Cooke quits NDP’s New Times radio programme

Ernesto Cooke, the host of the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) ‘New Times’ radio programme has resigned.{{more}}

Cooke in a letter dated January 30, 2014 and addressed to the president of the NDP, Arnhim Eustace stated:

“I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning from my current position as talk show host for the New Democratic Party’s radio programme effective Friday, January 31, 2014.

“I express thanks to the party for being part of the team and appreciate the lessons learnt during that time which I know would serve me well in my future career.

“I leave without malice or ill will towards supporters, members and the party’s executive and hope the same would be extended to me.

“Please accept my best wishes and every success for the future of the organization.”

Speaking on the New Times programme yesterday, the leader of the Opposition said that he wanted to thank Cooke for his service in hosting the programme.

“It is not an easy programme to run even in the best times,” Eustace said.

When contacted, the leader of the Opposition told SEARCHLIGHT that he did not want to comment much on the matter except to say that Cooke had sent in his resignation.

“Whatever we have to pay him, he will be paid and that will be it,” Eustace said.

Cooke said that he too was not prepared to say much on the matter.

He said that he would prefer to wait until he got a response from the leader of the Opposition as the two had “discussed certain issues.”

Cooke said that he was waiting for those issues to be ironed out.

Cooke hosted the programme for close to three years taking over from controversial talk show host Elwardo E G Lynch.

In addition to hosting the New Times programme, Cooke also served as the NDP’s public relations officer up to last year’s party convention when he did not stand for re-election. He also sought the party’s nod as the candidate for the Central Leeward constituency for the upcoming elections, but lost in a run off last year with first timer Ben Exeter. (DD)