Perspective: Attempts to Force Out Charles …

There seems to be an attempt to force out Pearnel Charles Snr. who is one of JLP’s veteran politicians who was detained under the 1976 State of Emergency imposed by the Michael Manley led PNP administration.

Charles Snr. Responds

Charles was responding to media reports that
certain misguided elements are plotting to either unseat him or want him to go into forced retirement.

Media Strategy

We have heard these reports on radio, news reports, and by callers to talk shows.  Is it a media strategy to attract attention to a campaign launch for Charles Snr.’s seat?

Bustamante’s Retirement

Sir Alexander Bustamante got ill at 91 and it was ill health that forced him out at 93 when he made his transition. Unlike Bustamante Charles Snr. is in good health and is just 82. Mentally he is alert, and in good standing ….

“Since 2002 that I won the seat in North Central Clarendon there has been interest shown in replacing me .. retirement is not an option for now (now).  I have three years yet to go. Charles has dismissed  comments made by a Councilor who he removed “Him could not win, his JLP rival Fay Simpson won the seat. I did not tell them that I was installing my son.” Asserts a rather peeved Charles Snr. MP. Clarendon Central.

“I heard one Neville shouting that they wanted Robert Morgan of the OPM’s office to replace Charles Snr.  They are free to do what they want. Declared a strident Pearnel Charles Snr. I have been MP from 2002 representing Clarendon Central Constituency. Charles is also Speaker of the House.

I saw shirts with Morgan’s name on same. I also understand my son was interested in the seat.”

Plot

Is PM Andrew Holness part of a plot to oust Pearnel Charles Snr. as part of his master plan to toss out the old for the new?  This would be most unfortunate as Charles Snr. has sacrificed a lot for the JLP… as a party and national development.

Proven

Pearnel  Charles Snr. is a known entity. “They say new broom sweeps clean, but old broom knows the corners”  There is need for renewal, but to be seen as  discarding tested and proven faithfuls, should not be embarked on ill-advisedly.  We have all heard the aged only adage that:  “Youth is often wasted on the young.”  Is this so?  We have no evidence that PM Holness is party to this or any other attempts to remove Charles Snr.

Renewal

There is need for renewal. Plants and trees put out buds and new branches, so any organization especially those in the political arena must read the tea leaves and keep their fingers on the political pulse.  There has to be balance and good judgment when responding to readings … whether on the barometer or from the oscilloscope, polls etc. Misreading or misinterpreting the reading (s) is as dangerous as not doing or looking on any readings at all.

We have no evidence that Holness et al have conspired to move against Pearnel Charles Snr. We hope this is not so.

What is your perspective?

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is
Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.