Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter 
Simpson Miller
THERE ARE mixed reactions from political analysts about the stewardship of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller during her first 100 days in office.
Political analysts and union leader, Lambert Brown, say the Prime Minister has come out shining as a defender and protector of the poor. But journalist and political analyst Lloyd B. Smith believes the Prime Minister is yet to assert herself.
Evangelist Errol Rattary argues, while she has done nothing drastic in her first 100 days, she has been very impressive in her religious expression.
Mr. Brown says Mrs. Simpson Miller has shown her commitment to the poor, especially during her Budget presentation.
"During that period, she can claim credit for presiding over a no-new-tax budget. So on the issue that she cares about the poor, she has been able to succeed in her first 100 days in defending them," he posits.
He also credits her for raising the issue of housing for the poor and the vulnerable, and even diverting funds from the National Investment Fund (NIF) for small and
medium-size business.
Another plus he identifies is a reduction in murder rate during her first 100 days. He also scores her high for intervening in some industrial disputes such as WINDALCO and for the signing of the second Memorandum of Understanding between trade unions and government.
HIGH MARKS
Mr. Brown also gives the Prime Minister high marks in the area of foreign affairs for having attracted the visits of the Malaysian and Chilean leaders, her visit to Trinidad and Tobago and Washington and now the CARICOM heads of government conference.
But Mr. Smith has a different view of the Prime Minister.
"I cannot point to any high point at this time," he tells The Sunday Gleaner. "I am yet to see some of the things she promised being put in place."
He points to Mrs. Simpson Miller's failure to dismiss Industry and Commerce Minister, Phillip Paulwell during the cement crisis, which caused some 30,000 persons in the construction industry to be laid off due to the unavailability of cement as a result of faulty cement being released by the Caribbean Cement Company Limited.
"I think that was a blow to her creditability.One would have thought that she would have given him some raps on the knuckle," says Mr. Smith.
But Mr. Brown countered by citing this incident as indicative of the Prime Minister's calm and flexible disposition in reacting to crises.
For evangelist Errol Rattray, Mrs. Simpson Miller has stood out because of the Christian principles she has asserted.
"Her public trust in God has been the biggest plus. If she continues putting God as the main factor, we could see the murder rate, economy and mannerisms of Jamaicans improving," he suggested.
Meanwhile, there is a general view that one of her weaknesses is dealing with
the divisiveness in her party. But this, the analysts say, needs more time.
Read about the first 100 days of
the Manley and the Seaga regimes in tomorrow's Gleaner.
