PNP Elder Declares War … Hints Expulsion of 15 Rebel MPs

June 29, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

Is Bunting Behind Unrest in PNP?

As the leadership crisis in the PNP deepens, embattled Party President & Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips has agreed to meet with rebel MPs. Venue and time to be finalized.

Three Card-ism or Deception?

Update. A meeting was held at the Mico University on Monday the 8th as scheduled. Details of what transpired at this Mico meeting are sketchy, but speaking on radio Bunting dismissed the idea that this was the meeting demanded by letter from the “rebels”. Was there a deception? Bunting said inter alia: “This Mico meeting was a regular meeting of all 29 members of Parliament of the PNP. The requested meeting of the Rebels is expected soon.”

Expulsions In The PNP

Disputes and challenges to party leadership is not a new feature of party politics or political infighting.
Some see this as being healthy for the body politic. Others view it as disruptive as it can disturb the status quo. Then there are the Purists who will object very strongly and view any such challenge as disloyalty and of such are seen as plotters, saboteurs or rebels who should be crushed, expelled or destroyed by all means. Expulsion has occurred in the PNP in 1952. The 4Hs were expelled. They are Ken Hill, Frank Hill, Richard Hart, and Arthur Henry commonly referred to as the 4Hs. The 4 Hs were seen as subversives as Communists who wanted to split up the party. Norman Manley expelled them from the PNP.

Convention

Responding to the written request by the 15 rebel” PNP MPs who are the majority of the 29 … PNP elder and stalwart KD “Bond” Knight was not mincing words. He threw down the gauntlet or should we say the guillotine. You may recall Marie Antoinette, a French Queen who was beheaded by a guillotine around the year 1789.

“Convention dictates that from 1944 we have been following a certain route as it relates to succession of leadership in the PNP”. Knight stated inter alia.

Senator KD Knight, QC is highly regarded as a lawyer, is a stalwart and power broker in the People’s National Party (PNP).

Senator KD Knight was speaking to Cliff Hughes, a talk show host on the developments in the PNP which seems heading to yet another crisis. Knight advised that his new alias is “Bond” of Sean Connery vintage. He was formerly called “Cow Boy”.

Since these utterances on the PNP crisis in the making … the party appears to have patched up its differences. MP, Peter Bunting has been

appointed co campaign director along with MP, Phillip Paulwell. Bunting has also been appointed Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House. He replaces MP, Dr. Maurice Guy who has asked to be relieved of the position so he can concentrate on his seat in St. Mary.

Compromise

On a more serious note Knight is caught up with the idea of tradition or convention as he has chosen to frame his argument around convention in the PNP. That argument seems to be now outdated as other developments, as stated above, seem to have overtaken that threat. Dr. Peter Phillips et al have opted for compromise, instead of the prospect of possible disunity … at least for now.

Opposition Leader

The Peter Bunting faction is 15 and the majority … they could have gone to the GG and oust Dr. Peter Phillips as Opposition Leader. The GG would have to act on Bunting’s request. That is how it is. This is what convention is all about.

We wish the PNP well as we approach an upcoming General election. We hope they will settle down now and be an effective Opposition. Democracy demands strong Opposition.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National & International Correspondent for Vision Newspaper.