Fresh Winds

He has travelled many a road before, walked many a path. He has trekked the cold and dark ones and strolled the sunny streets.

Over the years Lennox Linton has been in journalism, public relations, human resource management, business management and communications. But a politician?

Here's what Linton told The Sun in December 2009 in response to those who claimed the talk show host was a United Workers Party (UWP) politician dressed as a journalist.

"My interest in politics is not to be a politician but to remind the politicians what must be done. One of the regrets that I have is that governments tend to disconnect with the people who they are supposed to represent."

That was then. This is now and he's chosen to travel the road to loneliness, walk the path to the top, find the way to the leadership of the United Workers Party (UWP). This development, first reported by The Sun, could lead to a revolution of sorts, one Linton supporter contended.

"He (can) bring a freshness to the scene," said Arthie Martin who claimed he was among some UWP advocates who urged Edison James to "arrange for the transition" and to bow out gracefully.

"There is a sense that things are shifting, there is a new buoyancy, the sense that all is not lost and it has to do with the Edison announcement," Martin added.

But opinions on Linton have been divided. As a talk show host he has been a perennial thorn in the government's side, angering supporters of the Roosevelt Skerrit administration with what many see as his caustic manner. In addition, the party faithful, including the sitting members of parliament, must demonstrate their support for him in deeds as well as words. Martin told The Sun this issue can be put to bed easily if the transition is managed properly.

"Lennox has to present himself differently, he has to allow the party (process) to take its course, he has to handle himself well."

There are also questions about the anointed UWP leader's competence to lead a political party, considering his inexperience in active politics.

"Some people are saying the man is a talk show host and how can you take a talk show host and make him party leader?" one observer told The Sun.

"Lennox is much more than a talk show host," Martin retorted. "Lennox has been (doing) and still does a lot of consultant work, he's well thought of in business circles, he is well thought of among certain political circles in other Caribbean countries. I think his claim to competence, his claim to be ready for this is much stronger than it appears to be."

However, his resolve, his ability would likely be tested if another potential leader, Thompson Fontaine, makes a bid for the leadership. A UWP insider has told The Sun that the party had decided to choose "somebody from inside" to replace James, suggesting that Fontaine would first have to prove himself as a party faithful before he could be considered. Fontaine, who recently told The Sun he was planning to contest the next general election on a UWP ticket, said nothing had changed because James' departure.

"It is something beyond my control; I have to work within that framework," the economist told The Sun in a telephone interview from Washington.

Will he make a bid for the leadership?

"I have not ruled it out," he said, "I am not ruling out that possibility. That is something I might consider."

Asked if Linton was the best person to lead the party, Fontaine talked about uniting the country.

"You need a leader who can bring the country together and people have to decide whether Lennox is the best person to do that. The party will be well advised do not rush into a decision on the leader, take its time to find the person who can bring all the opposition together," he stated.

Pressed further on whether he was describing himself, Fontaine took the diplomatic route.

"Over the past two years," he said, "my effort has been on unity and having a leader who can bring all the parties together. My position is, to win the next election you need a coalition, you need to have all the opposition working together and you need a leader who can do that."

However, Martin, a steadfast defender of Linton, suggested this was a perfect description of the Marigot-born radio personality.

"Will he be able to attract the people Edison couldn't attract?" Martin asked in relation to Linton. "The answer is yes."

The road to the top seems clear, the path unhindered.