Portia impresses law students

Portia Simpson Miller has received high marks from three university students for her final presentation in the Budget Debate as opposition leader.

The three students from the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus - Dwayne Wynter, Shani Bennett, and Kimberly Brown - formed a panel assembled by The Gleaner yesterday to listen to and review Simpson Miller's presentation.

They agreed that the outgoing president of the People's National Party scored high for her presentation style but said that her content left them wanting a little bit more.

HIGH-SPIRITED

"I think her presentation was high-spirited and charismatic. I believe that it was expected of her, and while it was missing some of her usual slangs and gestures, she did add some humour, and almost anyone could relate to her presentation," said Brown.

For Bennett, Simpson Miller's critique of the Budget, presented by Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw was well done even though she left out many of the numbers one would associate with a debate of this kind.

"Her entire criticism was all about equity, and that struck a note. She was not saying to the Government that what you are doing is wrong, but she was basically saying this was not equitable given the circumstances," said Bennett, even as he argued that Simpson Miller could have said more on what a government led by her would have done differently.

The 'Nine-Star General' impressed Wynter with her list of achievements in her South West St Andrew constituency despite the many pockets of underdevelopment in the area.

"It was obvious that she saw herself as one who has created history, and she has. For someone who has come out of humble beginnings to achieve greatness, she will resonate with persons in similar situations," said Wynter as he gave Simpson Miller an 8.5 for her presentation.

Simpson Miller earned an eight from both Brown and Bennett.

"Her presentation was not boring, and I like that she tried to relate to everybody in the room," noted Brown as her male colleagues agreed.