Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller (2nd left) listens to a point being made by MP Lisa Hanna while Phillip Paulwell (left), sitting in the seat usually occupied by the leader of Opposition business, and Dr Omar Davies peruse documents in Parliament yesterday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
THE Opposition People's National Party (PNP), rocked by the resignation of several of its key spokesmen in the aftermath of another bitter leadership contest, yesterday dissolved its Council of Spokespersons to allow party leader Portia Simpson Miller to name a 'new' team.
Dr Peter Phillips, who unsuccessfully challenged Simpson Miller for the PNP's top job last Saturday, was among the officials who sent their resignations to the party president yesterday. Phillips resigned his posts as Opposition spokesman on national security, and Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives.
He said, however, that he would continue to serve as MP for East Central St Andrew.
Yesterday, Phillip Paulwell, a close ally of the PNP leader and the MP for East Kingston and Port Royal, acted as Leader of Opposition Business in the House.
Simpson Miller promised yesterday that a new Council of Opposition Spokespersons will be appointed before the next sitting of the Parliament.
"The new Council of Spokespersons will reflect the thrust of the parliamentary Opposition to advance the progressive agenda for national development," a party statement quoted the PNP leader.
The Opposition leader, said the statement, "expresses her gratitude to all members of parliament who served previously as Opposition spokespersons for their contribution in these roles over the last year".
Phillips, a former vice-president of the party, served in the security, health and construction and works ministries under the leadership of P J Patterson. He was retained as security minister when Simpson Miller took over the presidency of the party in 2006 and later as security spokesman when the PNP was booted from office last September after 18 years in power.
Simpson Miller created history in 2006 when she won the PNP presidency over Phillips; Omar Davies, the then finance minister; and former water minister Karl Blythe in a divisive contest following the resignation of Patterson. She became the first woman prime minister, but was blamed for the PNP's loss in last September's general election.
In his letter of resignation yesterday, Phillips said: "I have yesterday, formally and in writing, advised party leader and leader of the opposition, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller of my continued commitment, loyalty, and love for the People's National Party and my desire to continue to work on behalf of this great and noble movement," said Phillips in his letter.
Phillips urged members who supported his presidential bid to give the party leader their full support, saying she "ought to be given a free hand to determine the composition of her team".
South St Catherine MP Fitz Jackson, and the man who managed Phillips' leadership campaign, also resigned from the positions deputy leader of opposition business, deputy spokesman on finance and the public service, and Opposition Whip.
Jackson said he was obliged to provide the party president with the opportunity for her to have full discretion in the formulation of the team with which she would work to take the PNP forward.
He, too, reaffirmed his commitment to the party as a faithful and loyal member and that he was willing to support the work of the party.
Maxine Henry-Wilson, a former education minister and key Phillips backer, asked to be relieved of her position of Opposition spokesman on education, science and technology, as well as her membership of the parliamentary committees on which she has represented the Opposition.
In congratulating Simpson Miller on her reaffirmation as president by the delegates, Henry-Wilson said it was in the best interest of the PNP for the president to have full discretion in determining her team that would take the party forward.
In a separate correspondence to the chairman, Robert Pickersgill, Henry-Wilson said that she would not be seeking election to any party position in the forthcoming internal elections.
On Monday, Dean Peart quit as the PNP's spokesman on local government and the environment, while Rosemarie Shaw, a former Jamaica Labour Party councillor and mayor of Morant Bay, said she would resign as the St Thomas Western constituency caretaker yesterday.
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