KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party affiliate, The Patriots, believes that it is time for party leader Portia Simpson Miller to demit her post and has called on the former prime minister to “…set, and publicly state, a firm timetable for departure”.

The group said in a release yesterday that the party urgently needs to undertake a programme of renewal following the recent election defeat, and in view of concerns raised in the post-election appraisal report. 

“That begins with a change of leadership,” the Patriots said adding that “It is evident that the call for renewal is not being taken seriously”.

The group suggested that if Simpson Miller fails to set a timetable for departure, “…delegates to the 79th Annual Conference of the People’s National Party should be afforded the right to vote, in secret ballot, on the continuation of her leadership as party president”.

The call comes after Simpson Miller, who is in her 10th year as president of the party, expressed her desire to continue as president after the party’s annual conference in September.

Read:Portia says she won’t stay forever but will seek re-election

Simpson Miller, since leading the 77-year-old party to defeat in the February 25 General Election against the Jamaica Labour Party, has come under severe pressure to hand over the reins of the party.

The Patriots said it recognises the tremendous contribution that Simpson-Miller has made to the PNP and to Jamaica. 

“However, as we have communicated to the General Secretary and Chairman previously, we believe the time has come to embark upon a programme of renewal, including renewing the structures, affiliate groups and leadership corps,” the group said.