KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Leadership of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) says party leader and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller continues to enjoy the backing of the party.

A statement issued by the PNP on Friday said, “The leadership of the People’s National Party emerged from the candidates and campaign managers retreat united in our confidence in the leadership of party President Portia Simpson Miller and the administration she leads with respect to the management of the Economic Recovery Programme and the affairs of state generally.”

Several polls conducted recently have indicated that Simpson Miller has lost a significant amount of favourability with citizens.

The statement said the party’s confidence is bolstered primarily by the significant reduction of the National Debt; the reduction in Inflation which now stands at the lowest in more than 30 years; and the full return of Investor, business and consumer confidence in Jamaica and to the economy.

“These achievements are due to the significant sacrifice of the Jamaican people,” the statement read.

It said for many years, Jamaicans have affirmed the need for bold and decisive leadership and that Simpson Miller’s administration reflects that.

“It is to her credit that despite the challenges still faced, we have maintained an unmatched level of social cohesion – well beyond the situation that exists in other countries undergoing a similar recovery programme. For this, we thank the people of Jamaica, the public sector workers and their families for their investment of confidence in the administration,” the statement said.