Dr. Peter Philips becomes PNP president today

Dr Peter Phillips is to assume the post of president of the People's National Party (PNP) on Sunday.

Phillips, 67, will formerly take the role at a Special Delegates Conference to be held at the National Arena.

Phillips, who will become the fifth president of the 78-year-old party, was unchallenged for the post and will replace Portia Simpson-Miller.

He will then take up the role as Opposition Leader next week.

He previously contested the post of PNP president twice...the first in 2006 when he was in a field of four candidates to replace the then retiring PJ Patterson.

He was defeated along with the other two by Simpson Miller.

He then challenged Simpson Miller for the post in 2008 - but was defeated again.

His ascension to the top post of the PNP follows Simpson Miller's announcement last December that she will not be seeking re-election as PNP president this year.

All in place for conference

PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson, says all is in place for Sunday’s Special Delegates Conference.

“I think there is an expectation – one to see the current leader – this will be her final conference as leader and for that hand over to take place to Dr. Phillips. I expect a large numbers of supporters and comrades to be out on Sunday   - and for many who want to say thank you and goodbye to our comrade leader, Portia Simpson Miller.”

He says the mood among PNP supporters has been one of optimism over the future of the party.

“Comrades feel now is a time to unite. There are significant challenges facing the country. They feel that a united PNP will be a strong opposition and can challenge the government in areas that are necessary to ensure that the poor are protected and that the gains that have been made over the four year period that we were in office were not squandered under political expedience,” he said.          

Unwarranted concerns

The PNP General Secretary also dismissed concern among some quarters that Phillips may not have been the right choice to lead the PNP at this time.

Some PNP supporters have privately expressed concern that Dr Phillips may not be vibrant and energetic enough to challenge his younger JLP opponent.

However Robinson says the concerns are unwarranted.

“The reality is that there was somewhat of a consensus in the party that Dr. Phillips is the best person at this time.  I think age is a number. People bring different things to the party; he has a lot of experience. He leads a team – a team that is comprised of younger persons who have the energy – and I don’t doubt that he has the energy.

We are a team, he leads that team…..a strong united People’s National Party can’t be beaten.”