THERE were no jubilant scenes yesterday in Portia Simpson Miller's South West St Andrew constituency. But one day on, scores of people in the depressed Kingston ghettos that Simpson Miller serves smiled easily as they recounted her triumph in Saturday's People's National Party (PNP) presidential poll.

GILLESPIE... says Simpson Miller will encourage men to support their children financially (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Men, women and children beamed with pride at the fact that their MP was slated to become Jamaica's first female prime minister.
Elaine Murray, a PNP delegate from Wellington Road in Whitfield Town, told the Observer that she cast her vote for Simpson Miller because the MP shows compassion for the poor.

"She always go for the poorer class people.she go for the old, she is for the poor and the children dem. She help wi wid the school fee, and all those things. She is a caring leader to everybody," Murray said.
Payne Land resident Oneil Fagan expressed similar confidence in Simpson Miller. "She knows what it is to be hungry," he said reflectively, as his friends nodded their approval.

"She love hug up and kiss. She run up and down wid wi. She love people, man. She's the best person to unify the party right now," he added.

An elated Carol Gillespie, also from Payne Land, said Simpson Miller regularly paid the utility bills of people in the community. Additionally, Gillespie pointed out that when her niece, Shaneika Anderson, was brutally murdered, Simpson Miller provided emotional and financial support throughout the period of grieving.

"She is so much better, 'cause when mi little niece dead, she was the only one mi see come around and do all them something deh. She a go mek wi get work, and man who nah mind them pickney, mi know she a go look out fi dat too," Gillespie added.

A more melodramatic Sherine Lyons related high-spiritedly that she sprinted half-dressed towards Spanish Town Road and clanged metal covers when news of the victory reached her.

"Portia wi want now, she know how to get de man dem to mind dem pickney. When mi hear seh a she win, mi run pon Spanish Town Road and shout, Portia, Father God!" said Lyons.
The endorsements were just as resounding in Majesty Gardens. Sherine Campbell said she celebrated by knocking pots together.

Another constituent, David Moffate, noted that Simpson Miller should be given a chance to prove her leadership abilities at the highest level. "Every woman needs a chance. All the years we a go through, a bear man a run di country. So we need a change."

Kemar Dennis, captain of the Majesty Gardens basketball team, said Simpson Miller has demonstrated competence in all ministerial portfolios she has occupied and would perform ceditably as prime minister.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!