On June 10, 2016 the Jamaica Observer published a politically stimulating, incisive and intrinsically interesting editorial cartoon by the indefatigable Sir Clovis vividly showing People’s National Party President Portia Simpson Miller at the top of a tree strenuously, vigorously and firmly holding on, with Lisa Hanna pushing the trunk of the tree , while Peter Bunting looks on.

Since being elected president of the party she has lost two national elections. Politically speaking, Simpson Miller, while serving as prime minister, did a poor job with managing poverty. Investment in Jamaica declined, while the productive, manufacturing and agricultural sectors all decreased in net output. The foreign exchange rate between the Jamaican and United States dollar lost value of some 40 per cent and Peter Phillips, as finance minister, imposed a cumulative gargantuan tax package of some $58 billion over his tenure, with no tangible, meaningful and economically constructive yearly economic growth. It can be described as widespread disaster.

Simpson Miller and Phillips didn’t outline any structured economic development and expansion plan for Jamaica while in Government and that’s why, before the last general election, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) 10-point economic development plan gained so much traction and monumentally influenced the majority of Jamaican voters to elect the JLP into Government. Since taking office, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Finance Audley Shaw and the rest of the Cabinet ministers have been outlining the required steps, measures and actions needed to get economic growth for Jamaica.

Sunday Observer columnist Garfield Higgins wrote a superb column entitled ‘Jamaica ready to bloom: Let corruption be a casualty of growth in this Government’. He is so correct. He stated that the JLP Government has made some interesting and correct decisions needed to achieve economic yearly growth and that several positive business expansion projects and investments are now unfolding throughout Jamaica, showing expansive faith, trust and confidence in this new Government headed by Holness and Shaw — a first class visionary, financial thinker and minister.

Simpson Miller has to now recognise her major failures and missteps and the need for a new person to be elected party president. She must, however, decide when to step aside as head of the party.

The astute and straight-talking Peter Bunting has demonstrated that he is able to assume the leadership reins of the party from Simpson Miller. I believe he is the best prepared. However, he should not challenge her for the party presidency until she has indicated that she intends to step down. He has spoken about the need to get robust and steady economic growth for Jamaica. He has a definite economic vision for Jamaica.

robertdalley1@hotmail.com