PNP's Phillips tipped to head party's election machinery
Published:Wednesday | September 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
Chairman of the People's National Party (PNP) Communication Committee, Dr Peter Phillips, looks set to take up the position of campaign director.
It is understood that Phillips, still viewed as one of the most influential members of the PNP, has been approached to take up the mantle of steering the party's campaign machinery.
It is understood that the matter dominated discussions at Monday night's executive meeting.
Phillips yesterday adamantly refused to comment on the issue when contacted by The Gleaner.
"No comment," was all he would offer.
PNP General Secretary Peter Bunting was just as elusive.
"The party leader will make an announcement in relation to that post at the appropriate time," he said.
But word circulating in party circles is that discussions are well advanced as the PNP seeks to put its strongest force into action to wrest power from the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The buzz has even crossed the political divide into the JLP.
Phillips' resurgence, after stepping away from all party positions in the wake of the 2008 presidential election, has been a large part of the PNP's efforts to stamp its authority on the political landscape.
Both parties have failed to excite the bulk of the electorate.
General elections are constitutionally due in September 2012.
Phillips was twice defeated by Portia Simpson Miller for the position of PNP president, in 2006 when P.J. Patterson retired from representational politics, and again in 2008 when he challenged her for the top post.
The PNP has come under strong criticism from political analysts and observers over its failure to mobilise stronger support in the face of a series of misfortunes that have bedevilled the Bruce Golding administration over the past year.