Portia could be catalyst of change!
published: Monday | April 3, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I must admit I was one of Portia's harshest critics. I felt she was as some would say- 'old wine, in new bottle'. Her 15-odd years in Government hardly signified any major accomplishment, or gave any indication of her tremendous leadership potential we are now hearing about. I could never understand how some reacted to her new role as PM, as if she was something 'new'. In my mind, she represented the same old failed policies of the PNP Government of which she was an integral part as senior minister of Government who often acted as PM.

I was nevertheless very impressed by her decorum during the PNP presidential campaign and moreso at Thursday's inauguration as Prime Minister. I was equally impressed by the overwhelming support she appears to have, if nothing else, that could translate into hope and give her the ammunition to drive change. More importantly, I was impressed by her speech and her platform, the priorities she hoped to address as the country's newest Prime Minister.

Although I have reservations about her 'new' 14-man cabinet, I expected more drastic changes, and it appears to be the 'same old, same old'. It will be very interesting to follow her direction and momentum and energy, from now on, working with the 'same old'. I still wish her the best, anything or anyone which can encourage drastic change and progress, for the betterment of Jamaica, must be given a chance.

I am, etc.,

P. CHIN

chin_P@yahoo.com

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica