By Devon Evans, Ocho RiosSENATOR BURCHELL Whiteman, Minister of Information, is the new general secretary of the ruling People's National Party.
He was elected unopposed yesterday at the party's conference of its National Executive Council (NEC) at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios.
Party chairman Robert Pickersgill, was re-elected unopposed. Maxine Henry-Wilson, the former general secretary was elected the new deputy chairman, replacing Senator Whiteman.
Elected deputy general secretaries were: Colin Campbell, former Minister of Information; Maureen Webber, businsswoman; Julian Robinson, and attorney-at-law Linton Walters. Walters and Harry Douglas, served as the two deputy general secretaries in the previous administration. The number of deputies was increased to four, but Mr. Douglas, who is now a Minister of State, did not seek re-election.
Mr. Campbell, who at one stage was the sole contender for the post of general secretary, was expected to face a stiff challenge from Senator Whiteman. The Gleaner understands that party officials met on Saturday night and persuaded Mr. Campbell to pull out of the race and accept a deputy general secretary position.
Pickersgill who is now the longest serving chairman of the PNP, said he was heartened and elated by the confidence placed in him by the delegates.
He said he was now looking forward to an exciting year of working to rebuild the party, especially among the middle class and hinted that only financial constraints might prevent them from moving into the highest gear during the period.
Mr. Whiteman said he hoped his long experience of working in the party would enable him to be a very effective general secretary. He said he hoped he would be able to successfully fulfil the party's mandate of broadening the base of membership, including bringing in those who have been on the fringes, into the mainstream.
Asked by The Gleaner how his new role would affect his position as Information Minister, bearing in mind the party's stated need for a full-time general secretary, Mr. Whiteman said he would straddle the two positions until there was a need for separation.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who was also at the conference, left early for New York.
