The People’s National Party’s (PNP) current state of affairs is in ‘miss-sorts’ for several reasons. Ever since losing February’s general election, all hell has broken loose, with fingers being pointed, stones thrown, and battle lines drawn.

Leadership

Subsequently, there have been bubbling springs of leadership contenders for senior posts; none more so than those for party leader and general secretary. Notwithstanding the Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller is expected to be on her way out — Or is she? — there have been clear calls from Peter Bunting for renewal of leadership, and he has signalled his intention for the top job. Simpson Miller is now 70 years old but she is not alone, as several Members of Parliament, including Robert Pickersgill, Omar Davies, Mike Henry, Pearnel Charles, are on the aged side. So she could stay on much longer. However, would this be a wise move for the development of the party, which has clearly failed to draw traction with younger voters?

The PNP has now found itself on the same side of the street that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was on for a very long time. With the JLP’s recent victory, however, there has been a marked shift in Jamaica’s political climate. If Simpson Miller’s detractors have their way, she will make a smooth transition later this year at the party’s conference, or early 2017. The problem is that the potential contenders are so many, and could leave the party worse off.

Identifying ideology

The PNP has found itself in exactly the same place where the JLP was at the end of 2011. Questions of its ideology are now being asked, and it’s the PNP’s turn to define or redefine itself. It is especially important as the next-in-line Dr Peter Phillips is coming from the socialist era, but he enacted capitalist-like measures during his recent tenure.

Pressure from the tax plan

If the JLP gets this tax plan right, and grows the economy above the meagre one per cent (40-year average), not only will the PNP find it difficult to galvanise its base, but it will have lost the “articulate minority”, who will become the majority in the next 10 years. Calls already abound to make Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Audley Shaw joint Men of the Year.

One thing is sure, the leadership of the PNP certainly has work to do. Apart from Simpson Miller, others in its hierarchy will face battle as calls are being made for their thrones, vice-presidents included. The individuals with leadership prospects include Peter Phillips, Peter Bunting, Philip Paulwell, Lisa Hanna and Julian Robinson. All these people have their enabling factors, as well as potential derailers, so it’s anybody’s guess as to what will be the outcome.

Additionally, others like Javette Nixon, president of the Patriots, have made certain assertions, or should I say made their opinions known. Just look at Damion Crawford’s recent comments via social media regarding Brexit: “I am sure David Cameron wishes he was a PNP right now, where it’s never anyone’s fault and no one resigns #PowXit.”

The JLP has resurfaced and surpassed the expectations of many to win the general election. The PNP needs to overcome these challenges if it is to once again be considered fit to lead.

Priesnell Warren is a financial services professional. Send comments to the Observer or follow him on twitter @priesnell.