Prime Minister P J Patterson announced yesterday that he had cancelled his planned tour of the island with his successor and placed a five-week deadline on his departure after a new leader of the People's National Party (PNP) is elected on February 25.

Patterson gave no reason for his decision, saying only "I have decided that that is not the best way of going about it, for a variety of reasons".

The four contenders for the presidency of the People's National Party (from left) Dr Karl Blythe, Dr Peter Phillips, Portia Simpson Miller and Dr Omar Davies hold hands in a show of unity at PNP headquarters in Kingston yesterday. Occasion was a function to confirm all the candidates. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

However, a highly-placed government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Observer yesterday that Patterson's decision was influenced by a concern to maintain public order.

"He basically doesn't want to stretch the resources of the police and is concerned that public disorder could affect the motorcade," the source said. "He didn't want the new party leader to begin their term with anything like that hanging over them."

Patterson had announced the motorcade at the PNP's 67th annual conference last September as one of two things he would do between the election and his handing over as head of government. The other was to introduce the new prime minister-designate to world leaders.

He did not address the second mission yesterday, and left for a Cabinet meeting immediately after speaking at a nomination ceremony at PNP headquarters in Kingston where the four presidential contenders were confirmed. The function was also used to ensure that there were no other nominations.

PJ Patterson speaking at yesterday's nomination ceremony at PNP headquarters. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

The four candidates - Dr Peter Phillips, Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Omar Davies and Dr Karl Blythe - pledged to support the party's declaration for an orderly and disciplined campaign and then made brief statements.
The ceremony started nearly one hour beyond its schedule due to the late arrival of Simpson Miller.

Just under 4,000 PNP delegates will choose Patterson's successor, bringing to a climax a very hectic and rancorous campaign that has divided the ruling party.

On January 22, in an attempt to end the infighting, Patterson insisted that the contenders and their handlers sign a code of conduct holding them to decency and decorum.

"It is not worth winning at any price," Patterson told the candidates at a meeting of the party's National Executive Council at the Jamaica Conference Centre where he announced the February 25 vote.
"I want to ensure that at the end of the process the PNP remains united and strong as it has been in the last 14 years," he said.

Yesterday, he again warned the candidates to ensure that their campaigns did not damage the party's unity and credibility.

He also made it clear that he did not intend to stay on as leader for more than five weeks after the election of the new president, and said that any delay in his departure would depend on to what extent his leadership skills would be needed to ensure the unity of the party at all levels.

Patterson said that during the period he would be working with the person chosen to succeed him in two distinct areas:
(1) to bring the party together as a solid, united force. This, he said, would take some time, skill and effort; and (2) as party leader, to share in the efforts at political transformation which were mandated at the party's 65th annual conference in 2003.

He said that the exact date for his departure would have to be determined in consultation with his successor, but would likely be in April.

"All of this has to be completed before the end of this legislative year, because at the Cabinet retreat we fixed a date for the new legislative year which, I suppose, can be modified slightly as the circumstances of the time require," Patterson said.

"One of the reasons why we want to have the legislature open in early April is so that the budget process can commence immediately. Experience has shown that the more we can bring the budget forward, the more we can get things done in the interest of the nation."

Patterson also used his address to assure his detractors that he had no thought of holding office beyond his planned departure. "I am really not seeking to prolong my time for one day longer than I have already determined," he said, "and I want to say that I am looking forward, more eagerly, to retirement than anybody in any quarter who can't wait to see the back of me. So nobody needs to have any fear."

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