Henry-Wilson (left) and Phillips

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

THE DIVIDE which showed up in the People's National Party (PNP) following the February presidential elections seems to be disappearing.

Informed party sources say the PNP leader and Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has been extending the hand of friendship to members aligned to losing presidential candidate Dr. Peter Phillips. Insiders say the party is beginning to heal ahead of its 68th Annual Conference to be held in late September.

Cracks had opened up in the PNP following a bitterly fought presidential campaign to replace retiring party president and Prime Minister, P. J. Patterson.

Now five months into Mrs. Simpson Miller's reign, The Sunday Gleaner has been reliably informed that she has made attempts to embrace influential persons in Dr. Phillips' camp.

Phillips eyed for big job

Maxine Henry-Wilson, according to several sources, has been picked to be the party's campaign manager, while Dr. Phillips has been eyed for a more senior job.

Mrs Henry-Wilson's role as campaign manager is reportedly being discussed by the officers of the party.

It is, however, uncertain whether Mrs. Simpson Miller has approached Dr. Phillips about the big job of deputy prime minister, which insiders say would signal unity in the party ahead of general elections constitutionally due October next year.

Party officials would neither confirm nor deny that Mrs. Henry-Wilson is being considered to lead the campaign team. However, the secretariat has said the matter of appointing of a campaign manager is being studied.

"That is a matter under consideration by the officers of the party. We will make an announcement at an appropriate time," said Julian Robinson, a deputy general secretary of the party.

Mr. Robinson also said that the appointment of a deputy prime minister lies in the sole jurisdiction of the Prime Minister.

Both Simpson Miller and Information Minister, Colin Campbell, were travelling overseas last week and could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, vice-president Dr. Phillips is expected to be numbered among the numerous PNP members to state their intention to run for one of the four vice-president seats at the upcoming conference. But Dr. Paul Robertson, an incumbent vice-president, is not expected to run again. "It is not my plan at this time," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

Meanwhile, Danny Roberts, vice-president of the PNP affiliate, National Workers Union, believes working class Jamaicans should be represented in the hierarchy of the PNP.

"It is something that a number of persons have approached me about and I certainly feel that there is the need for the productive base of the country to be represented," Roberts said.

It is not expected that Mrs. Simpson Miller will be challenged for the position of party president.