Head of the People's National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) Senator Kern Spencer (left), looks on as PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill (centre) and General Secretary Maxine Henry-Wilson rap with the media at a press conference at PNP headquarters yesterday, to announce plans for the party's 65th Annual Conference at the National Stadium starting tomorrow. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer THE PEOPLE'S National Party (PNP) will be reviewing its diminishing political clout during its 65th Annual Conference which gets under way tomorrow at the National Arena.
Speaking during a press conference at the PNP's Old Hope Road headquarters, party chairman, Robert Pickersgill, told journalists that a recent report, on the party's performance in the 2002 General Election, and the 2003 Local Government elections, will be examined. This will take place on Friday, day two of the four-day conference, during the main business session.
The PNP won the 2002 election by the narrowest of margins in recent electoral history, and subsequently lost the 2003 Local Government elections in a dismal performance that saw the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) taking control of 12 of 13 Parish Councils.
On Friday, party leader, P.J. Patterson will also make a presentation on perspectives on the conference. In addition, delegates will receive the General Secretary's report, as well as reports from the vice presidents, the commissions, the regions as well as the Arms and Affiliates.
On Saturday, delegates will vote in the elections for the four vice presidents. "Special arrangements have been made for smooth balloting, which is being supervised by the Party's Internal Affairs Commission," Mr. Pickersgill said.
The four incumbent vice-presidents seeking re-election are Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security; Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government; Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture; and Dr. Karl Blythe, former minister of Water and Housing.
They are joined by Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development, whose entry was initially rumoured as that of a spoiler to force out Dr. Blythe. Dr. Robertson has, however, rejected these charges insisting he is a genuine contender in his own right.
PUBLIC SESSION
On Sunday, there will be a public session with the major address by Mr. Patterson. "We will also showcase the party and the future as we powerfully present 'Advancing Our Mission' (the conference theme), the PNP at 65," Mr. Pickersgill said.
The conference will kick off, however, with a presentation "depicting the advance of the party's historic mission over the 65 years of its existence." It will consist of both narration and music highlighting the significant period including universal adult suffrage in 1944, the PNP's first period in Government between 1955 and 1962, the 70s and its present 21st century mission.
