Dr. Karl Blythe was catapulted to victory in the PNP vice-presidential race yesterday at Mico Teachers' College.
-Ian Allen photo Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
DR. KARL Blythe created the latest political upset last night, when he emerged on top in the People's National Party's rescheduled vice-presidential vote. His surprise victory flung the two major presidential candidates, Portia Simpson Miller, and Dr. Peter Phillips, into second and third positions respectively. Incumbent vice-president Dr. Paul Robertson snatched the final vice-presidential spot. A total of 1,559 delegates voted, but 29 of them were spoiled, leaving 1,531 valid votes.
The rescheduled election of officers which took place at Mico Teachers' College in Kingston, saw Dr. Blythe amassing 1,443 votes, followed by Mrs. Simpson Miller's 1,381, Dr. Phillips' 1,229, Dr. Robertson's 1,203, with the fifth candidate, Paul Burke, receiving 864.
Speaking with reporters after the results of the poll were announced by campaign director Dr. Vin Lawrence, an elated Dr. Blythe attributed his victory to an "act of God".
"To God be the glory," he beamed. "To all delegates, I say thank you."
Dr. Blythe resigned as water and housing minister in 2002, after allegations of impropriety were levelled against him in what became the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC)/Operation PRIDE scandal. Although he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Ken Rattray Report in January 2003, he was never reappointed in the P.J. Patterson-led Cabinet. This was despite the PNP's victory at the polls in 2002 in which Dr. Blythe won the Western Westmoreland seat for the party. The following year, he barely scraped into the top four vice-presidential spots during the PNP's annual
conference.
Yesterday, Dr. Blythe remarked that leading up to the vice-presidential vote, he thought he would have come either second or third."I am surprised, but I must say to God be the glory," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
DISAPPOINTED DELEGATES
Meanwhile, in consoling disappointed delegates last night, Mrs. Simpson Miller said a victory for Dr. Blythe would be to her advantage for the PNP presidency.
"A victory for Blythe is also our victory," she stated, adding that she was content he beat her more than anyone else. She also congratulated Mr. Burke for what she said was his 'good' showing.
Mrs. Simpson Miller however pointed out that with a fifth candidate in the race, she believed the number one vice-presidential spot she earned two years ago, might have been threatened. "What I predicted is exactly what came through," she said.
For his part, Dr. Peter Phillips told The Sunday Gleaner he was not disappointed by his third position, as the delegates' list was skewed towards Dr. Blythe and Mrs. Simpson Miller.He added there were some 400 delegates alone who supported the both of them. "I am very happy, I say thanks to all the delegates," he said.
"We believe the entire episode shows there is strong support."
Dr. Robertson, who many expected would have lost to Mr. Burke, said last night's result "was a good one".
"I'm very pleased at the result in a situation where we had a very skewed list," he said.
