People’s National Party’s (PNP) presidential hopeful, Mark Golding, believes that integrity and the ability to attract finance are two of his main attributes, which make him an ideal candidate to lead the party going forward.

According to Golding, the party also needs a leader who will be able to unite the members and stimulate the base to make it a force to be reckoned with again, and eventually be in a position to wrest state power from the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“Jamaica needs a strong PNP. We provide an important alternative that is about empowering the Jamaica people and uplifting our people. And so, at this time, I think the party needs somebody who can stabilise the party, who can bring the party together, put an end to the internal issues that have been plaguing us, and strengthen the organisation of the party, attracting financing to the party,” Golding said in an interview with Loop News.

“We need somebody of a certain standing in the society, who is a trusted person, who is of known integrity, and who is known for competence on issues of policy, whether it be international or economic, or whether it be finances and so on.

“So I feel that my time has come. I have a duty to serve my country and I am a privileged son who has benefited so much from the Jamaica in which I grow up, and I want to give back, and I have been giving back through politics and other things, but now I think this is the time to step forward for leadership,” Golding added.

He expressed confidence that the delegates of the PNP know what the party wants and will choose him for the party leader over opponent, Lisa Hanna, at the November 7 leadership poll.

The PNP’s internal poll was called after Dr Peter Phillips announced that he would be stepping down as party president and Opposition Leader after the party’s crushing loss at the September 3 General Election.

According to Golding, he will be an inclusive leader who relies on teamwork to get whatever tasks the party has to achieve, as he believes in consensus building, treating other members with respect, putting personal differences aside, and not carrying feelings forward.

“I think that is the type of leadership that the party needs now and we must identify what we are about in terms of the vision we have for Jamaica, the type of policies that we feel will be relevant and meet the aspirations and needs of the Jamaican people, and sell our message effectively through modern communications.

“I think we can take back the reigns of the administration and affairs of the state by making sure our party is strong and united. That’s what I intend to do,” Golding said.

He expressed a focus on seeking to unite the party by mending divisions and ensuring that all the members become a part of the collective vision, while also getting professional assistance in team building and mediation that can help the members to reconcile, forgive and move forward. He said these principles will be communicated “down into the belly” of the party.

According to Golding, under his leadership, to kick Holness and the JLP from Government, he will seek to get the members to rally around a common mission while strengthening the different sections of the organisational structure.

He said finance will also be key, and the leadership will have to create a clear vision and articulate policies and programmes for the benefit of the Jamaican people.

He stated that as prime minister of Jamaica, his top priority would be the building of a strong economy to increase wealth among Jamaicans.

“I think the package of programmes and policies that can deliver that would be what I want to identify myself with, and be part of my legacy,” Golding said.

Meanwhile, according to him, should be become the PNP president, he will not be seeking the resignations of the senators in Parliament. He said this approach will be a part of his method to return unity to the party. The current PNP senators in the Upper House were appointed by Phillips.

Golding, however, said he will be studying the possibility of naming PNP spokespersons outside the parliamentary pool, as talented individuals are in the party who can effectively speak on particular portfolio areas, but are neither Members of Parliament (MPs) nor senators.

Golding said with the party only having 14 members in the House of Representatives, as well as eight senators, in situations such as the present, he believes the party should have broken the trend of not appointing losing candidates in the general elections to the Senate. That position contrasted sharply with that of Phillips during the latter’s recent nomination of senators for the party.

https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/watch-my-time-has-come-says-golding-prospect-pnp-leadership