Dr Karl Blythe yesterday appealed to People’s National Party (PNP) delegates to elect him president of the Opposition party, saying that his challenge to Portia Simpson Miller was aimed at protecting democracy within the party and creating an atmosphere for renewal in the political movement that will mark its 78th anniversary at September’s annual conference.

“By now, you would be aware that I am a nominee for the position of president of our prestigious party,” Blythe stated in a letter to delegates which he released to the media. “This has become necessary due to the rapid decline in the democracy within the party, resulting in Comrades who dare to have a different point of view from that of the leader being subjected to intimidation, verbal abuse, social media abuse, and victimisation. There is now a real need for renewal in our party.”

Blythe, a former Cabinet minister and PNP vice-president, submitted his nomination to the party last week. Yesterday he reiterated that he intended to serve as an interim president, during which time he would lead the renewal process in keeping with calls from inside and outside the PNP after the party lost the February 25, 2016 General Election to the Jamaica Labour Party.

“My mission is to be interim president while we create the atmosphere within the party to bring about that much-needed renewal, whereby Comrades can once more feel free to express themselves in any forum of the party and be heard, respected, and not be subjected to any form of abuse,” Blythe wrote. “I want, and I am sure all well-thinking Comrades also want our party to return to true democracy as guaranteed by our constitution and founding fathers.”

He said he hoped it was clear to all Comrades that his move was not driven by self-promotion. Rather, he was simply answering a call to protect democracy within the party, he said.

“I therefore call upon all Comrades (locally and in the diaspora), especially the delegates who may already be supporting the Comrade they believe is best suited to carry through the renewal process, to cast their vote for me, as interim president,” Blythe wrote.

“As interim president, I would invite the Comrades who are truly interested in leading the party and taking it forward into the renewal process to come together, take to the road, consult and discuss their plans for moving forward with Comrades in their group meetings, and with the wider community members. Thereafter, a date would be agreed on to hold elections to select the new president, who will then have the mandate to take the party through the renewal process and beyond. I will then step aside, having completed my mission,” he said.

Blythe said he would make himself available for one-on-one discussions with any delegate needing clarification of this renewal mission, in order that they could be informed “and in a better position to make the right choice on behalf of the Comrades you have been chosen to represent”.

He said he intended to continue campaigning in a respectful and dignified manner, and urged all supporters to do likewise.

“The trumpet is sounding, let us answer the call to renew and strengthen the People’s National Party so it becomes a vibrant and viable alternative to the present administration,. Jamaica is depending on us,” Blythe said.

The presidential election will be held at the annual conference.