- File
Despite rain, delegates gather for a private session of the People's National Party at the University of Technology last September.
Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
THE 65TH annual conference of the People's National Party (PNP) kicks off this week with keen attention focused on the vice-presidential race.
At least five senior officers will be in the contest putting them in a strategic position for the race for president.
Another highlight of the four-day meeting will be the reorganisation of the party in several regions, as the number of delegates have fallen significantly.
"We have approximately 1,800 delegates this year, a significant drop from previous years," said Linton Walters, deputy general secretary in charge of administration. "That is why we are having a serious discussion on organisation".
According to Mr. Walters, a number of constituency groups have become almost non-functional and, therefore, not entitled to delegates.
The theme of the conference will be "Advancing Our Mission", a continuation of several issues started at the two-day National Executive Council (NEC) last month, Maxine Henry Wilson, General Secretary told The Sunday Gleaner.
These issues include the restructuring of the party, and amendments to the constitution to deal with organisation of the party. The four-day conference kicks off on Thursday, dubbed cultural night, starting at 7:00 pm.
On Friday, starting at 9:00 a.m., there will be the nomination of the vice-presidents and, on Saturday, the four vice-presidents will be elected.
The four incumbent vice-presidents are Dr Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security; Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government; Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture; and Dr Karl Blythe, former minister of Water and Construction.
They are joined by Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Development, whose entry was initially rumoured as that of a spoiler to force out Dr Karl Blythe. Dr. Robertson has, however, rejected these charges insisting he is a genuine contender in his own right.
