WALDERSTON, Manchester:

WITH THE People's National Party (PNP) in danger of imploding as a result of the contesting on party president, Portia Simpson Miller, contender Dr Peter Phillips has appealed to Comrades to keep the campaign clean.

"I urge every Comrade to conduct this campaign in a spirit of respect, to conduct this campaign with debate, and to have discussions," Phillips said to tumultuous cheers from hundreds of supporters who filled the Bellefield High School auditorium in Central Manchester on Sunday.

No dishonour

Political analysts and party figures have said the contesting could cause the PNP to become more divided.

On Sunday, Phillips repeated that he was not attempting to dishonour Simpson Miller by contesting her.

"I intend no disrespect," he told the gathering adding that the country was in a crisis and the party needed the best leadership possible.

"It would be wrong to walk away from this crisis which the country faces and abandon it to its fate," Phillips said.

Betrayal of history

The PNP vice-president has claimed that thousands of party supporters had asked him to run for party presidency.

In a release yesterday, Danny Roberts, a spokesman for Phillips, said it would have been a betrayal of history to ignore the clarion call of the thousands of Comrades and Jamaican citizens.

Phillips was adamant that his challenge should not be viewed in a negative light.

"This is not about dislike for anyone. I have the greatest respect for the years of service given by all the leaders of the PNP, including Comrade Portia Simpson Miller, who has worked very hard for the party," Phillips said.