Byron Buckley, News Editor
With the possibility of a general election this year, the ruling People's National Party (PNP) is attempting to fill the four vice-presidential positions without disrupting party unity.
The desire by PNP officials to prevent a possible dogfight over selecting vice-presidents comes in light of simmering tensions in the party in the aftermath of the presidential elections in February. Then Vice-President Portia Simpson Miller wrenched the presidential crown from her nearest rival, Dr. Peter Phillips.
According to a party source, delegates will be asked ahead of the annual conference in late September to approve a "settled agreement" on the slate of candidates to run for vice-president.
Mrs. Simpson Miller's promotion to president, followed by the recent resignation of Dr. Karl Blythe, has resulted in two vacancies for deputy posts. PNP General Secretary Colin Campbell confirmed yesterday that early candidates for the four vice-presidential positions include in-cumbents Dr. Paul Robertson and Dr. Peter Phillips.
In addition, there are new aspirants: Labour Minister and PNP Region Three Chairman Derrick Kellier; Junior Industry and Commerce Minister Kern Spencer; and Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Councillor Angella Brown-Burke.
