RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Supporters at the People's National Party 67th Annual conference at the National Arena in September 2005.
Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
The stakes are high indeed, so high that the 'would-be' prime ministers of the People's National Party are currently waging multimillion-dollar campaigns for the coveted prize.
In less than two months, one of the four contenders Portia Simpson Miller, Dr. Peter Phillips, Dr. Omar Davies or Dr. Karl Blythe will have won, thanks to the millions received from rich companies and or individuals.
Three of the contenders have launched high-profile campaigns and have appeared at mass rallies. In contrast, Dr. Blythe has
maintained a grass roots role, making only select appearances.
D.K. Duncan, who represents Dr. Davies' 'Campaign For Prosperity', told The Sunday Gleaner that, "Elections are very expensive, be it internal or external."
Paul Burke, deputy campaign manager for the Simpson Miller team, said that his cash-strapped candidate has received funds from several sources: fundraising, volunteers, members of Team Portia, friends of Team Portia and corporate groups. Burke says these funds are inadequate and as such, members of the campaign cover their own expenses, including gasolene and telephone.
He said the Simpson Miller team had a projected budget of $1.5 million for its fieldwork, but had only realised about 30 or 40 per cent of that amount.
"Our candidate refuses to ask anybody for money. She wants no IOU's out there," Burke explained.
He stated that his candidate's refusal to ask for money from corporate entities has handicapped her campaign. He is adamant Team Portia is not receiving tainted funds.
approved list
"The central organisation has strict financial regulations: All funds are centrally handled and acknowledged," said Mr. Burke. "There is an approved list as to who contributions are solicited from, and I am absolutely confident that all the money received is high, high above board."
Concerning last Sunday's campaign launch in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, Mr. Burke revealed that costs amounted to $200,000.
"This paid for the venue, the PA system, food and transportation of supporters from Manchioniel, and in and around St. Thomas.
Dr. Duncan says he doubts that such an event could have cost as little as $200,000.
"It's just not on," he said. "That's unrealistic and eventually untrue unless they do not account for contributions in kind."
He revealed that the Davies team spent between $8-10 million on their Denbigh event alone. "About $2 million of that money was spent on transportation. There were about 5,000-6,000 supporters present and 1,500 potential delegates," he stated.
According to Dr. Duncan, Dr. Davies receives funding from individuals, donations from
corporate companies, persons in his campaign and overseas contributions. Without giving a figure, he said the overall campaign will run into millions of dollars.
He says there is a short list of sources from which the campaign solicits funds, and this is monitored by a finance committee. This cash, he said, comes from people who are known to have money.
"Although you do not necessarily run a due diligence or a criminal police check on everybody, it is generally known that some people have a reputation of being within the law," he stated.
Maxine Henry-Wilson, campaign manager for Dr. Peter Phillips' 'Solid As A Rock' campaign, told The Sunday Gleaner that funding has come from corporate Jamaica, individuals and three overseas fund-raising events.
no tainted funds
Though Mrs. Henry-Wilson could not give a definite figure spent on the campaign so far, she insists it has not received any tainted funds.
"You can look at all of our accounts and you can see exactly. We run a very tight ship in terms of fund-raising," she said.
Mrs. Henry-Wilson stated that the cost for paying the staff for the 'Solid As a Rock' campaign monthly is $300,000-$400,000.
Dr. Duncan of the Davies campaign further explained that the cost for transportation to bus people islandwide is $2 million. In respect to the 'Solid as a Rock' campaign launch today, he stated that the event should cost the team about $20 million overall.
He added that, the Team Portia launch at the Indoor Sports Centre last year would have cost about $15 million.
Dr. Karl Blythe's run is the most low-key. He said his conscience would not allow him to spend millions of dollars for extravagant functions.
"We know exactly who are the persons that will be voting. Some of these same delegates are unemployed, they don't know where the next meal is coming from; they don't know how their children are going to travel to school or even how books will be bought.
"I believe in going to them (delegates) on a low key, one-on-one, to let them know what my plans are for the party and the Government in general," he said.
