The Fall and Rise of Portia Simpson-Miller

On the 20th day of September, 2008, the election for President of the People’s National Party was held at the National Arena.

The Peter Phillips camp was very certain. Speaking to each other, (as opposed to the masses) they had believed the rank and file of the PNP would elect Phillips over Portia Simpson-Miller.

Many persons who had been close to Portia had exhorted her to fire those who had campaigned against her in 2006. It was not to be a punishment, but a protection, for Phillips and his supporters actively disliked Portia and were more than insulting in how they described her. Many insiders spoke of “sabotage” so that Simpson-Miller was made to look bad because those she had relied on laboured to make her look bad.

As true as these things are, the fact was, she had not taken the necessary steps to guard her integrity. She was not surrounded by advisers of high caliber, she did not make herself aware of particular issues, and did not, when it seemed clear to everyone else, fire those who laboured to destroy her.

After the loss of the General Election, people assumed that Portia would appreciate it was not so much that Bruce Golding had won, but that members of the PNP had insured the loss so as to weaken Portia Simpson-Miller and to move in for the “kill”.

The point which no one seemed to notice was that people did not like Peter Phillips. He was unable to connect with the public, being a fairly poor speaker with a rather confused way of expression.

His closest supporter, Maxine Henry-Wilson was abhorred by the public as she was a cold, unattractive, presumptuous person who was incredibly paranoid.

Others who joined with Phillips had benefitted via Portia Simpson-Miller who had not, despite their rejection of her, been stripped of their posts.

Portia’s inaction, her “continuity” of P.J. Patterson’s cabinet, (save those who resigned because they could not work with her) weakened her, and ultimately caused her defeat in 2007.

Phillips, assuming that the PNP believed Portia caused their defeat at the polls, launched a challenge to her leadership.

Recognising only delegates could vote, he obtained the names of all registered groups, and had his minions do a search to learn which of them were in fact, inactive. Of these, he had persons “loyal” to him appointed delegates. He would pay the dues for these groups, assuming they would vote for him.

His minions created hundreds of groups, paid dues, and expected that the “paper” groups would not be discovered. Unexpected by the Phillips camp, many paper groups were discovered, and disallowed delegates. Some, however, slipped by.

The general public of Jamaica believed Portia would lose. She would lose, because she was not intelligent enough to understand the challenge, counter it, and that as the hierarchy of the PNP were behind Phillips, come the 20th of September, the PNP would have a new President.

As there had been many rumours of violence, security for the polling was so tight that it was remarked; “It is harder to get into the arena then to break out of General Penitentiary.”

Eye witnesses in the arena or its environs reported that at least 75% of the people were wearing Portia tee shirts.

When Portia Simpson-Miller arrived in open car, the crowd seemed 90% for her. The expression on her face became glorious for she had realised that although polling was going on, she had won.

After the polls closed the Phillips camp announced it had taken four out of six constituencies. This was broadcast over the media, despite the fact;

1. the ballot counting was in a locked room with a thick drape.
2. all cell phones were confiscated, and the scrutineers of both candidates, plus the PNP secretariat, plus the Electoral Office of Jamaica, permitted no one to enter or leave during the counting.

At eight p.m. the results were in; Portia Simpson-Miller had won; 2,332 votes to Dr Phillips’ 1,959. Phillips and his team did not wait for the official results, stomping out of the arena in bad humour. Portia showed a little more steel in her acceptance speech, much to the joy of her supporters. The questions, though, remain.

Will she be able to fire those who have made their dislike and disgust public, via speeches and emails? Will she fill the posts of advisors with those who can advise?

Will she reward her supporters instead of trying to “buy” her detractors?

If she can be a strong positive leader, she will likely become the next Prime Minister. If she repeats her gaffes of 2006/2007 she will remain the Leader of the Opposition.