KINGSTON, Jamaica – Political analysts are surprised by Lisa Hanna’s decision to quit representational politics and believe it does not augur well for the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

Hanna handed in her resignation letter to Opposition leader, Mark Golding, explaining that she will not make herself available to run in the next General Election.

Analyst, Kenyatta Powell, argued that Hanna’s surprise resignation is indicating that something is not quite right in the PNP.

“I think what her resignation indicate is more turmoil in the People’s National Party. Yes, she lost the leadership challenge, but she is still a sort of front line leader within the People’s National Party, and you don’t have a front line leader just resigning out of the blue just so if everything is fine,” Powell charged. “It’s surprising, especially since there were no indications at all. She gave no hint that she was about to resign or even if that was a contemplation.”

Fellow analyst, Kevin O’Brien Chang, agreed with Powell that Hanna’s resignation has highlighted the frustration within the PNP.

“She is probably frustrated with the PNP, the lack of unity and the lack of common sense. If you are a part of the PNP you must be disappointed with the direction of the party. It’s just a lack of common sense, you’re not seeing it and you get frustrated eventually,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Hoping Hanna would return, Chang said the resignation is also not good for Jamaica.

“We need people who are interested in the country and whatever her flaws, she has shown good interest in our country. Many people in her situation just want to go party and live life and all that. Whatever her criticism, she has been a patriot, and there are not many patriots around. Maybe she will come back one day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Paul Ashley said people will demand answers from the PNP. “This cannot be a good thing for the opposition leader. I think the public will demand that some clarity is given to this decision. I think the PNP General Conference is scheduled for September (next month), and to quit now it’s very strange, very strange. I think the opposition leader will have to give some clarity to the situation or Lisa Hanna herself. It is something that is critical. Why now, what has happened?” he asked.

Ashley believes something critical must have happened for Hanna to leave. “She was writing in The (Jamaica) Observer on a weekly basis, dealing with international relations and foreign affairs in particular. It comes as somewhat of a surprise that she has quit representational politics,” he added.

– David Dunkley