The Editor, Sir:

The recent shenanigans of the People's National Party (PNP) have left me worried about its future. For years, we have boasted about its clinging to democratic principles and its ability to manage internal differences. All that seems to have changed with the Peter Phillips challenge for leadership. It is now clear that some people believe when a president is elected it is for life.Only the president can determine when a vacancy exists, which makes the annual declaration at the annual conference of a vacancy at the level of President a mere farce.

Flawed judgement

My party will and, perhaps, should remain in Opposition for a long time if officials believe that they are entitled to hold office for as long as they wish. How will there be renewal?

In my view, Comrade Portia Simpson Miller's judgement is so flawed that such a decision about her remaining as president cannot be left to her without disastrous consequences for the party. My party president has not shown the requisite judgement, leadership skills and capacity, and her decisions not to step aside or at least to have offered her resignation, after losing two elections, are flawed.

Good luck, Peter. It can't be difficult to do better than Portia. One request. Please, remember it is the People's National Party not Portia's National Party, as it was in the last election, and must not be Peter's either.

I am, etc.,

JONATHAN GRAY

Savanna-la-mar

Westmoreland