The Editor, Sir:

The supporters of Portia Simpson Miller are using the last published polls showing the People's National Party (PNP) ahead of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as the basis to argue that the timing of Peter Phillips' challenge is bad.

In July of 2007, the PNP enjoyed a six percentage point advantage over the JLP and supporters of party leader quickly dubbed the advantage the "Portia factor". This was to have been the party's guarantee to the fifth term. However, between July 2007 and when the elections were held, the Portia factor suffered a cataclysmic decline and with it the PNP's fifth term vanished.

In addition, the handling of the Trafigura affair, the handling of the State of Emergency, the convolution of numerology and the election date, Hurricane Dean and the issue with the EoJ were clear signs of poor leadership and judgement.

Core support

Consequently, let me caution the supporters of Comrade Simpson Miller not to be carried away with the positive showing in the latest polls. This is not a resurgence of the failed 'Portia factor'. It is simply a showing of core support for the two political parties with the PNP slightly ahead. It is the remaining 38 per cent to 40 per cent of the electorate who will decide the final outcome of the election and they are influenced by question of leadership style and substance, among other things. They will also be influenced by who is better able to articulate a vision for Jamaica's future and show great knowledge of the complexities of running a modern society. It is not about being given a speech to read.

In the final analysis, Comrade Portia Simpson Miller has been tried, tested and failed. It is, therefore, an opportune time for the PNP to put its house in order and reposition itself as a true alternative to the cassava government.

I am, etc.,

ROBIN ST PETERS

robinstpeter@yahoo.com