THE ruling People’s National Party (PNP) has defended the prime minister’s use of a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) helicopter, which transports her to major points on the campaign trail from where she then goes by car, and described as “rubbish and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) desperation” the questioning of its usage.

“The prime minister is the prime minister and also minister of defence and at all times has the use of the helicopter when she goes on prime ministerial duties. And when the nature of those duties require that she uses the helicopter, she does so,” said general secretary Donald Buchanan.

He was speaking to the Observer during a campaign tour Thursday evening by the prime minister and PNP president in the Manchester North-Eastern constituency, which is represented by JLP spokesman on finance Audley Shaw.

Shaw is being challenged by PNP newcomer Paul Lyn.

Party supporters who had waited for several hours on the grounds of the Holmwood Technical High School in Christiana for Simpson Miller’s arrival, cheered loudly when the JDF helicopter carrying her flew across the grounds at 4:39 pm.

When the craft finally touched down at 4:48 pm, an even louder roar went up and the supporters had to be restrained by security personnel from running towards the helicopter.

PNP personnel, who were in earshot when the Observer posed the question on the use of the helicopter to Buchanan, were incensed and insisted that it was a non-issue.

“The facility is available to all of the country’s prime minister. those before and those who will come after. Why was there no queries when it was used by (Shearer) Hugh, (Seaga) Edward and Michael Manley who used it more than anyone,” Buchanan insisted.

“It has always been the case for all prime ministers. But the question has to be asked is it because she is a woman and she is poor people pickney why it is now an issue,” he queried.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) first raised the issue nearly a month ago when Simpson Miller toured sections of St Mary, before having a mass rally in Annotto Bay. The Observer was unable then to verify if the Prime Minister had arrived by helicopter then.

Other PNP supporters asked if the prime minister was expected to sit in traffic for six hours to carry out her functions, while others insisted that “PNP supporters would never envy, query or grudge any JLP prime minister’s use of the helicopter and never would”.

Meanwhile, the tour took supporters to deep rural Manchester in the largely farming communities of Devon, Harry Watch, Norway, Bigwoods, Doncaster, Pike, Zion Gate, Mizpah and others.

The motorcade displayed one of the finest examples of political campaigning with supporters of both sides meeting on at least five occasions, shouting “power” and “shower” but was without incident.

The interceptions were met with laughter and friendly goading with comrades moving on and labourites going back to their homes.

But while it brought out the best of political rivalry, it also showcased the worst in driving with reckless manoeuvring on the roadway and scores of body protrusion by supporters. The reckless driving resulted in a major accident, which saw two cars being substantially damaged as they raced towards Christiana. Both cars, with about eight supporters, were heading in the same direction.

There were also two other minor collisions involving campaign vehicles.