My thoughts…on stuff

On February 25, 2006, a few hours after the PNP general elections, Jamaica’s new prime minister was announced. Before the announcement, the current prime minister, PJ Patterson, reminded the PNP that regardless of the results, it remains one party. The crowd fell deathly silent as he read the results. Out of 3,808 votes, Karl Blythe 204, Omar Davies 283, Peter Phillips 1,538 and Portia Simpson-Miller 1,775. Immediately Portia supporters burst into cheer, proudly waving their flags of yellow (the “Team Portia” colour). So at that moment, Portia Simpson-Miller became Jamaica’s 1st female prime minister.

She made her way through the crowd and up to the podium. With tears in her eyes, she delivered her speech. Firstly, she thanked God, then her supporters and campaign team. She reiterated PJ’s call for party unity and even went as far as embracing two of her competitors, Omar Davies and Karl Blythe. A wonderful speech in my view.

I’m a little disappointed that Peter didn’t win, but Portia was my second choice. And after careful thought, she really is the best of the lot. She’s the most popular candidate, she can cross party lines, she has a humble attitude, she’s spiritual and she’s seen as a caring person. She also led a terrific campaign. She should make a great prime minister, and maybe, just maybe, she’s the hope that Jamaica has been long waiting for. This is another in a growing trend, women occupying seats of political power. Liberia, Chile, Germany, and now Jamaica. Who knows? Maybe America will be next with Hilary Clinton? Ok, let’s not get carried away.