Dawn Ritch, Columnist

The first time Portia Simpson Miller took her seat in the House of Representatives as the Opposition Leader, I almost had a heart attack. I've watched her for almost as long as she's been in politics, and never seen her so confident, comfortable and happy.

I thought I must be mistaken. So, I watched the sitting, even though it meant I'd have to look at Bruce Golding as Prime Minister. But my interest was in her, and it annoyed me deeply to see her so happy in her new role. Naturally, I protested to her about it. She replied in Greek.

Since Simpson Miller lost the general election last September, she has been largely absent from the field. This is surprising from someone who told the country on the night of the loss, that it wasn't over yet. To be fair, she has instructed her party, the People's National Party (PNP), to pursue a number of electoral outcomes in the courts, and she, as Opposition Leader, sued the Prime Minister over the denial of natural justice to the Public Service Commission, a constitutional body. These matters have profound implications for the future of the country. But other than that, she hasn't said very much, or been seen anywhere.

Her actions are those of someone who intends to return to power, but her lack of visibility suggests the contrary.

During the past two weeks, she has been off the island, and during that time, it must be said that everybody in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Cabinet has been unavailable for comment on everything. It is as though the Cabinet, above all, the Prime Minister, has gone on holiday too. It took him four days to get down to his own constituency after a police-military invasion had left five dead in one house.

What could possibly have brought those five persons to come together in one house, in a location at which none of them resides? Who had they gone there to meet?

Green Bay

This reminds me of the time when JLP supporters from Central Kingston were all taken to a particular location - Green Bay - where they were fired upon. On that occasion, some of them escaped to tell the tale. This time, no one survived who could shed light on the reason all five met at one location.

What really shocked me was Mayor Desmond McKenzie's pronouncement that in carrying out that act, the police acted professionally. Is this shades of Green Bay, or is it the Braeton Seven?

But, I suppose this is all academic now because Bruce Golding is Prime Minister. All this happened while Portia Simpson Miller was not in the island. But Dr. Peter Phillips was quick off the mark, though not quite as quick as Mayor McKenzie, to commend the police on a job well done.

Last Monday night was the regular weekly meeting of the PNP parliamentary group. I understand it was anything but ordinary. They were trying to drum up support for Peter Bunting to be elected as general secretary, rather than Dr. D.K. Duncan.

The argument in favour of Dr. Duncan is that he is a good organiser and would be able to put the party machinery firmly in place and quickly. An early general election might be called as a result of an election petition which, if successful, would return Abe Dabdoub to the House of Representatives. On the other hand, Peter Bunting can bring to the table, they say, money, which the party sorely needs, more than another general election.

Indeed, some in the PNP parliamentary group are against the party pursuing election petitions for two reasons. The first is that if the party wins them, it will strengthen Simpson Miller's hand. The second is that they are afraid of a general election being called - an election for which they don't feel well-enough organised - as a result.

Behind the scenes, I am told that Peter Bunting has made an alliance with Dr. Peter Phillips. When the former becomes general secretary, they say, he will force a special conference to be held in March. It is expected that with Bunting steering the party organisation and the delegates, Dr. Phillips would challenge Simpson Miller at that time, and beat her, to become president of the PNP.

Throwing weight behind Bunting

On Tuesday, there was a meeting at Peter Bunting's, at which many PNP parliamentarians were present. Dr. Phillips and Maxine Henry-Wilson are throwing their weight behind Bunting. Henry-Wilson's daughter is one of his chief organisers.

But there is an agenda within an agenda. Bunting has presidential aspirations of his own. He knows he can't challenge Simpson Miller because he doesn't yet have the stature within the party. His backers in the private sector believe he can beat Dr. Phillips in two years' time, hence, the eagerness to start the clock ticking for Bunting's ascension to the presidency of the PNP by removing Simpson Miller in March.

They think it will be easy to unseat Peter Phillips, who is regarded by many as lacking the sobriety necessary for leadership at that level. Peter Bunting has, therefore, had promises of support from a number of PNP parliamentarians in his bid for the general secretaryship.

There is another agenda even within that agenda. Certain big financial backers of the JLP are prepared to give money to Bunting, on the basis that it would fuel internal division within the party. It seems that the oligarchy is prepared to use the same tactics to get her out, as they did with Edward Seaga. Removing Simpson Miller as leader, the private sector believes, will ensure that their protégé Bruce Golding, remains in power for a long time.

In the meantime, Portia Simpson Miller says nothing, does nothing, and she gives no signals. While the cat is away the mice will play. But she is a cat who sits quietly watching the mice at play, her tail flicking menacingly in the air.