Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Portia Simpson Miller expresses thanks to supporters and guests at the thank you/appreciation party hosted by Kenny Benjamin last weekend.- PHOTO BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
NOW, FIRST there was the promise of a hotly contested leadership race within the ranks of the Opposition JLP, but true to form, that lived up to expectation and fizzled like a damp squid. But not before leaving a very foul aftertaste on the tongue of most everyone, particularly those who engineered what they thought was indeed a palace coup!
Now, if anything, the PNP has demonstrated over and over again, that their eyes are always and consistently on the prize that prize being the holding of state power.
And when it came time for that party to make the transition from one leader to the next, this transition was effected in the expected rough and tumble associated with the political hustings, and an ungracious comment here and/or there, but not the bloods port and vitriol that could rend the party asunder!
Now, she was never the choice of the ruling and/or social elite, as Portia Simpson Miller, while
stiring the imagination of the masses, caused the ruling class as well as the establishment within the ranks of her own party to shudder at the very thought of her becoming president of PNP, and Prime Minister too.
Anyway, whatever the reasons, Portia Simpson Miller not only ran against the political establishment within her own party, she ran against the manifest prejudices of the ruling social elite, and on her own convictions and with the
support and goodwill of the
populace at large.
Her candidacy did, however, create a new dynamic in the political order, as well as nurtured a new sense of political tolerance and co-broking that portends good omens in our evolving political culture.
Last Saturday night, Kenny Benjamin once again opened up the portals to his Stony Hill estate, and this time it was to host a thank you reception for and on behalf of Portia Simpson Miller, for those who not only gave generously to the fund-raising effort undertaken by Benjamin on her behalf, but also for those who offered their support in many ways.
My darlings, it was a charmer of an occasion, and then some!
To begin with, there were many supporters of Mrs. Simpson Miller who, prior to the actual election itself, preferred to avoid the glare of the spotlight. They were, however, steadfast in their commitment and support of her candidacy, and with victory now theirs, this was their night out, for a victory lap, as it were, and dears, so it was!
Luvs, guests began arriving pretty early and for those expecting the 'usual suspects' they would have been sorely disappointed as indeed, this was a celebration with a difference, and then some!
Dears, it was an eye-opener and then some, the wagonists, and the now very chic group 'Labourites For Portia', they were all there, and it made for one marvellously groovy outing!
Doves, no political drama or standing on ceremony here, just a fine evening, made that much more so by charm and grace
exuded by Portia Simpson Miller, as she made the rounds, thanking as many of her supporters as she could individually; guests themselves doing the rounds.
And so it was, that in between the sips and spills, and a fabulous Indian fare, noted entertainer Lloyd Lovindeer, in his own inimitable style, rocked
the night, as he toasted and
celebrated her triumph.
It was, however, a fabulous outing, and a lovely way to acknowledge the many people of goodwill, who contributed to her attaining the nation's highest political office!
Those out, included: Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; Commerce and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; MP O.T. Williams; MP Victor Cummings; MP Richard Azan; Paul and Angela Burke; Canadian multimillionaire and owner of the Hilton Kingston hotel, Ron Kelly and his fabulous wife Bobby Kelly; Richard and Diana Stewart, of Stewart Motors; LASCO's Las Chin and wife Dr. Eileen Chin; Eddie Shoucair of Harrisa's; Dr. Badih and Cissy Shoucair; Janet Panton; Michael Campbell; Capt. Michael Lyn and his fab wife Thalia Lyn; Howard Hamilton; Chris Nakash and his fabulous wife Zein Issa-Nakash; Nathan Richards; Ian and Celia Levy; Dr. Carolyn Cooper; Dr. Henry Lowe; Valerie Juggan-Brown; Harold Brady; Laurie and Ruth Hussey owners of the Terra Nova Hotel; Richard Lake and the fabulous Lisa Hanna; head of the investment banking firm Dehring Bunting and Golding, Peter Bunting; Prakash Vaswani; head of KSA Engineers, Steve and Betty Ashley; Dr. Winty
Davidson; Richard and Jacinth Byles; Rae and Sharon Barrett along with his fabulous daughter Rachel Barrett; Steve and Karishma Khemlani; head of the JMA Doreen Frankson; Sameer Younis; noted broadcaster, actress/broadcaster Fae Ellington; Tanny Shirley; Mark Azan; Harry Maragh; and scores more.
