Dear Editor,

In all my years of election watching this is the only time that I just cannot predict the outcome.

This is the first time that I can recall a party calling an election well before it is constitutionally due and a party leader resigning for fear of being blamed for his party’s loss at the polls. No doubt about it – if Bruce Golding had led the Jamaica Labour Party into the coming elections they would have suffered a devastating defeat.

In view of the above, can the new leader overcome such a major handicap and lead his party to victory? That is the million-dollar question.

Now let’s look at the weapon the new leader has at his disposal. He is the youngest prime minister Jamaica has ever had, and given many Jamaicans’ contempt for the old, you see it played out every day in public places. Can Portia Simpson Miller, who will be 66 years old on nomination day, beat a 39-year-old, 6′ 2″ fit-looking politician? If she does, it will be great victory for older people.

Ken Spencer

Kingston 8

ken3_1999@yahoo.com