of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) to which Webley belonged must have expected this from the time she resigned last year. In fact there were rumblings that there were disagreements which precipitated her resignation as caretaker of the St Andrew East Rural Constituency.
Without speculating on the details surrounding Webley’s exit from the JLP and her subsequent alignment with the failed PNP , it is fair to say her departure is no great loss for the Labor Party. It may also be fair to say that the PNP is a better fit for her.
Webley comes from a different time in Jamaican politics .
A time of Garrisons and guns.
It is unclear whether Webley eschewed those old style Politics as the younger less tribal Andrew Holness has.
Whatever the reasons for her departure, they are immaterial at this time.
For anyone steeped in Jamaica’s political history, it must amaze that in light of the less confrontational style and direction of Holness , that Gordon Webley would seek to join the PNP.
This is no loss for the Labor Party despite the imminent noise which will emanate as a result of the optics. Holness must steadfastly continue to rebuild the Labor Party on the market style principles of Bustamante.
Bustamante was a Business-Owner and a Trade Union Leader, those disciplines uniquely prepared him to launch the Labor Party on the principles of Education, love of Country and hard work .
Those are the bedrock principles which lead individuals and Nations out of poverty. Much unlike the Government-dependency mantra of the other party created by his more glib cousin Norman Manley.
The Labor Party should not bad-mouth Joan Gordon-Webley, members should simply thank her for her service and wish her well while continuing the work of developing strategies and policies which will rescue Jamaica and return it to a path of growth and prosperity.
Adiós Joan.….…