Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

Dr Peter Phillips has announced he will go head to head with Portia Simpson Miller for the presidency of the People's National Party. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Trade unionist Lambert Brown has warned that Dr Peter Phillips' bid to wrest the presidency of the People's National Party (PNP) from Portia Simpson Miller would pave the way for another electoral victory by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

According to Brown, a leadership tussle now was politically imprudent.

"There is lot of stupidity taking place in the country and I believe the contest against Portia Simpson Miller falls in that category and places the PNP on a road to committing suicide," Brown told The Gleaner.

"Divided opposition parties don't win elections, so the JLP can look forward to another five years in Government," he said.

Leadership challenge

Brown's comments come against the background of Sunday's announcement by Phillips that he would be challenging Simpson Miller for the leadership of the party.

Already, battle lines have been drawn and supporters have started to line up behind the two candidates for what many expect to be a bitter and bruising contest.

There are fears that the internal poll could leave the PNP in disarray, even as it keeps an eye on developments in the courts surrounding the dual citizenship dilemma, which could result in Prime Minister Bruce Golding calling an early general election.

Some political analysts believe the fight for the party reins would reopen old wounds, leaving the PNP divided and ineffective.

Troy Caine does not oppose the challenge, saying it was an inevitable development following the PNP's election defeats last year.

"If not now, then when?" Caine said.

Unsure of Portia

According to Caine, there are scores of delegates who do not support Simpson Miller and who do not believe she is the image that the party should project.

Caine argued that the PNP would not be guaranteed electoral victory if it remained in the hands of Simpson Miller.

He conceded, however, that the Phillips challenge could lead to further division in the party.

JLP Victory

"The JLP must be looking on with a lot of glee at happenings there (in the PNP)," Caine added.

University lecturer, Richard 'Dickie' Crawford, echoed that sentiment, but said he believes the tenor of the campaign would determine the scale of impact.

"If it is an above-board, modern campaign, free of the impact of money and unbecoming activities, the party can unite behind the winner, but a bad (dirty) campaign can further erode or divide the party," Crawford said.

The university lecturer, who was part of the team which reviewed the PNP following its 2007 election defeat, noted that Golding might use the opportunity to call an election and ensure another victory for the JLP.