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STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN PRESS CONFERENCE 2011 SEPTEMBER 14
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media welcome and thank you for accepting our invitation to this Press Briefing.
It is customary each year to ask you to participate in this Pre-Annual Conference Press Briefing. As you know the Annual Conference is the highest decision making body of the People's National Party. For that reason alone it is the most important activity in the Political Calendar and one that is required by our Party's Constitution.
This year, the 73rd Annual Conference, is particularly important. It occurs 15 days into the fifth and final year of the Golding Administration. It is a period that will go down in our country's history as a most disappointing and unremarkable experience; and one that is typified by many firsts. Unfortunately these are firsts and records which most in the country have agreed we would best have done without.
Whether it is the ranking by Forbes Magazine that Jamaica has one of the five worse economies or the most recent publication of the Global Competitiveness Report which places Jamaica at the bottom of the heap.
Our international partners and independent organizations such as the Centre for Political and Economic Research in Washington the prevailing opinion is that the Golding Administration has been woeful in its handling of the Economic Affairs of the State.
The record with respect to Governance has also been abysmal. Well does the country recall the shenanigans in which the Government engaged to frustrate the Extradition of Christopher Coke. An episode made more horrific with the information that is now public and contained in the Guilty Plea of Coke himself. In fact, there is hardly an area or a sector in National life where the record of the Golding Administration is laudable.
While many may find it hard to resist the temptation to say these comments are mere political propaganda, they would have to ask themselves whether entities such as the IMF, the World Bank, the Credit Rating Agencies, the US Justice Department or any other such source are engaged in spreading political propaganda against the Administration.
A suggestion that is all the more incredulous as every Jamaican will reflexively and conclusively agree that as a country we are worse off now than we were four years ago!
It is against this background that Delegates will gather at the Jamaica College Auditorium for the Private Session where the General Secretary will hold centre court to review, deliberate upon and determine the work programme concluded up to this point and the steps that must be taken as we emerge from the Annual Conference into a year where National Elections are now due. The significance of this is not lost on any of us; as it is also the first time in twenty-two (22) years that General Elections will be called by someone other than the President of the People's National Party.
We therefore do not know when the hour or the day will be. We must therefore be in a state of advanced preparedness to attain Victory on the people's behalf.
Recall therefore that between July 23rd and 24th we met for the Annual 2-Day NEC. At which time reports were received from all Commissions, Arms, Affiliates and Organs of the Party and were deliberated.
At the Private Session of Conference the General Secretary will therefore provide a detailed report on the organizational health of the Party, the stewardship of the Secretariat and to put bluntly our state of readiness ahead of national elections which are now due. Without apology therefore and; as is evidenced in the theme for Conference:
PNP….Progressive, Strong and Ready! We will attune our efforts at the Conference to ensure that once Elections are called, the People's National Party will through an electoral victory bring an end to the Tyranny of the Golding Administration. AGENDA 73rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PARTY “PNP - PROGRESSIVE, STRONG & READY”AGENDAFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 DAY 1 7:00pm - Evening of song - PNP Headquarters SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 DAY 2 - JAMAICA COLLEGE 9:00am REGISTRATION PRIVATE SESSION - 10:00am Devotion (15 mins) 10:30am Chairman's Opening Remarks 10:45 am Resolutions 11:45 am Election of Officers 12:00 noon Setting the tone - Party Leader 12:15 pm REPORTS
2.30pm L U N C H4:00 pm Cde PJ Patterson 4.30 pm Cde Party Leader ADJOURNMENT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 DAY 3 9:00am - 10:00am Praise and Worship (TBC) PUBLIC SESSION - 10:00 a.m.
10:30 am - 10:40 am Chairman's Opening Remarks 10:40 am - 11-20 am Greetings from Affiliates & Overseas delegations 11:20 am - 11:35 am General Secretary's Report of Private Session 11:35 am - 12:15 pm FUNDRAISING - Cde Roger Clarke (TBC) 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 pm PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL CANDIDATES 2.15pm - 2.30pm Introduction of Party Leader - Cde KD Knight 2:35 pm - 3:20 pm Party Leader's Presentation We know that each year there is great interest with respect to the Budget for Conference. We note as well insinuation in the media that there may be difficulties in raising the funds required to finance the Conference.
This is not a new challenge for us, because unlike our political competitors we have never been awash with cash. Instead we always rely on the good contributions of Jamaicans and their kind and well placed support in our efforts. This year will be no difference. One thing is for sure though; unlike the JLP; not only can we cross it - but more importantly we can COST it!
In conclusion, and just to be clear we enter the Annual Conference and the imminent Election Campaign with one mission ahead of us.
That mission is to remove from office a Government that is deep in default. Of necessity we will look at all relevant national issues including the Tax reform Agenda, the IMF Agreement, the declines in the Social Services Sector and what has been proven to be a most scandalous abuse of State Power for Partisan Political Interest - euphemistically referred to as the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.
It is for that reason why we also have participating in today's Press Conference my Comrade and Colleague Omar Davies, Shadow Minister of Transport and Works to present to the Jamaican Taxpayers the evidence of the mishandling of the public's trust, and the corrupt use of a loan which ALL Jamaicans will repay as the greatest pork barrel heist that has ever been seen.
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PNP….PROGRESSIVE, STRONG AND READY!