Heather Robinson
'PNP Women For Bruce'. Can you even begin to imagine how strange and far-fetched this would sound, if indeed there was such a group of women? What would be the motivation of any group of People's National party (PNP) women in forming such a group and going even further by hosting Bruce Golding at an activity designed to bolster his support within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Jamaica. Clearly, the motivation could not be to seek the support of PNP members and supporters, and the real PNP women would act quickly.
This scenario is as ridiculous as a group calling itself 'Labourite women in support of Portia', organising an activity to support PNP presidential candidate Portia Simpson Miller.
The race for the leadership of the PNP will continue beyond September 2005, as was stated by the president of the party, P.J. Patterson, at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in January, 2005. Mr. Patterson reminded those who had forgotten what he had said then, at the weekend meeting of the NEC. Some persons have expressed shock at this reminder, while others welcome the additional time that Mr. Patterson will be the president of the PNP.
REASON FOR GREAT INTEREST
There are many reasons why there is so much interest in who succeeds P.J. Patterson. Those Jamaicans who are members of the PNP, and from which the delegates will come, are the only persons who will determine who becomes the fourth president of the PNP. Ideally, this must be an individual who can lead the party into a fifth term, and if not, maintain the integrity and strength of a viable Opposition, as Michael Manley was able to do between 1980 and 1989. This person must be able to unite the party and preserve the vision and probity of this the most experienced political movement in Jamaica. This individual must want to be president and not only prime minister.
During the last lap of campaigning, we will begin to see more Jamaicans coming forward to express their financial support for individuals. Within this group are persons who have absolutely no interest in the PNP. Their only interest is in who becomes the prime minister, and if that position could be had without a special delegates conference of the PNP, then, all the better. If you were to ask some of those persons the address of the PNP headquarters, they would not be able to tell you. But they might just be able to tell you where the campaign headquarters of their chosen candidate can be located, and they might have even attended some sort of meeting at that location.
NOT FOR SALE
These wealthy Jamaicans who are neither supporters nor members of the PNP believe they can use their wealth to have the candidate of their choice elected by the delegates of the PNP. During the seventies, one of the most popular slogans that characterised the Michael Manley-led government was "We are not for sale".
It is my belief that the majority of PNP members still practise this principle, and will not be bought by external forces who have no interest in the PNP, and none at all in P.J. Patterson's dream of building a new PNP headquarters.
One of the best tributes to the leadership of P.J. Patterson is evidenced by the great many non- members of the PNP who believe that there is something good happening in the Jamaican economy, so they need to have their particular candidate in place in order that they can control the "commanding heights of the economy" (another popular phrase of the seventies). Clearly, they know that more growth in the economy is coming and they want to be principals in such development.
FOR THE LOVE OF OUR FAMILIES
For many of us who are members of the PNP, two things are clear. Next to our families, the PNP is the institution with which we have had the longest relationship. We are passionate about our families and their preservation, as we are about the People's National Party. We are going to elect a president who will be the prime minister and who can and wants to lead the PNP whether we are in Government or Opposition. We are protective of our families, and we are going to protect and preserve the PNP so that when P.J. Patterson retires he can recognise it and be comfortable. The fourth president of the PNP will have a real heart, lead a political movement, and provide the security that Jamaica needs. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
