Concerns are mounting across the divide in the People's National Party (PNP) that long-time chairman, Bobby Pickersgill, is either not suited, or incapable of calming the internal conflicts which have battered the organisation, undermining its system of leadership.

At a time when the PNP is said to be in critical need of a comprehensive overhaul, Pickersgill is seen as ineffective, as he balks at upsetting members.

"This approach by the chairman has caused a great deal of consternation and has resulted in blame being traded out of sheer frustration by those who have had the experience of the 1980s, or have done the critical analysis as to what is required now," a well-placed insider told The Sunday Gleaner.

"It is the commonly held view in the party that although there are some concerns about the leadership style of Portia Simpson Miller, the greater ill resides in the approach taken by the present chairman. There is no paradigm shift in his approach or his understanding of the role of party chairman," the source added.

"In fact, some are saying that the PNP, under the leadership of Portia Simpson Miller, will not be able to re-brand itself unless Pickersgill comes to a clearer understanding of the change in dynamics from Government to Opposition, and from the 1980s to the 21st century," an outspoken member declared.

assertions dismissed

However, Pickersgill has dismissed assertions that he has been ineffective as chairman of the party, and has refused to grade himself in the post.

"I will never attempt to be a judge in my own cause. I am not in the habit of blowing my own trumpet, and self-praise is no recommendation," Pickersgill told The Sunday Gleaner.

Pickersgill is equipped with a wealth of experience. He is the only member of the current executive who has served under all leaders, from founding president Norman Manley, to Portia Simpson Miller.

He was elected chairman, following the presidential election of 1992, which catapulted former chairman P.J. Patterson into the position of president of the PNP.

"The concerns revolve around whether Pickersgill is capable of making the transition from the pre-Opposition period (prior to September 2007), to the present circumstances," a well-placed party source told The Sunday Gleaner.

Active party members contend that the role of the chairman in Government is different from that of a chairman in Opposition. "He must, if nothing else, be the guiding hand, jointly with the leader, in redefining and repositioning the party," another member argued.

"If one looks at the PNP in Opposition in the 1980s, it is clear that whereas Michael Manley was the philosophical guide, it was Patterson as chairman who was able to carry out the ideological repositioning with party structures, and to implement and translate Michael's philosophical positions into pragmatic programmes and policy decisions," the insider said.

"What you have now is a chairman who is of a holding nature, rather than one adopting a proactive approach to re-positioning the party," another insider commented.

Meanwhile, Pickersgill has signalled that he is up for a fight, but suggested that it could only take place when disgruntled members "divest themselves of that sort of cowardice and secrecy".

The chairman also said he was not about to engage in "shadow boxing". He challenged the party insiders questioning the efficacy of his chairmanship to come out from the shadows.

"It is clear what is happening ... . I don't deal with duppies. They know what to do. They need to come upfront," he said.

He added: "Those who you described as the faction of party insiders can only remain unanimous for a period of time. So we will see what we will see."

The PNP has been desperately searching for a remedy to heal the wounds which have left it debilitated, following a series of election losses, since 2007.

It is widely believed within the PNP that this perceived handicap has created a vacuum in leadership, which is being occupied by junior officers.