THE EDITOR, Sir:

Listening to my prime minister speak while watching the news recently reinforced my view that we are in a serious leadership crisis. Portia Simpson Miller defended her silence on critical national issues as a symptom of her hard work. She also unfortunately played the gender card, saying she is judged harshly because she is a woman.

Both assertions are seriously flawed. First, when someone is designated to lead, leadership is expected to be multifaceted. One is expected to, in the PM's words, "work, work, work". However, a leader is also expected to provide guidance, vision and timely updates.

Mrs Simpson Miller, during her application for the position of prime minister, could hardly keep quiet. Her opinion on EVERY issue was known.

More disturbing is that after being given her second run as prime minister, Mrs Simpson Miller sees it fit to draw the gender card.

If the electorate or party delegates thought her office gender-specific, Peter Phillips or Andrew Holness would now be prime minister. This cry for empathy is not a good sign for the leader of our nation. With the harsh and far-reaching decisions that lie before us, what is needed is intestinal fortitude and sound decision-making, not cries for sympathy.

RICHARD SMITH

richardmc1999@yahoo.com