Arthur Hall, Senior Gleaner Writer

Portia Simpson Miller and Dr Peter Phillips. - file

After months of campaigning, name-calling, finger-pointing and mud-slinging, the delegates of the People's National Party will meet today to elect a president and four vice-presidents.

The military cemetery beside the National Arena will provide the perfect backdrop as Comrades vote to retain Portia Simpson Miller or install Dr Peter Phillips as the party's fifth president.

The 'Last Post' might not be played and hopefully, there will be no gun salutes, but it would be a safe bet to say that several political careers, some in their decline, others in their infancy, will be buried.

Simpson Miller supporter Roger Clarke has left no doubt that he wants her to get rid of some of her detractors.

kindness for weakness

"Some people take kindness for weakness. Our party leader has been too kind to some. Sorry fi mawga dawg; mawga dawg turn round bite yuh," Clarke declared on Sunday at a delegates' rally.

Phillips has said he wants to keep every Comrade inside the party after he wins, but this has failed to put an end to allegations that his supporters have been threatening to get rid of some Simpson Miller backers once their man wins.

Four thousand four hundred and thirty-eight delegates are on the voters' list and the tone of the campaign indicates that there is a lot at stake.

For Simpson Miller and Phillips, the loser will be out of the executive of the party for the first time in several decades.

Neither of the two has given clear indications of what he or she will pursue in the event of a loss, but political watchers admit that it is difficult to envision Simpson Miller sitting on the back benches while PNP president and Opposition Leader Phillips makes his contribution to the Budget Debate.

flip side

The flip side is equally difficult to envision: two-time loser Phillips sitting as leader of government business in the House while Simpson Miller, who would have trashed him twice, makes her second Budget presentation as leader of the Opposition.

But political commentator Orville Taylor says for the good of the PNP, there is no escaping either scenario.

"If the winning candidate is not able to survive the dissent in the party and incorporate the loser who has a very strong following, then neither Peter nor Portia deserves to run the party, and certainly doesn't deserve to run the country," Taylor said.

And while the leadership candidates seem to have the most to lose, other members of their teams could also find their political careers coming to an end or just drifting to nowhere.

Maxine Henry-Wilson, Sharon Hay-Webster and Fitz Jackson must know that having hitched their carts to the Phillips wagon, a defeat for their candidate will spell trouble as Simpson Miller has already displayed an inclination to replace long-serving MPs.

In the same way, Phillip Paulwell, Angela Brown-Burke and Colin Campbell must know that a defeat for Simpson Miller will leave their political careers in trouble.

Comrades at the start of their political careers might survive a defeat for their candidate, but young parliamentarians, including Basil Waite, Lisa Hanna and Ian Hayles, should expect that their rise will be slowed if Simpson Miller loses.

the others

One must spare a thought for Chris Brown, Donavon Nelson, Andrew O'Kola, Raymond Pryce and Damion Crawford and the others who are yet to make it into Parliament and have taken on the campaign in a serious, public way.

However, Taylor says the PNP needs these young minds and the winner must find some way to keep them involved.

"I think they will have to continue having a role in the party," Taylor said.

The veterans, Roger Clarke, Harry Douglas and Donald Buchanan, were already in the departure lounge and the outcome of the election could determine if they are sent off with a handshake or a boot to the backside.