Patterson

Former Jamaican prime minister and president of the People's National Party (PNP), P.J. Patterson, said that his presence would definitely be felt on the campaign trail leading up to the impending general elections.

"I remain a member of the People's National Party and I am available to assist the party in whatever way the leadership and the campaign team think I can best do so," said Patterson.

He was speaking with The Sunday Gleaner last week at the Special Constabulary Force Association's 23 annual joint central conference that was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Patterson, who served as prime minister for 14 years, said that his experience would greatly assist the party in attaining a possible fifth term in office.

Experience

"At the moment, we certainly see that I act in the area of strategic planning and sharing the accumulated experience on the conduct of national development," he said.

Patterson, now an international consultant, demitted prime minis-terial office last year. Portia Simpson Miller assumed the post of PNP president and subsequently became the first female prime minister of the country.