By Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Supporters celebrate with Minister of Local Government, Portia Simpson Miller, after she came out with the most votes in the PNP vice-presidential elections held at the National Arena yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Minister Portia Simpson Miller reclaimed the position she held among the four vice-presidents of the People's National Party when she emerged with the most votes at the party's 65th Annual Conference at National Arena in Kingston yesterday.
Mrs. Simpson Miller turned the tables on Dr. Peter Phillips who had thrashed her in 1999, gaining 1,466 votes to Dr. Phillips' 1,367. Dr. Paul Robertson got 1,252; Dr. Karl Blythe 1,245 and Roger Clarke, 773 votes.
Mr. Clarke, who described himself two weeks ago in an interview with the Sunday Gleaner as an institution in the party proved to be the weakest link, losing his vice-presidential position to former general-secretary, Dr. Robertson.
An emotional Mr. Clarke, with tears in his eyes, tried to downplay the loss of the position he held for eight years.
"It's under control. PNP all the way," he said clenching both fists. "Stand firm."
Meanwhile, Dr. Robertson, whose elevation derailed Mr. Clarke, said the party president had outlined the challenges facing the party and he looked forward to being a part of that rebuilding process which was necessary at this time.
"I was reasonably confident but I always felt that we must leave it in the hands of the delegates," said an elated Dr. Robertson.
An equally happy Dr. Blythe, while retaining his position, was in sympathy with the Agriculture Minister. "I just wanted to say to Roger, there is always a place for him in the party and we expect him to be there."
Meanwhile Mrs. Simpson Miller said she was not reflecting on the votes that she got, "What I am reflecting on is the confidence the delegates have in me and the work to be done in the rebuilding process."
But when quizzed as to whether this is a reflection of what will happen when the party leader steps down, all the vice-presidents played down its importance.
Dr. Peter Phillips, who has been widely touted by political and media pundits as the man mostly likely to be the next Prime Minister, said "This is our lowest delegate count that we have had in many years. What we have to ensure is that we rebuild the party organisation so that our delegates are more widespread."
The low number of delegates also drew the ire of party president and Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson when he addressed the delegates prior to the announcement of the results.
"The mission is not about VP election. It's not about who will succeed when I step down, it's about re-examination, re-engineering and retooling and the PNP is ready for that," said Mr. Patterson, to thunderous applause from the delegates. "Let the progress continue."
MORE PARTY CONFERENCES
Mr. Patterson, on Friday, made it clear that with the help of God, he would be attending several more party conferences but not as leader.
The PNP, celebrating 65, years kicked off its four-day conference on Thursday with what was dubbed Cultural Night. On Friday, there were the nominations of the five candidates and yesterday four were elected.
According to Mr. Patterson, last year when the PNP met, it was under a different set of circumstances. "We were weeks away from facing the electorate and as party leader we are continuing the mission of the people."
The ruling party said it would be looking at party reforms and strategies in light of their poor performance in the recent Local Government Elections.
"Any party that is 65 years old must go through retrofitting and retooling in which all economic enterprises must engage in order to survive in the 21st century," he said.
Several proposals were put forward by the Structures Committee and all were accepted. "Everything was accepted," said Paul Burke, the outgoing Region 3 chairman.
The four-day conference ends today with a public session starting at 10:00 am, and at 1:30 the party leader will again address the conference.
