Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Prime Minister and People's National Party President Portia Simpson Miller acknowledges supporters on arrival at the PNP Conference at the National Arena yesterday. At right is Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

People's National Party (PNP) Campaign Director, Dr. Paul Robertson, announced yesterday that the party would be intensifying preparations for the next general election, immediately after the party's annual conference which ends today.

Dr. Robertson, who was speaking during the party conference at the National Arena, said the campaign team has been meeting with former PNP president and Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, to work out strategies for the next election.

Mr. Patterson arrived at the National Arena yesterday to resounding applause. He indicated that he, too, was ready for another election campaign, and he urged delegates to unite around party president, Portia Simpson Miller. "Any thing I can do to help Sister P be a healer of the breach I shall not hesitate to do. There is one leader and one party," said Mr. Patterson.

Weekly meetings

According to Dr. Robertson, the campaign team comprises deputy campaign directors Paul Burke and Danny Buchanan and campaign manager, Colin Camp-bell, who is also the party's general secretary. Dr. Robertson told delegates that the PNP campaign team would continue to meet weekly as the party gears up for the next general election.

He disclosed that three political hubs - eastern, central and western, had been established.

Yesterday the party also elected its four vice-presidents from a packed field of seven, but up to press time the names of the successful candidates were not announced.

The party's three-day conference ends today with a public session, during which party leader and prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller is expected to address delegates.