Make Mikael Phillips compromise PNP leader
Published:Tuesday | September 10, 2019 | 12:10 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The delegates of the People’s National Party (PNP) went against public sentiment and stuck with history. But in doing so, they’ve saved Peter Phillips the embarrassment of being booted out by not giving him a mandate. Peter Phillips is the weakest PNP president and opposition leader since Independence, the delegates have confirmed.
Peter Phillips gave a victory speech which clearly indicates that he’s out of touch with reality. He behaved like he won by more than 400 votes. With history, the entire hierarchy, and washed-up dons on his side, he only could only manage to win by 76 votes.
NOT ENOUGH
Many will argue that a win is a win, even if it’s by one vote, but in politics, a margin of less than three per cent ain’t enough. Andrew Holness defeated Audley Shaw by 692 votes.
The opposition members are split down the middle. If Richard Azan and Evon Redman decide not to be neutral anymore and support Bunting, he could be in danger of being ousted as opposition leader and being a lame-duck party leader.
I strongly believe that no one in the People’s National Party can beat Andrew Holness at present. A party’s job is to win elections, and if it can’t win, it must find a person around whom everyone can coalesce to save them from a massive beating.
Andrew Holness is 47; later this year, Mikael Phillips will be 48. Neither Peter Phillips nor Peter Bunting should have a problem with Second Vice-President Mikael Phillips leading the party in the interest of unity. Even the Rise United camp will support Mikael because he’s way younger and more likeable than their leader, Peter Bunting.
TEDDYLEE GRAY
Ocho Rios, St Ann