Opposition Leader Dismisses Leadership Challenge

 

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Leader of the main opposition People's National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson - Miller has brushed aside a challenge from her former national security minister Dr. Peter Phillips for the leadership of the party.

In a statement released late last week Monday, Simpson - Miller said she was not aware of Phillips’ intention to challenge her for the presidency of the party that she won two years ago.

"Not having heard directly from Comrade Phillips, I am relying on the truth of these reports as I acknowledge the democratic right of any member of the party to aspire to any elected position within our movement," she said.

"The People's National Party has an enviable reputation for internal democracy.

This is however the first time in our history that a sitting President of the party is being challenged and in the year of our 70th anniversary, no less.”

She said if there is a challenge to her leadership it would come at a time when the public have become disgruntled with the Bruce Golding Government.

"All the polls have reflected what has been widely known for several months - that the people of Jamaica have determined that the current administration being led by Bruce Golding is grossly incapable of meeting their needs, of allowing them to realise their dreams,” she said.

However, Simpson - Miller, who took over the leadership of the PNP from former prime minister PJ Patterson when he stepped down in 2006, said the party is ready for the challenge.

"Nevertheless, Team People's National Party, the team that I lead, is up to the task to meet this impending challenge.

It is hoped that once this has been settled we may all refocus our attention on continuing the development agenda of our country that has sadly languished over the last several months," Simpson -Miller added.

Phillips, a PNP Vice President, announced last Sunday that he would contest the leadership of the party.

"To the persistent demands of thousands and thousands of comrades at al levels of the party, and the demand of citizens across the length and breadth of Jamaica who have asked that I accept your nomination to lead this process of renewal, I have one simple answer - a resounding yes," Phillips told supporters.

He said the date for the launch would be determined by his constituency and campaign teams that also include former Education Minister Maxine Henry Wilson.

Phillips said the campaign would not be divisive and that he had taken into consideration concerns by some members that the party could not handle another leadership challenge.

The PNP's Appraisal Committee that reviewed the party's performance in the last general election attributed the loss to the split that was left after the last leadership race.

 

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