Unity push with new PNP shadow Cabinet

The Mark Golding-led Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is seeking to bury years of internal strife with the expected installation of two key backers of the One PNP camp as vice-presidents.

One-time deputy Mikael Phillips, who recently declared his interest in reclaiming the vice-presidency, and Donna Scott-Mottley, according to Gleaner sources, could assume the positions in the coming weeks in a bid to unite the fractious party.

It is unclear whether their leadership bids will be uncontested.

However, there is uncertainty about who, among Ian Hayles, Eugene Kelly, Richard Azan, and Norman Scott, will be put aside for peacemaking.

General secretary of the PNP, Dr Dayton Campbell, would not confirm or deny the development when contacted by The Gleaner, noting only that the party is working to regroup.

“We’re bringing the movement together because we know that which unites us is greater than the things that try to divide us and that we do have a role to play in the governance of this country,” said Campbell on Wednesday.

Phillips, Wykeham McNeill, Phillip Paulwell, and Damion Crawford resigned en bloc from the vice-presidency last year.

But unity discussions under way are likely to eliminate the need for a poll in September at the party’s annual conference.

Phillips denied knowledge of the talks, noting that he is actively campaigning for the post.

“I haven’t brokered a deal with anybody,” he said.

Scott-Mottley could not be reached for comment.

Golding revised his shadow Cabinet late Tuesday with Natalie Neita-Garvey back in the fold and Crawford taking over as the new spokesperson on education.

The inclusion of Neita-Garvey, the member of parliament for St Catherine North Central, is being seen in the party as an effort to heal following the fallout over the general election loss in 2020 and subsequent internal fights.

The former Cabinet minister is now the spokesperson on local government, community development, and sports, as well as deputy leader of opposition business in the House.

Crawford will now cover education, training, and competitiveness, taking over from Dr Angela Brown Burke, who has been sent to labour and social security.

Other notable changes include Paulwell returning as leader of opposition business in the House of Representatives, replacing Anthony Hylton.

Scott-Mottley has kept the justice portfolio and will also take charge of information.

Her deputy is former MP Raymond Pryce.

Economist Dr Andre Haughton and Patricia Duncan Sutherland, losers in the last national polls, complete the trio of deputy spokespersons.

The changes are coming months before the party’s annual conference in September, where Golding is seeking to project greater levels of unity.

Hylton and Scott-Mottley are the representatives from the Opposition on the Government’s Constitutional Reform Committee.