The PNP has been showing even more signs of division since the leadership campaign ended on Saturday with Portia Simpson Miller being returned as president. A Gleaner team took to the streets of Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, and asked:
What should Portia Simpson Miller do to reunite the party?
Danny Willis, 47, businessman
The first thing Portia needs to do is to have a retreat with all the members and just engage them into what vision she has from this time forward, and see how much they will buy into it and then have a fresh start. I think this will work.
Keisha Howe, 35, unemployed
I think Portia needs to incorporate Phillips' members into what she is doing because a vast majority who voted for him believe in him. She needs to just put the differences aside and work together without any separation and this will unite the party.
Sherise Davis, 27, sales rep
I think Portia needs to communicate with the party members effectively and discuss the issues in the party and establish the fact that they are all one. She just needs to drop the feelings and work together to serve the people effectively. If she fires the Phillips' team, it will not work for the party; she just needs to forgive them and move on.
Kingsley Henderson, 42, security guard
I think Portia should get the members together again; the persons who are fighting against her being the leader should not be segregated. They should be brought up front in the party, as most of them are foundation and they all should start working together. She needs to just work hard to find out what is the problem in the party and try to attack it, then she can have togetherness in the party.
Duane Samm, 46, minister of religion
I think Portia needs to show a face of unity with the persons who split to support Phillips. She should incorporate them in everything and try to work together as much as possible. She can't do it alone though, so she needs to get help to come and help heal the wounds in the party so that they can work together for the betterment of the country.
Sheila Powell, 60, self-employed
I think Portia should try to talk to the members and find out what is the problem, why they want to split. Then she should get external help to try to attack the problem. She should get them to work together as one party without any grudge and just work in togetherness. After trying, if there are persons who don't want to work with her, then she should have them leave.