ST ANDREW, Jamaica – With a new mandate, People’s National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson Miller is calling for unity in the embattled party, following yesterday’s presidential and vice-presidential elections.

Simpson Miller, while speaking at the public session of the party’s annual conference at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College High School in St Andrew, told Comrades that the elections have concluded and “the real work must now begin”.

“…This is not a time for bragging and boasting. …It is a time for building bridges to work for a better PNP and Jamaica,” she urged.

“In the same way we are united in good times we must be united in bad times as well,” she added.

At the same time, Simpson Miller said, on reflection, a disorganised PNP election machinery cost the party to lose by one seat in the February 25 General Elections.

“We made some mistakes on the organisational side. We did not communicate with the people on the ground [effectively]….despite my warning,” she said.

Simpson Miller insisted that members of the party must take collective responsibility for this defeat.

“Let us practice collective responsibility,” said Simpson Miller.

“I also take, seriously, my responsibility to positively lead this party into the new political season,” she added.

The PNP leader urged Comrades at the same time, to be vigilant and prepare for imminent Local Government Elections.

She said while the party has no control over when the election will be called, Comrades must be “prepared, smart and strategic” in the meantime.

“We must effectively explain the party’s principles to the people,” Simpson Miller said.

Kimone Francis