Samuda tipped for crucial role in gov't, but not finance ministry?

 

Political commentator Damion Gordon believes the swift announcement of the by-election in North East St. Ann is a signal that Matthew Samuda is tipped to play a crucial role in the government.

 

Mr. Samuda was presented by Mr. Holness as the Jamaica Labour Party's standard-bearer at an event in the constituency last November, amid bitter complaints from residents about the representation that was being provided by their then Member of Parliament, Marsha Smith. 

 

The government announced Ms. Smith's resignation from the seat on Tuesday, and at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing, the Prime Minister announced that Mr. Samuda had resigned as a senator and Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, so he could contest a by-election in the seat on the Jamaica Labour Party ticket. 

 

Amid speculation that Mr. Samuda may be asked to fill the Finance Minister post, political commentator Damion Gordon admits the theory is valid. But he thinks it is unlikely to happen. 

 

"There is nothing in his background, his experience that would indicate to me that he is a natural fit to be the next Minister of Finance. I think that is a very technical ministry. And if we look at the persons who have served in that capacity over the years, before being elevated to that role, their history of work, their history of service, professional and otherwise, would have shown some readiness for that very technical role," he reasoned. 

 

Mr. Gordon suggested there could be shifts in other ministries, with Mr. Samuda then being elevated to a ministerial portfolio. 

 

In the meantime, the commentator said the decision by PNP not to contest the by-election in North East St. Ann may be strategic as it prepares for the upcoming general parliamentary election, constitutionally due by September next year. 

 

The PNP may want to reserve its resources for the general election, Mr. Gordon argued, adding that the party may have calculated that it has slim chances of winning the by-election in what is considered a JLP "safe seat".

 

The People's National Party on Wednesday said it would not contest the by-election, accusing the Andrew Holness administration of wasting state resources for the sake of restructuring the government.

 

PNP General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell contended that there are more important things that can be done with state resources at this time. 

 

"Schools are still not repaired; when hospitals are still underfunded, with patients sitting on chairs and on floors; agriculture still hasn't received the assistance it deserves, food prices skyrocketing. There are more important things for the government to focus on with their resources, other than the politicking that they are trying to do," he complained. 

 

Dr. Campbell also highlighted the quick calling of the by-election in North East St. Ann - a day after the MP resigned - and contrasted that to the Trelawny Southern seat which has been vacant since September last year, following the resignation of Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert.  

 

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Holness said North East St. Ann was "not being singled out". He insisted the government would complete all by-elections "within months", including that of North West St. Andrew after the imminent departure of Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke on October 31.  

 

In response to the concerns that no by-election date has yet been announced for the Trelawny Southern constituency despite the year-long vacancy, Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang promised a by-election will be called "at the time the Prime Minister finds most suitable". 

 

But instead of calling multiple by-elections, Dr. Campbell has urged the government to call the general election and let the people "decide if they want to continue on this downward spiral, or if they want change with a government of integrity that has a vision and a clear mandate".