Political Debate

PSOJ President, Mrs. Beverley Lopez commented that the organisation would still consider this to be a significant and timely initiative. “The PSOJ’s aim has always been to create a forum for the public to assess each candidate’s definitive position on major issues,” she stated. “Further discussions will continue in an effort to arrive at a convenient date, allowing for as many of the contenders as possible to participate”.

The PSOJ has noted that, from the start of this initiative, all representatives of the contenders were apprised of the possible dates – January 31 and February 7 – for the two proposed debates. A meeting was held to work out the terms of engagement, at which representatives of each contender, were present. At that time, confirmations were received from three contenders for the second proposed date of February 7.

At the end of this process, the PSOJ concluded that there was not enough time to make the proper arrangements for January 31 and all parties were advised on Friday, January 27 and asked to make themselves available for the second of the two proposed dates. The PSOJ was then advised that this date was not convenient for Minister Simpson Miller. At that point, the organisation requested of her team, two possible dates between February 8 and 15. The PSOJ would undertake to liaise with the other contenders to finalise the new date. The organisation has now learnt from Team Portia that, due to her very heavy schedule and the demands on her time, Minister Simpson Miller would not be able to accommodate the debate at any time up to February 24.

The PSOJ regrets the inconvenience caused to all parties resulting from the recent cancellation of the first of the two scheduled dates, although we understand the demands on the contenders’ time and their efforts to accommodate the organization.

Both the MAJ and the PSOJ consider that the importance of such a debate cannot be disregarded and it is their hope that, as they proceed to finalise a date convenient to all parties, that Minister Simpson Miller will find it possible to join in the event.

The PSOJ expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Media Asociation of Jamaica and all the media, including the RJR/TVJ Group, in the planning of the debate. This proposed debate follows on the series of breakfast meetings held by the PSOJ since October 2005, at which the four contenders had the opportunity individually, to express their vision and plans to the private sector and the media.

February 3, 2006