Beverley Anderson-Manley
TWO DAYS ago, Saturday February 25, 3,800 delegates participated in an election for the presidency of the Peoples' National Party (PNP).
One thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five of those delegates voted for Portia Simpson Miller to be the fifth president of the (PNP). The delegates accepted Portia's request to create history by electing a woman to this high post and subsequently to the post of Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Twenty-eight years ago in 1977, a militant PNP Women's Move-ment attempted to nominate Carmen MacGregor as the party's first female vice-president. At the time, the party was not yet ready for a woman in that position. The following year, in 1978, Portia Simpson would become the PNP's first female vice-president.
IT'S PORTIA'S TURN NOW
In 1992, as a reluctant candidate, and with overwhelming support from the country at large, Portia failed to capture the imagination of the delegates. There is no doubt that one of the things that distinguishes her this time around is that she has exuded confidence from the beginning of this campaign, that it is now her turn.
A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PNP
Apart from anything else, this long campaign to elect a new president of the PNP has given each candidate a close look at the status of the delegates and an update on the PNP itself - as well as the performance of individual Members of Parliament. It is not a rosy picture as there are high levels of alienation from the peoples' representatives.
THE DELEGATES
Many of the delegates are more concerned about their individual and immediate welfare needs than on policies and programmes that could address the long-term strategic interests of the majority. Their 'gut' reaction told them that, of all the candidates, it is Portia who will best be able to address their welfare needs. Hence, the response of her appeal to 'Come to mama' and to 'Give the people what they want'.
There is no doubt that money played an important role in this election and that delegates played this to the hilt. There were reports that in the last week of the election, individual delegates were given money for their votes. As part of its rebuilding process, the PNP needs to look comprehensively at how they elect their leader.
A CHALLENGING TIME FOR JAMAICA
In one month's time, Portia will also be Prime Minister of Jamaica. She has the assurance of the Members of Parliament that this is so. She will have outgoing Prime Minister Patterson beside her to guide her on her way. The people of Jamaica will get to know her even more as she leads the affairs of the party and the country on a day-to-day basis.
DEPENDENCY IN THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY
She has already stated her intention to pay attention to the human resources of the country in a meaningful way. A large number of Jamaicans have lost their way. They have lost their sense of self; their sense of pride and their hope for a better life. There are still high levels of dependency within the party and the wider society.
AN EARLY ELECTION
Before the new leader can even conceive of an early election, President Portia will have to address how many MP's are running again; how many sitting MP's will be challenged by others wishing to run for office; the status of groups; the critical issue of representation and how the constituents view their MPs.
And all of this has to be carried out within the wider perspective of uniting and healing the Party after an openly divisive race between her team and the Peter Phillips' team. The PNP is in urgent need of transformation. And lest we forget, the Opposition has already signalled its intention to call for early elections.
VICTIMS OR AGENTS OF CHANGE - THE CHOICE IS OURS
Once again, Jamaica is at a crossroads. We can choose to be a world class country or to be content with 'business as usual'. This is a time for introspection of the kind that leads to action on behalf of the majority of our people. We, the people, can be victims of circum-stances or agents of change. The choice is ours.
The new leader is in place. Now, let us get on with the business of 'how ruling gets done'.
Beverley Manley is a political scientist and gender consultant. Email address: bmanley@kasnet.com
