KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former People’s National Party president PJ Patterson today told members of the party at the PNP’s 77th annual conference at the National Stadium in Kingston, that it is time to heal.

Though not explicitly referencing the recent tensions that have been haunting the PNP with several sitting members of Parliament being faced with leadership challenges, Patterson called on the party to heal itself.

“This is a time to heal,” Patterson said.

He called for all to join party president and Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller and her administration in “making sure that we get together again”.

“Let us not tear ourselves apart, this is a time for love, this is a time for peace,” Patterson urged.

The former prime minister, who is Jamaica’s longest-serving prime minister, also charged that it is a time to win.

“This is no time to lose, let us pledge to work harder in full harmony and remember that whenever the trumpet shall sound, and the gate shall be unlocked, it will be a time for the PNP to dance,” Patterson insisted.

Patterson also spoke to the reputation that Jamaica has developed in the international community, insisting that “we are no longer pariahs”.

He said the right decisions have been made by the current administration, although they have been hard decisions.

“Rain a fall but dutty tough,” Patterson said.

However, he insisted that the country cannot afford to run the risk of having that reputation undermined by any administration in years to come.