Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller in prayer. -Photo by Monique Hepburn

IT WAS not too long ago, 529 days to be exact, that Portia Simpson Miller for the first time sat in the seat reserved for Prime Ministers at Jamaica House.

Norman Manley (premier), Sir Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster, Hugh Shearer, Michael Manley, Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson all preceded Mrs. Simpson Miller as head of government, and may have sat in different chairs.

Time is up for Mrs. Simpson Miller, whom a majority of the Jamaican electorate last week Monday decided should be sent packing. Her press secretary, Lincoln Robinson, said she has already moved out.

"She has already moved her personal stuff. The office is now being prepared for the new Prime Minister," Mr. Robinson told The Gleaner yesterday.

Led PNP to election defeat

Last Monday, Mrs. Simpson Miller led the People's National Party (PNP) to their first general election defeat since 1989. The PNP gained 27 seats in the 60-seat House of Representatives, while the Bruce Golding-ledJamaica Labour Party (JLP) won 33.

Three days after the defeat, Mrs. Simpson Miller met with her Jamaica House staff and thanked them.

"She expressed her thanks to the staff for the support which they have given her during her time as Prime Minister," Mr. Robinson said.

He added that Mrs. Simpson Miller "encouraged them to continue giving of their best in the service of the country".

It is expected that politically appointed staff at Jamaica House will follow the former Prime Minister through the gate.

Mrs. Simpson Miller took the oath of office as Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister on March 30 last year after beating Drs. Omar Davies, Peter Phillips and Karl Blythe in a bruising presidential race to replace Mr. Patterson.

Honoured to have served

In a statement yesterday, Mrs. Simpson Miller said she was honoured to have served as Prime Minister.

"As I take my leave from office after serving as your Prime Minister for the past 17 months, I feel compelled to share with you a few thoughts from my heart.

"I do so with humility and confidence because you, the Jamaican people, have indicated that this is a new time in the history of our country. Tomorrow, a new Prime Minister will be sworn in and a new chapter will begin for our beloved nation. I offer my congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister-designate Bruce Golding and the new administration that will be installed to guide the affairs of our country.

"I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the unprecedented opportunity that I was given to serve my country as leader. It was an honour and privilege to have served as your Prime Minister and, on behalf of the administration which I led, I would like to thank all who contributed to the conduct of the nation's business during our time in office," the statement said.