The Editor, Sir:

The PNP election campaign has apparently been built solely around their new leader Portia Simpson Miller, aka 'Sista P', 'Mama P', to the exclusion, I think mistakenly so, of the party and its team. As the campaign has unfolded, it is becoming apparent that Sista P, like any other politician, carries a negative as well. Has the PNP made a mistake in placing their faith solely behind Sista P?

Sista P won the presidential election of the PNP almost a year ago. Immediately following the leadership change, the party received a massive bounce in the polls, moving them from being slightly below the JLP to a massive lead. Unfortunately, Sista P decided not to call the election during this halcyon period and instead gave herself a full year at the helm. The 12 months have seen the PNP fortunes swing from being just below par with the JLP to a massive lead, down to being below par in May of this year, to a statistical dead heat in the last month or so.

Hurting more than helping

In light of the movement in the polls, the data seems to suggest that the Mama P factor has been spent. If, indeed, my analysis is correct, then the continued pushing of a Mama P programme could prove to be hurting more than helping, as more and more of her shortcomings are being brought to the fore. Could Sister P, the saviour, prove to be a key part of defeat of the PNP?

The PNP riding on her initial tidal wave of popularity would have easily swept to victory. Instead, the delay has left them in a nail-biting competition with a JLP awash with cash, and looking more and more confident with each passing event.

I am, etc.,

PAUL DUNCAN

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica

pduncan428@gmail.com