PNP President responds to the challenge

[SmoothOperator]

Re: PNP split widens

I shall not lie. I am delighted by the happenings in the PNP. The party as is needs to be flushed and rebuilt from the ground up. The electorate barely got it right the last elections. I just hope that these goings on will convince those eligible to vote that this is not a party that should be in power anytime soon. But don't hold your breath and don't misunderestimate the silliness of the voting public.

[bee_bop]

Re: PNP split widens

<span style="color: #660000">Portia may take offence to the title of this post, &quot;<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'">PNP split widens</span>,&quot; I am sure she will deny that there is any publicly visible split that is in the process of widening. She would assure the public that all matters are totally private.</span>

[evanovitch]

Tell them to fire me! - Clarke as PNP war heats up


The war of words between the camps of the two People's National Party (PNP) Presidential candidates is threatening to turn ugly.

Things took a turn for the worse Tuesday night when Portia Simpson-Miller supporter and PNP Vice-President Emeritus and party Treasurer Roger Clarke declared that he is prepared to be fired from the Party for comments made on RJR earlier this week.

Mr. Clarke has been under fire from Dr. Peter Phillips' campaign team which has accused him of undermining efforts to unite the PNP.

<span style="font-weight: bold">On Tuesday, the Phillips' team wrote to General Secretary Peter Bunting calling for Mr. Clarke be disciplined for breaching the code of conduct for the presidential election.</span>

Mr. Clarke, who appeared on RJR's daily current affairs discussion programme Beyond on the Headlines on Monday, had warned of further division and more bad blood in the Party if Dr. Phillips proceeded with his challenge for the leadership.

<span style="font-weight: bold">The usually calm Mr. Clarke was on the warpath when our new centre spoke with him Tuesday night.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">He said he has been a member of the PNP for 50 years and is in a position to determine what is right from wrong for the Party</span>.

Mr. Clarke declared that he would not withdraw his statement and dared any member of the PNP to force him to do so.

&quot;If that is what they want me to retract tell them to fire me from the PNP, who can let them do it and those who are talking about that tell them about me and ask them what is their history in the party,&quot; he said.

<span style="font-style: italic">When elephants fight the grass dies</span>

Mr. Clarke insisted that his statement had not damaged the PNP and he was only speaking the truth on what is happening inside the 70-year old Party.

&quot;Regardless of what anybody wants to say a division is going to be perpetuated in the party because we saw what happened last time. I used an analogy to say when two elephants fight, the grass dies and in this instance, the PNP is the grass and the two elephants are el numero uno, the Party Leader, who is being challenged for the first time in our history in this way,&quot; said Mr. Clarke.

Members of the Party's Secretariat have refused to comment on the turn of events.

A senior official told RJR News Tuesday night that he was awaiting a copy of the transcript of Mr. Clarke's statement on Beyond the Headlines in order to determine the next move.

<span style="font-style: italic">Phillips should withdraw </span>

The PNP Secretary also publicly called on Dr. Phillips to withdraw his bid for the Presidency of the PNP.

Mr. Clarke said Dr. Phillips' challenge will only serve to destroy the Party.

&quot;I told him so and I'll say it to him again ... in the interest of the party (he should withdraw his challenge). I outlined to him in very vivid detail what will happen.

I have been watching what's been happening recently and it's obvious that some people want to silence others but I will not be silenced. I have to speak up ... this is my 50th year with the People's National Party,&quot; he said.

<span style="font-style: italic">Roger being disingenuous - Solid as a Rock </span>

Mr. Clarke is not the only senior PNP member adding his voice to the fray.

Member of the Phillips Campaign John Junor said contrary to Mr. Clarke's utterances on RJR's Beyond the Headlines on Monday, discussions took place about Mrs. Simpson-Miller's leadership of the PNP.

Mr. Junor said Mr. Clarke was well aware that members of the Party had expressed concerns about Mrs. Simpson-Miller's leadership.

&quot;There were many people including people in the Simpson-Miller camp who raised concern about issues of leadership and her conduct. I think that Roger is being disingenuous if that is the argument he's seeking to advance that there were no discussions internally on this issue.

If he meant that we didn't go to an NEC (National Executive Council) meeting or an annual conference to discuss this matter he would be correct but to say that there were no discussions and no disquiet expressed, would in fact not be true,&quot; said Mr. Junor.

He was speaking on Beyond the Headlines on Tuesday.

[Q3210]

Re: Tell them to fire me! - Clarke as PNP war heats up

The rotund Peter Phillips it seems is suffering from persecution complex. He sees himself as the elephant that Roger used in his metaphor.

If not Peter, it`s his team that thinks so hence their protests.

[evanovitch]

wat get me is dat is di Manley era, equality fi all set a

people who a draw class card fi oust my lady...mi try tawk to couple peep an ask wat bring bout di big change in dem behaviour an outlook an is like mi ha two head to rahtid...an mi was di labourite in di mix bak den..go figga

[evanovitch]

Stop the mudslinging– Phillips


Challenger for presidency of the People's National Party (PNP) Dr. Peter Phillips is moving to put an end to the mudslinging which has left the 70-year old organization in turmoil.

Dr. Phillips Wednesday night appealed to his supporters as well as those of his opponent Party Leader Portia Simpson-Miller to refrain from any further public brawls in the lead-up to the September election.

Dr. Phillips was addressing a group of supporters at the York Town Primary School in Clarendon.

His appeal came in the wake of a war of words between the two camps which intensified this week.

&quot;And I don't to undertake a campaign in which you're going to see air play where comrades vilify comrades and comrades telling all kinds of versions of untruths and misrepresentations against comrades ... make it stop!&quot; said Dr. Phillips.

No vote buying

He is also trying to quash reports that his campaign team has been engaged in vote buying.

Allegations have surfaced that members of the camp have been offering delegates up to $30,000 to vote during the election in September.

Dr. Phillips said the accusations are untrue.

&quot;I hear today a man who was as far I know with the (Jamaica Labour) Party a while a back, talk about my campaign paying people to vote, well hear me ... whether it's in my constituency or anywhere else in the country, I have never paid a comrade or any other Jamaican to exercise their choice ... this kind of nonsense must stop,&quot; said Dr. Phillips.

[DONOTvote]

Re: Phillips defends decision to challenge Portia

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think there is a great opportunity for a change to the failed, corrupt leadership of the PNP to be a voice for the many Jamaicans who see the current JLP Government becoming a Government that does not care about the Human Rights of Jamaicans and seems at sea when it comes to continuing the Industrialization of Jamaica which began in the 40s and was interrupted in the 70s and late 80s.

The problem is this challenge is merely a Palace Coup effected by the corrupt, genetically linked powerbrokers, such as Skeng Dong, Bunny Wizzy, the NWU, Danhai Williams and others, who feel that Portia did not do enough to secure dem food.

As such the always half-drunk failure Peter David Phillips is merely a ventriloquist dummy for the new monied class of the PNP. He is just another side of the worthless coin that is the currency called PNP Leadership.

Portia can win this fight, if she is prepared to fight. Clearly this Upper Class Brown Man vs. Chicken Back fight, the kind that is well known in the PNP. More delegates are on the Chicken Back side; her challenge then would be to use the group structure to defeat the alliance against her. She have to keep more group in compliance and appeal to them on the basis of the uptown vs. downtown dichotomy, that will expose itself in this challenge.

A true challenge would be a young,unconnected to the corruption, PNP Operative. I don't see where that is coming from now, but were I a number of young members in good standing, residing is Jamaica I would be looking to throw my hat in the ring.
</div></div>

Yes Mr TG that is a good analysis of a fight between corrupt dunce V.uneducated corrupt dunce !

[Tuff Gong]

P.Joke Mi nah vote!

<span style="font-size: 17pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">I'm not voting - PJ</span>
</span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Pat Roxborough-Wright
Monday, August 11, 2008</span>

FORMER prime minister and People's National Party (PNP) president P J Patterson says he will not participate in next month's election to determine who should lead the Opposition party.

&quot;I'm exercising my right not to vote,&quot; he told the Hanover Homecoming Committee Foundation's grand ball on Saturday night. &quot;You will hear nothing more from me on those elections after tonight ...Persons have entered the starting block, the race is on, so let it be.&quot;

Patterson's comments came a day before presidential challenger, Dr Peter Phillips, in a national broadcast, outlined his reasons for seeking the PNP's top job from incumbent Portia Simpson Miller. Phillips, a vice-president of the party, said his decision was influenced by his desire to advance the interests of Jamaicans and a wish to see the PNP &quot;revitalised and renewed&quot;.

On Saturday night, Patterson's comments didn't elicit any immediate discussion, probably because he avoided taking sides in the party's 2006 internal election to replace him after he had announced his intention to retire.

[url]http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080811T030000-0500_138925_OBS_I_M_NOT_VOTING___PJ.asp[/ur;l]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: P.Joke Mi nah vote!

Former Finance Minister supports Portia
Monday, 11 August 2008
Former Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies threw his support behind People's National Party President Portia Simpson Miller on Sunday night for the upcoming presidential election.

Mrs. Simpson Miller is being challenged by Vice President Dr. Peter Phillips in the poll set for September.

Speaking at the PNP's South West Clarendon Constituency Conference in Four Paths Dr. Davies poured scorn on criticisms from some quarters that Mrs. Simpson Miller was unschooled in some aspects of governance.

&quot;Nobody can handle everything in a government...Bruce Golding's downfall is going to come about because if you ask him about water, if you ask him about road he is the expert, if you ask him about sugar, he is the expert. There is no one who can handle everything,&quot; said Dr. Davies.

Dr. Davies also insisted that Mrs. Simpson Miller was in touch with the issues that affect most people.

&quot;My problem is, and this is the reason she not only beat me but all other contenders, is that she is sensitive about the real issues affecting people. My problem is that I have to see the numbers first and in November when I saw the numbers I called her and said ‘Sister P, you're right the price increases are affecting people,&quot; he continued.

Meanwhile in addressing the crowd Mrs. Simpson Miller appealed to her supporters not to engage in mud slinging.

She begged her supporters not to do anything that will damage the 70 year old party.

Meanwhile Former President of the PNP-YO and Opposition Senator, Basil Waite, has also thrown his support behind Mrs. Simpson Miller.

Mr. Waite says he will be taking a leave of absence from his duties at the Secretariat of the PNP to avoid any perceptions of a conflict of interest.

Speaking at Sunday night's South West Clarendon Constituency Conference in Four Paths, the former PNPYO president also bemoaned the party's inability to obtain adequate financing during last year's General Election Campaign.

<span style="font-size: 17pt">He questioned the renewed vigour in financing since the start of the presidential campaign.

&quot;A few weeks ago there was a news story about the PNP and a bounced cheque, so how can they find all of these millions to be running a campaign where were those millions when the PNP needed it? When I check the facts I can say in my mind there is no doubt that there is some other reason why they would want to remove the Comrade Leader,&quot; said Mr. Waite</span>.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/10688/26/

[Tuff Gong]

Re: P.Joke Mi nah vote!

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Threats of expulsion from PNP members impotent</span> - Pickersgill
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Chairman of the People's National Party (PNP) Robert Pickersgill is describing as total nonsense reports of threats being made against supporters of one of the candidates in next month's Presidential Election.

There were reports elsewhere in the media on Monday that supporters of Dr. Peter Phillips were being warned that they will be forced from the PNP if they fail to back Portia Simpson-Miller and return her as Party President.
However, Mr. Pickersgill said if the threats were in fact made they, should be ignored.

He told RJR News that the Party has clear rules which dictate the circumstances in which a member can be forced from the organization.

&quot;That would be an impotent threat as there's absolutely no provision in the Party to expel another member if in a democratic election that member choose to exercise his or her choice.

And in any case, the kind of vote is not by show of hands but by secret ballots ... no such thing will arise,&quot; said Mr. Pickersgill.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Nominations continue </span>

And senior officials of the PNP will be out on Tuesday monitoring day two of the nomination of Party delegates for the Presidential Election.

Mr. Pickersgill said he will be among those observing the proceedings.

The nomination of delegates from nine Corporate Area constituencies started on Monday at the Mico Practising School in St. Andrew.

There were reports of tension and arguments over the verification of some members.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">&quot;Of course there were little flare ups here and there because emotions tend to run high in matters of this sort but nothing untoward really, it went smoothly and will continue in other parishes throughout the week,&quot; said Mr. Pickersgill.</span>

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/10709/47/

[Tuff Gong]

Re: P.Joke Mi nah vote!

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Portia’s team names official spokespersons </span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Thursday, 14 August 2008 </span>

Team PNP, the group which is backing President of the People's National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson-Miller in the upcoming Presidential Election, is moving decisively to end growing tension and mudslinging in the campaign now in progress.

The group has restricted the number of persons who are authorised to speak on its behalf.

A statement issued Wednesday night by Team PNP listed 10 individuals who have been given authority to publicly comment on issues relating to Mrs. Simpson-Miller and the group.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/10795/47/

<span style="font-size: 14pt">PNP strong enough to withstand heated election? </span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Wednesday, 13 August 2008 </span>

Avid supporter of Dr. Peter Phillips' bid for People's National Party (PNP) President, Maxine Henry-Wilson says the party is stronger than any controversy it faces during the run-up to the Presidential election.

Responding to comments that Dr. Phillips might be forced to retire if he loses his Presidential bid, she said the party and her own political career will continue long after the elections are over.

&quot;The PNP wont die. I don't agree with the naysayers who say the party would be destroyed...The PNP is not the people at the top, it is all of us...but I think that our conviction would be so strong that we would find other ways of helping to ensure that not only our party develops but our country develops,&quot; she said.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson added that all conflict can be avoided if party members stick to the issues while on the campaign trail.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/10778/26/

<span style="font-size: 14pt">Fatty-Max roughed up!</span>

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[Tuff Gong]

PNP infighting continues

<span style="font-size: 14pt">PNP infighting continues</span>
<span style="font-style: italic">Monday, 18 August 2008</span>
In the midst of a rocky internal leadership campaign that appears to be getting even uglier, the Opposition People's National Party is attempting to retreat from the glare of public scrutiny.

The PNP's oversight committee is now moving decisively to bring an end to the growing animosity between the respective camps of incumbent Portia Simpson Miller and the challenger Dr. Peter Phillips.

More than a month ago, the PNP secretariat released a list of rules to guide campaigning ahead of the September 20 elections, as it tried to rescue its tattered political image from the grips of party strife.

The Robert Pickersgill chaired oversight committee spent most of Monday morning behind closed doors at PNP headquarters fleshing out numerous allegations of personal attacks and bribery from both camps on the campaign trail.

The outcome of the meeting has been suppressed as part of new measures to cool tongues and tempers.

Mr. Pickersgill told RJR news that the party will be putting the lid on public pronouncements.

&quot; We are not saying to the press what took place at the meeting, we have said to the press what will happen we have had the meeting and the matters are being dealt with internally whatever we want to say to the press we will say so by way of release&quot;, he said

Section I of the rules of engagement makes it clear that candidates and supporters who violate campaign rules will be publicly denounced and repudiated.

Now Mr. Pickersgill says this public display of discipline will not be enforced at this time despite signs of worsening tension and even threats of law suits.

And even as the party's internal oversight committee tries to restore order to campaigning, a vicious email has been circulating from a group calling itself <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Comrades for Change </span>telling delegates of alleged political misfortunes of the party's current president.

The email super imposes libelous statements linked to previous scandals including Trafigura and the Solutrea affairs which have shaken the previous PNP government.

Meanwhile, Spokesman for Dr. Peter Phillips campaign and VP nominee Harry Douglas disavows any links between the email and their presidential bid.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Portia on the war path</span>

Embattled leader of the Peoples National Party, Portia Simpson Miller went on the offensive Monday accusing her challenger, Dr Peter Phillips, of trying to divide the party.

Addressing party supporters at a meeting at the G.C Foster College, Mrs Simpson Miller said she was always aware of what she called &quot;the unrelenting passive resistance&quot;.

She said she was always aware of attempts to denigrate her.

The party leader said in the face of the hostility it was virtually impossible to ensure party cohesion as those opposed to her leadership repeatedly rejected her offer of unity.

The PNP President made it clear that after the September election she will no longer allow those opposed to her to continue their efforts to derail the party and stall her quest to move the PNP forward.

Mrs Simpson Miller argued that she has continued to offer the olive branch to her opponents to join Team PNP to move forward in unity.

She said if they refuse, then September 2008 will be a September to remember.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/10911/26/

[evanovitch]

Phillips’ camp distances itself

Phillips’ camp distances itself
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
The Peter Phillips led campaign is rushing to wipe away dark clouds of suspicion as rumours make the rounds in political circles about the latest below the belt trashing of &quot;TEAM PNP&quot;.

The &quot;Arise and Renew&quot; campaign which is challenging the incumbent PNP leader, went on the offensive Tuesday to remove any suspicion that it is behind the vicious e-mail.

The internal fight for control of the 70 year old People's National Party has made its way to the World Wide Web, where a venomous email has been making the rounds to discredit the rival Team PNP campaign.

Now, the &quot;Arise and Renew&quot; campaign has assumed a defensive stance as it distances itself from what it describes as a disgraceful electronic poster.

The campaign hastily issued a one page statement Tuesday morning repudiating the attack.

The unflattering poster dubbed &quot;more solid than a rock&quot; lists key members of TEAM PNP whose pictures are superimposed with libelous statements relating to several scandals that have embarrassed the previous administration and the political misfortunes of Portia Simpson-Miller.

Campaign strategist and Vice President nominee Sharon Hay Webster says the tactic is dirty and mudslinging will benefit no one in the party.

A peeved Mrs. Hay-Webster told RJR news that her campaign is not behind this latest attack and called for a clean and peaceful crusade leading up to the September 20 internal polls.

She reiterated that the Peter Phillips campaign is pursuing leadership ambitions to renew the noble principles of the party and wants all campaigners to rise above any acts that will divide the party.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Phillips’ camp distances itself

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Phillips’ camp distances itself
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
The Peter Phillips led campaign is rushing to wipe away dark clouds of suspicion as rumours make the rounds in political circles about the latest below the belt trashing of &quot;TEAM PNP&quot;.

The &quot;Arise and Renew&quot; campaign which is....</div></div>led by a half-drunk failed leader who is MHR from one of the most murderous Constituency in Jamaica, slightly less so than the failed Leader he is trying to replace

[evanovitch]

Phillips camp hits back

Phillips camp hits back
Thursday, 21 August 2008
A widely circulated pamphlet denigrating PNP Presidential hopeful Dr. Peter Phillips has drawn the ire of his &quot;Arise and Renew&quot; campaign team.

The team is snapping back at assertions made in the flier which among other things, question Dr. Phillips' loyalty to the party.

Just days after an unflattering email made the rounds on the internet attacking PNP president Portia Simpson-Miller and her team of key strategists, another dirty tactic has surfaced in the Presidential campaign.

This time, Dr. Peter Phillips is the target.

<span style="font-weight: bold">No one has claimed responsibility for the flier, which poses several questions highlighted in green, about his party loyalty and trustworthiness.</span>The pamphlet asserts there's a grand conspiracy to destabilise the PNP, involving several sub groups of Dr Phillips' &quot;Solid as a Rock&quot; Campaign of the last leadership race.

The flier also questions the political motives of financiers of Dr Phillip's bid for President.

Arise and Renew campaign strategists pointed the finger of blame at the incumbent's &quot;TEAM PNP&quot; campaign as the aggressors in this latest attack.

Spokesman Fitz Jackson says the rival campaign team is nervous and has resorted to desperate and irresponsible campaign tactics.

&quot;They have made unsubstantiated claims to sand individuals and of course to delegate the campaign of Peter Phillips and we see this as nothing more than a desperate attempt to gain sympathy by accusing us of things which are not substantiated,&quot; he said.

Mr. Jackson said the perpetrators should step away from dirty campaigning and instead make use of mechanisms that have been set up in the party to resolve differences.

However, TEAM PNP moved swiftly to disassociate itself from the libelous pamphlet.

Team PNP spokesman Angella Brown-Burke said &quot;we are neither nervous nor desperate something we would not be associated with at all and something if we were to see we would condemn.&quot;