Garwin Davis, Freelance Writer
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's chooses to mobilise the troops as he celebrated 30 years of political service, at a rally in his constituency in Whitehouse, Westmoreland.
Western Bureau: THOUSANDS OF party faithful were bussed in from across the island to Whitehouse, Eastern Westmoreland on Sunday afternoon, as the People's National Party celebrated Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's 30 years of political service.
Flanked by a high level team of government ministers, the prime minister reminded supporters that the last time the PNP were going into a general election, they had gathered at the same location prior to the announcement of the election date.
"The last time we were going into the general election we had a bam-bam here in Whitehouse," the Prime Minister said to the jubilation of his supporters. "I made it known then that we wanted no big speeches just a bashment, like tonight."
The prime minister said because of his low-key demea-nour, the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was having a difficult time reading him and noted that they continued to underestimate him to their own detriment.
"Contrary to my calling as a lawyer, I am a man who is not always speaking," he said. "This I find confuses the opposition. They don't know what angle I am coming from. Whenever they feel safe, they are surprised with a left hook and then right crosses to the body. They never seem to know what hit them. We did it in '89', '93' and '97' and we are going to do it again. They say I am soft. Let them come test."
Minister's Karl Blythe, Donald Buchanan and Arnold Bertram who preceded Mr. Patterson at the podium, all implored the gathering to get their community organisations in place and to be ready for when "the trumpet sound".
"As of today, performance is what we will be looking for from all of you," the minister said. Buy a ticket to performance. We need every indoor agent, every runner and every canvasser to do their part because that is the sort of performance that will enable the Prime Minister to take us into a fourth term, " Dr. Blythe said.
Added Mr. Bertram: "If we in region had the choice to select one man to lead us, it would no doubt be P. J. Patterson. The people of Jamaica can look at him as one of their own and he will go down in history as one of the finest leaders of this country."
Members of Parliament Donald Rhodd from Region 2 and Ronnie Thwaites from Region 3 both made assurances to the Prime Minister. "From the powerful Region 3 inclusive of 15 constituencies, we stand firm," Mr. Thwaites said. "We don't skin up with Seaga and the labourites them in Kingston. It is time we back up this man in these difficult times. He is a man who understands the needs of the inner city communities."
Mr. Thwaites also told the gathering to leave with a purpose and to ensure that they do their part in getting their organisations ready. "Don't just come here for the party and the niceness," he said. "The soldiers and warriors of the PNP must leave here with a purpose."
Delano Franklin, chief advisor to the Prime Minister attempted to downplay talks of an impending general election anytime soon but noted that parish council elections were constitutionally due in 2002. "I don't know of an election being on the cards right now," he said. "Don't read too much into what is happening here."
Mr. Thwaites feels confident that whenever the election is called, the PNP machinery is in place for a victory at the polls. "I am not certain if there will be an early general election," he said. "We would be glad though if there is one as we are ready."
The Prime Minister, when asked if an early election was imminent, hesitated, then smiled and responded No." Before being ushered in his car by his security team, he turned, smiled again, and responded: "We are just revving up the engines."
...Appeals for support
Western Bureau:
PRIME MINISTER P. J. Patterson insisted at the weekend that the right economic policies were in place for the country to move forward but said members of his administration will have to start pulling their weight to have them fully realised.
Speaking in Whitehouse to members of his Eastern Westmoreland constituency, the prime minister, stating that the country was at a cross roads, noted that all economic and social policies were in place but that they had to be given the opportunities to work.
"I don't feel, though, that things can be done by one person. Yes I am the leader but even Jesus had his prayer disciples. I need to have a team working with me. Members of Parliament, councillors, mayors and youth groups have to all do their part and realise that they are a part of the greatest party in the Caribbean," he said. Mr. Patterson noted that he understood that government had a clear responsibility to ensure that law and order prevailed in the country and that as Prime Minister, he had to lead from the front. He challenged the country to rally around the government in its fight against what he called "crime and hooliganism".
"I am the general at the front line and I know that all things start with me," the Prime Minister added. "In order, though, for us to win this fight, the people will have to get involved. This is not a P.J., or a K.D. or the Commissioner of Police's problem alone, we all have to do our part."
And responding directly to his critics, Mr. Patterson said that he was aware of some of the negative things that were being said about him and quipped, "if them think say mi soft mek them come test mi no."
He noted that his way of doing things, "without fuss or rancour," may have contributed to the thinking that he was too laid back and wasn't aware of what was happening around him but indicated that he wasn't about to change or apologise for his leadership style. "They say I am too soft and that I don't know what is going on," Mr. Patterson charged. "Yet every time there is a crisis to be solved, there is only one person they can turn to, which is me. I come and I deal with things in a very calm manner without getting into fights with anybody. You cannot build Jamaica with the power to divide but must always try to bring people together."
