Simpson Miller is a lame-duck president, says political commentator Ashley

Political commentator Dr Paul Ashley has described the head of the People’s National Party, Portia Simpson Miller, as a lame-duck president following her return to the party’s top post on the weekend.

Ashley says PNP delegates returned Simpson Miller as president to ensure the party remains stable until after the local government elections, due to be held by the end of December.

However, he says Simpson Miller is unlikely to get much help with her agenda as PNP members are simply waiting for her to go.

Ashley says party members are more focused on lining up behind Dr Peter Phillips and Peter Bunting who have both expressed interest in leading the party.

Saturday’s leadership elections also saw incumbents Angella Brown Burke, Fenton Ferguson and Noel Arscott being returned as vice-presidents of the party.

However, Ashley says despite the return of the incumbents, PNP members still want renewal and this process will be completed once a new party leader is selected.