Monique Hepburn, News Editor
People's National Party presidential aspirant, Portia Simpson Miller embraces an emotional party supporter after she was presented to delegates during a conference at the Montego River Gardens in Porto Bello, St. James, on the weekend. Scores of delegates were present to register ahead of upcoming PNP presidential elections, on Saturday, February 25. - PHOTO BY MONIQUE HEPBURN
WESTERN BUREAU:
SCORES OF Western Jamaica's business and community leaders converged on the Montego River Gardens on Saturday for a special delegates' meeting with People's National Party (PNP) presidential aspirant, Portia Simpson Miller.
In what was an emotionally-charged meeting, delegates, party officials and members of Team Portia paid tribute to the woman whom they say is destined to be the next prime minister.
DETRACTORS DETRACTORS
Notable among them was Lloyd B. Smith, publisher of the Western Mirror, who admonished Mrs. Simpson Miller's detractors and pledged his support of her leadership ambitions.
"I want to say that I am in your corner!" Smith declared to the crowd. "I have to be in your corner because if Marcus Garvey were here, he would be in your corner. If Paul Bogle were here, he would be in your corner and if Sam Sharpe were here, he would be in your corner, so I have to be."
After a tumult of cheers, glowing tributes and pledges of support, the time came for Mrs. Simpson Miller to speak. Before starting her presentation, she paused for the playing of the Grace Thrillers' gospel song Can't Even Walk. By the time the first strains belted from the speakers, scores of persons walked up to her from the audience, many with tears in their eyes, and embraced her.
Clearly swept up in the moment, one man went up to Mrs. Simpson Miller and cried in her arms, testifying that she has been sent by God to lift up the poor and down-trodden in Jamaica.
"I thank those of you who are firm with Team Portia and those of you who are not on the train, that is how it should be, comrades meeting without any animosity," said Mrs. Simpson Miller in her address.
She reinforced the need to maintain good relations with supporters of other aspirants.
"Never ever bad mouth any of the others. All the contenders are my brothers and my friends and they are noble comrades," she said. "We do not have to tear down any of the other contenders to sell me."
Mrs. Simpson Miller told the gathering she is the best candidate for the position and that her detractors oppose her candidacy because she has emerged from the poorer classes of society.
