In a bid to hold her party together, in the midst of a potentially divisive challenge to her leadership, Portia Simpson Miller yesterday called on officials of the People's National Party (PNP) National Executive Council (NEC) to preserve the integrity of the 70-year-old organisation.

Simpson Miller is being challenged for the presidency by her senior deputy, Dr Peter Phillips, whom she had previously defeated in a February 2006 four-man contest to succeed P.J. Patterson.

Addressing members at a meeting of the party's NEC at the University of the West Indies, Mona, yesterday, Simpson Miller said that the party had not been enjoying "the best of days in the media".

She admonished colleagues that "regardless of how high the stakes are, let our democracy be based on principles and be guided by honourable actions. Let us conduct ourselves in the highest traditions of vibrant internal PNP debate and put the people and the PNP first at all times".

not preside over destruction

Simpson Miller said she would not preside over the destruction of the legacy of the party's former leaders, Norman Manley, Michael Manley and P.J. Patterson.

"I place my life on the line to protect these legacies," she stated. "So, I am calling on all leaders, at every level of the party, to display leadership. We have no choice. We must preserve the PNP."

Simpson Miller said while the party lost both the previous two national elections, the party had nothing to be ashamed of and encouraged Comrades to rebuild for the future.

"Look at us Comrades. In less than nine months after losing the closest election in our history, one poll shows us ahead of the Government," she said. "The Jamaican people are not done with us. We owe it to them to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of a government in waiting," Simpson Miller added.