Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Portia Simpson Miller (left) listens to Beverly Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, during a breakfast meeting at the Hilton Kingston hotel yesterday. Simpson Miller was the guest speaker at the meeting. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
LIKE THE prodigal child of Biblical lore, Portia Simpson Miller returned to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) fold yesterday at the Hilton Kingston hotel, vowing to preside over an administration of transparency if she is elected President of the People's National Party (PNP) and Prime Minister of Jamaica.
"I believe we cannot move forward with the level of political alienation, disillusionment and cynicism which exists," the PNP vice-president said during a robust speech. "We have to ensure the return of trust in the political process."
The Local Government, Community Development and Sport Minister was the third of the four candidates running for the PNP presidency to address the PSOJ's breakfast meeting.
Based on the applause that punctuated her prepared speech and the standing ovation she got at its conclusion, she was easily the most popular to date.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION
She stressed that fighting corruption - a sore point for the current Government - would be priority for a Simpson Miller administration.
"My Government will set the highest standards of public behaviour and lead by example," she said. "Corruption is one of the greatest disincentives to increased production and one of the surest paths to destruction."
Mrs. Simpson Miller was not as decisive when panellist Wayne Chen asked for her solutions to crime and poverty in inner-city communities such as her South West St. Andrew constituency, which is located in the St. Andrew South Police Division, one of the most violent in the country.
"If you go into a inner-city community, no matter who represents it, when you see one you see all," she pointed out. "Why the lady with the scandal bag (for toilet purposes) in my constituency continues to support me is because she knows 'Sista P' has made representation," the Minister added. "She knows one day that 'Sista P' will make it happen for her."
Mrs. Simpson Miller stated that private sector involvement will be critical to transforming these communities.
BUILDING HOPE
She said building hope among the dispossessed and breaking down class and political barriers is another area of concern to her.
Once this is achieved, she noted, much of Jamaica's social and economic problems can be solved.
"I am convinced that strong communities will lead to strong parishes and strong parishes will lead to a strong nation," she reasoned.
Mrs. Simpson Miller was scheduled to address the PSOJ forum late last year but said a hectic itinerary forced her to cancel that appearance.
Finance Minister, Omar Davies, and National Security Minister, Peter Phillips, previously addressed business leaders.
Dr. Karl Blythe, the other candidate in the presidential race to succeed P.J. Patterson, is scheduled to address the forum later this month.
