The Editor, Sir:

To the question: Do you believe this is the best time for Peter Phillips to challenge [Portia Simpson] for the leadership of the People's National Party? (Re. Phillips blames political system for nation's crises. Gleaner, Wednesday, July 16).

Yes, Peter Philips is 100 per cent right to challenge Portia Simpson for the leadership of the PNP. However, the contest should not be about mere popularity and personality, for if it were only about these things, then Simpson would win hands down. But the issue here has to be, who has the better perspicuity, programmes and policies for Jamaica.

'Better doctor'

Of these two PNP stalwarts, the determination has to be made about who is the 'better doctor', not necessarily academically, to cure Jamaica's almost terminal illnesses - its low economic productivity; its unjust and unfair social systems; its rampant political and other forms of corrupt practices; its seeming pathological obsession with murder and violence, et cetera; and, in all these challenges, Phillips is better equipped to solve these problems.

He is the better, rather the best person with the best plan now. How? His impressive curriculum vitae, as a public servant over many decades, attests to this fact.

I am, etc.,

GEORGE S. GARWOOD

merleneg@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica