... Gov't in waiting - Portia

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

PORTIA SIMPSON Miller has vowed to ignite the National Arena with a message of hope today when she addresses the 73rd annual conference of the People's National Party.

Arguing that Jamaica needs to be set free from the Bruce Golding Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government, Simpson Miller said this conference is a defining one in the life of the PNP and the Jamaican people.

In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, the PNP president telegraphed that her message to conference would be aimed at restoring hope and positioning the PNP in the minds of Jamaicans as the Government in waiting.

"I will be giving a serious charge, not only to the party but also to the country. I feel we are at a critical juncture in the country," she said.

However, Simpson Miller was guarded as to whether she will enunciate policies the PNP will implement if it is returned to power.

She said the PNP is "firm and ready to serve the Jamaican people in the capacity of government again".

"Our government will be a government of the people, for the people and from the people and not a government for a few friends," added Simpson Miller.

Asked whether she would be using the platform to send any message to the Government, Simpson Miller said: "Our message will be a message for the people of Jamaica, including the Jamaica Labour Party supporters."

"A number of them are suffering as well, and they must know that when we are returned to power we will not be a government for a few but a government for all the people of Jamaica," she said.

According to Simpson Miller, the PNP is ready, united and strong, and is waiting to answer the call whenever Prime Minister Golding rings the bell for the general election.

General election is due by latest December 2012.

Bumper crowd

Moments before the interview, Simpson Miller told comrades Friday night at the party's Old Hope Road headquarters that: "The hopes, dreams and aspirations for the vast majority of Jamaicans rest with what the People's National Party will do, this year, but more so next year."

Meanwhile, the PNP president is predicting that a bumper crowd would converge on the Arena today to stand with the leaders of the party in sending the message of hope to all Jamaicans.

"Last year was big, but we are in trouble this year, as with all the calls coming in from across Jamaica, people wanting to attend conference, it is going to be massive," Simpson Miller said.

Police last year locked hundreds of people outside of the Arena, as the party supporters who converged on the venue were too much to be accommodated inside.

The PNP later apologised to its supporters, saying it would go in search of a bigger venue.

The party's general secretary, Peter Bunting, has said hospitality tents will be provided on the outside of the Arena today for elderly comrades, in case there was no room in the building.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com