THE continued heat on former Jamaica Labour Party candidate Joan Gordon-Webley, over her decision to switch sides to the ruling People’s National Party, has triggered a debate among Jamaica Observer online readers. The latest salvo was fired on the weekend by House Speaker Michael Peart, who has called on the PNP leadership to reconsider Gordon-Webley’s membership, stating that a leopard cannot change its spots”. Several other party members have expressed unease with Gordon-Webley’s membership. Here are some edited comments:

peejay the original

So what is good for the goose is not good for the gander? A two-way street with one-way arrows? Keep her! She crossed lines and I would not allow her back. Lady, just quit politics altogether!

thirdround

By his argument, when a PNP changes to JLP – that PNP is a worthless member. I assume he is calling said/any JLP member changing over just as worthless. Or is he stating Labourwrties have more worth than his regular orange party members and therefore welcome? Just asking for clarification.

PoeticJustice

She should have retired with dignity instead of switching parties. Obviously she’s looking some position in the PNP. She needs to be relevant somewhere and she believes she can with them, but won’t admit it.

Andrew Simpson Miller

@PoeticJustice: It’s not time for her to retire yet. She has a lot more to offer this country.

tyroneosborne

In Jamaica there is a green lizard , which the Maroons call Agama . This lizard changes colour to a kind of darkish brown when agitated . In politics, though, you can change colours . The Bible says forgive, yes, but forgiveness without a change of one’s heart is useless . I had a secret enemy since 1968 and I have often forgiven her; but it only gives her more strength to hurt my brothers and their male children, not to mention mine!

chikV2Ebola

These people should stop being hypocritical while trying to breathe new life into the politically dead !

Matlock2

Really! So your forgiveness only works one way. You all need to be put in a barrel and rolled down to the sea.

Gary

Peart, you do not own the party, the party is way bigger than you. You are acting like a spoiled brat.

limbolee

Contradiction right there… so orange to green is not forgiven? Opportunist, I might say?

A.L.Smalling

I can only imagine the broad smiles on faces of JLP members as Gordon-Webley is being whipped by the orange rod. She thought that there would be a backlash from the JLP, but the only public comment so far was wishing her all the best.

Foxylady

@A.L.Smalling: Karma is a strange thing.

ramases

Here again is a classic example of the Jamaican brand of politics at its most bigoted, and from the so-called speaker of the House no less. In other countries the well-being of the nation and its people come first; here in JA it’s the PARTY. It looks like Dayton Campbell and Michael Peart seem to be pushing this ‘no former labourite in PNP camp issue’. Obviously you guys need to go back to school and refresh yourselves with some of Norman Manley’s utterances. You gentlemen certainly are not PNP.

PhilT McNasty

Dem coulda cock like robin, Joan did not make this move lightly and without due and diligent consideration. After she nuh idiot fi get shunned by the two parties. The move was to embarrass the JLP and to be used as a campaign propaganda. It was scripted for that purpose and everyone, including the speaker here, is on it… without making it obvious of course! The bottom-line is that there will be some big position for her, maybe ambassadorial. She will then be placed in a by-election later, and then … voila! … everyone forgets she was a turncoat.

_op Shelf

I don’t get why these people are treating PNP as if they have some sort of prestige.

Call I Mr.Tibbs

Crabs are all over each other here! Come to think of it, they are talking about green leaf and orange, when the reference should have been about pigs feeding at the trough and how the pigs and the sow act; his comments make him sound as if he is the “bran” boar!!.

Bobby Black

House Speaker Michael Peart made a valid point – just because Mrs Gordon-Webley applied for membership in the PNP doesn’t mean she should be accepted with open arms, hugs and kisses. She should have to start at the ground level and work hard to earn the trust of the people.

On another note, it’s time to put an end to the use of divisive rhetoric in Jamaican politics. The use of certain words and terms is like a spark that creates a fire that damages the relationship between the Jamaican people by causing disagreement and hostility. It just goes to demonstrate how some Jamaican politicians lack maturity and why they should learn the art of speech writing or hire speechwriters to do just that.

fieldgar

Mr Peart, don’t be a hypocrite. When PSM was contesting the leadership of the party, similar disparaging remarks were made about her [by fellow comrades] and they’re still in your party.

Drena

That lady is too cantankerous. She has too much baggage and is of no value to the party. Everywhere she goes she creates problems… let her stay in her beloved party… PNP is not desperate and will get along fine without her. Send her back to where she belongs.

jayjayja

Holness needs to capitalise on what is going on now in the PNP.

Sondon

Funny, funny, funny. It is clearly evident that this woman is damaged goods on all fronts. She has chosen to leave the party wherein she made her name, and she is running to another party that, for the most part, wants nothing to do with her. She has clearly demonstrated in the past few weeks that it is not about the people but about her. What a crime on the people? The electorate has become puppets for these self-righteous politicians.

noshel

The JLP must not accept her back if the PNP throws her out…

Marjorie Crawford-Dunn

My opinion is, Joan is a JLP at heart, but she has the freedom to move where she feels more accepted. Hmmmm, think they need to let her lie low and evaluate her for a while. Trust factor is important, even if she is forgiven, her actions when speaking about the chosen prime minister should not be forgotten. Can’t say I blame Mr Peart for speaking out.

CArlton Reynolds

Hypocrite, all of you are the same, so stop this talk about integrity, she is just another opportunist seeking another route to the trough. Pastor, you really don’t belong in such a gathering… but then again, maybe you do.

mccormacklindel

…Wonder what is Peart’s contribution to the nation apart from warming bench and talking nonsense.

summersqual

The political language is impolite and immature. No wonder the state of affairs in the Jamaican nation. No better herring, no better barrel.

lavalwilkinson

Why are we invoking the word forgiveness in relation to party hopping? Is being in one party an offence to the other, so when you switch you need forgiveness? If that’s how we see things then it clarifies why our country is the way it is.

spanishtown12

Tell har fi mi, comrade Peart. As the new fresh and young stated, our ting different. Seriously though, what is it about politrics that these people won’t leave? Some have contributed a sum total of zero while others have a negative total in their column. I know the new Jarassic Park movie just came out, but it wasn’t meant to be a renaissance for you guys. Geesshhh!

Thomas James

Speaker Michael Peart’s comments are pure stupidity and close-mindedness.

Hardleychaw

Lighten up, Speaker Peart , welcome the lady . She has seen the folly of her ways and his decided to take action . Better late than never . Hayles , Hanna and Atkinson , just to name a few , all took similar actions and now they’re important members of the PNP and the Government.

Andryia

It’s either you stand for something or you fall for everything! I question her decision. I agree with the speaker: how can you call the prime minister such a foul name and then run come under her umbrella after? Also, why quote the Bible on forgiveness and then turn around and say you won’t apologise if it was the other way around? That’s hypocrisy rearing its ugly face. Makes me question his integrity!

REAL TALK

She will be running against Andrew Holness. I heard that is what the intent is, so let’s wait and see.

Maria Monk

@ REAL TALK : Let them bring it on!

TUN_IT_UP

When all is said and done, it’s all about the orange clan vs the green clan. This tribal politics has resulted in Jamaica being demoted to a second-tier third-world country. That’s all we got out of this deal while the politicians acquire wealth. In other words, Jamaica, how is this working for you?

Wilton

What integrity is Mr Peart talking about? Very few politicians can talk about integrity, and when it comes to the parties, none of the two is better.

fatherforesight

Mikey P! As I have ALWAYS said, there are ONLY a FEW with scruples in this party, and YOU ARE ONE.

speak it like it is

This lady should just quit politics.

Guy Next Door

Folks who are keen on service can serve outside of the political sphere. Joan is a combative one who should serve behind the scenes away from the glare of the camera. What do I care which political movement she serves in? If senior members with sway in the movement are not comfortable with her membership, how will she serve the people effectively? I am yet to see how Gordon-Webley has served this country effectively. Perhaps she should just apply for membership in Betty-Ann Blaine’s movement or volunteer to serve with the JFJ if she is so keen on service and neither of the two major movements is comfortable with her membership. If she is truly into serving Jamaica she may take a good long look at her public image and the persona she has put out there thus far. Just saying.