Newsboyphil Reporting from Kingston, Jamaica

Portia Simpson Miller on Saturday defeated Dr. Peter Phillips by 237 votes in the PNP presidential race and is now set to succeed  Prime Minister PJ Patterson and become Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister since independence. Jamaicans at home and abroad are welcoming the news as a positive step for women. The results goes as follows, Karl Blythe - 204, Omar Davies - 283, Peter Phillips - 1538, Portia Simpson Miller - 1775.

The 60 year old Simpson Miller has been in representational politics for over 30 years, her political campaign stressed a desire on her part to unify all classes, improving the crime and socio-economic challenges that is currently gripping the island.

Jamaica Labour Party unfazed by Simpson Miller's victory
published: Tuesday | February 28, 2006

Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

PORTIA SIMPSON Miller's victory as president of the People's National Party (PNP) and Prime Minister-designate, has not shaken the confidence of members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The Opposition is still confident of a win in the next general election, which is constitutionally due next year. But political pundits are indicating that Mrs. Simpson Miller's ascendancy to the leadership post might just cement the PNP's fifth term in office.

"I do not see her popularity as a big problem, the whole Government has lost popularity," said Pearnel Charles, JLP Member of Parliament for north central Clarendon. "I don't know that within the next 15 to 20 months she will be able to make that difference."

Mr. Charles pointed out that there were still issues that the PNP administration needed to address such as crime and corruption.

More from the Jamaica Gleaner :

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060228/lead/lead...