By Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter 
An emotional Roger Clarke tries to hold back tears after he was voted out at the National Arena in Kingston yesterday.
MINISTER OF Agriculture, Roger Clarke, made a tearful exit from the line-up of four vice-presidents for the People's National Party after he was relegated to fifth place at the National Arena yesterday.
The Minister also lost the battle to hold back the tears as the other contenders celebrated their victories. He had vied for one of the posts along with Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government; Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security; Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development and former Water and Housing Minister, Dr. Karl Blythe.
Nonetheless, he tried to put a brave face on the outcome.
"The five of us went. The delegates have decided who are the first four. I come fifth. To be fifth in the leadership of the party is good enough for me coming from a humble group member. Coming from being vice-president of this party for eight years. Not many people in Jamaica can boast that," he said.
He said he was disappointed but added "the work continues."
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, A.J. Nicholson, who appeared to have been consoling the Minister for a moment said: "It is a pity that one had to lose but those were the cards that were played. I believe that it has been a good contest and in the long run it will redound to the benefit of our party."
Meanwhile, other members of party such as outgoing chairman of Region 3, Paul Burke, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the elections which saw Portia Simpson Miller coming out with the most votes, 1,466, when compared with the other contenders.
"I expected it," said Mr. Burke. "It is the reflection of the desire of the party delegates at this time, even Roger is happy."
The crowd of PNP supporters went wild with celebration as the announcement was made that Mrs. Simpson Miller had received the most votes.
"I feel happy, I feel glad, we have to give a woman something sometime. We need fi wake them up and show them say woman can do anything wey man can do," said Doreen Brown from Kingston.
