Kingston, January 22, 2012: The Peoples National Party, PNP painfully mourns the recent loss of one of its most outstanding stalwarts, the internationally recognised, Ambassador the Hon. Dudley Thompson.

His contribution to the PNP saw him moving through the ranks, from that of an ordinary member, to that of a Senator, Member of Parliament, Minister of State and a Cabinet Minister, undertaking in that capacity, tough assignments in the areas of National Security, Mining and Foreign Affairs.

In recognition of his in valuable contribution to the party, he was made, some years ago, a life member of the party.

Dudley Thompson's vast intellect, gift of persuasion and his passion for social justice and equality, found comfort in the PNP, especially at the time when the Party, under the leadership of former Parry president and Prime Minister, Michael Manley, sought to bring ordinary Jamaicans into the centre of government and governance.

He was also one of the party's principal architects then, to advance its progressive internationalist foreign policy, in the effort to address the economic inequalities which existed between developing and developed countries.

While maintaining his membership in the party, Dudley Thompson, also gave selfless service in the public sector. This was epitomised by his appointment as an Ambassador, serving the country with distinction in different international fora.

It was during this time, and especially when he served as Jamaica's Ambassador to Nigeria, that he sought, in keeping with his growing belief in Pan-Africanism, to strengthen and deepen the relationship between Jamaica and other African countries.

Dudley Thompson's contribution to the growth and development of the party, and the dedication and professionalism which he brought to his duties on behalf of his beloved Jamaica and Jamaicans, will never be forgotten.

The PNP is deeply honoured to have had an esteemed and loyal comrade like Dudley Thompson among its ranks, and will forever be grateful to him for his lifelong contribution to advancing the cause of the Party, which he held so dear.

The Party extends condolences to his loving wife Cecile, his children, grandchildren and immediate family, as the leadership and membership of the party share in their grief.

Kingston, December 30, 2011: The People's National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) is commending Jamaicans who participated in the electoral process on December 29 and pledges to increase its efforts to engage more of the country's young citizens on national development issues.

"The PNPYO commends all Jamaicans who exercised their right to vote and we thank those who voted to restore the People's National Party (PNP) as the governing party in Jamaica," the PNPYO said in a statement today.

The PNP youth arm says the PNP is committed to improving the quality of life of all the Jamaican people and always encourages the fullest participation of all citizens in decision-making which impacts their lives.

The PNP youth adds that at a time of deep national crisis as the country is currently experiencing, young people are critical to the task of national rebuilding. The organisation has recommitted itself to the task of engaging more young Jamaicans in the political process and on the issues of governance and national development.

The PNPYO notes that the PNP is steadfast in its belief that the people of Jamaicans have the capacity to individually and collectively improve our standard of living with appropriate empowerment and policy guidance. This it sense is the true meaning of 'people power'.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 30TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has congratulated the new Prime Minister-designate of Jamaica, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson following her People's National Party (PNP) victory over the incumbent Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Thursday.

"I just spoke a moment ago to the Cde Leader of the victorious PNP and newly elected PM of Jamaica, the Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller. I congratulated her on behalf of the Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM and more so on behalf of the Government and People of St. Kitts and Nevis," Prime Minister Douglas said.

Dr. Douglas, who placed the call from the Sugar Mill – venue of Digicel Miss Caribbean Teen Pageant at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium as part of the 40th Anniversary on National Carnival celebrations also conveyed congratulations of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) of which he is the National Political Leader.

Simpson-Miller's PNP won 42 of the 63 seats at stake.

"Our Comrades here of the SKNLP are proud of the decisive victory of our Sister-Party, the PNP, and look forward to closer collaboration and partnership in the future as you take on the mantle of leadership of your country at a time when the region and the world are beset by so many social economic and financial challenges," said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas also spoke to Cde. Horace Daley who won North Clarendon easily and greeted all the comradres at Campaign Headquarters.

Both the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the People's National Party are fraternal parties.

Prime Minister designate, Portia Simpson-Miller, Thursday night urged nationals to put aside their political difference and joined her People's National Party (PNP) administration in a building a new Jamaica.

Simpson-Miller, the first ever woman to head of a government in this country, led the PNP to a 42-21 thrashing of the incumbent Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Thursday general election that was called one year ahead of the constitutional deadline, according to the preliminary results.

"This leader with her team will be working with all Jamaicans as one Jamaican family as we shape the future of Jamaica together," she told supporters celebrating the party's return to power after it was defeated in the 2007 general election.

CMC reported that in a victory speech interspersed with music, Simpson-Miller said that she had already received congratulatory messages from outgoing prime minister Andrew Holness and some leaders within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping.

Holness, 39, the youngest ever head of government here, now has the dubious record of being the only prime minister to serve one term in office since the island attained political independence from Britain in 1962.

"Starting tomorrow we will be rebuilding. Our campaign for the next government starts tomorrow. We are determined to serve the people of the country in the best way possible.

It is clear to us however that the people of the country still have certain concerns apparently about the Jamaica Labour Party and we will be reflecting on those," Holiness said in his statement conceding defeat.

Simpson-Miller 66, who served as prime minister from 2006-2007 when then prime minister PJ Patterson resigned from active politics, thanked "everybody who played a role in ensuring the PNP's victory."

"I am humbled by the support of the Jamaican people and I ask you to ensure that you greet Jamaica labour Party supporters with love," she added.

"I want to thank all the voters of Jamaica," she said, adding that they had 'kept our democracy alive and well today".

Simpson -Miller, affectionally referred to as "Sista P" and "Comrade Leader" faces deep problems as she takes over the government, with debt running at approximately 130 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and unemployment at more than 12 per cent.

The prime minister designate has already said that her administration will be seeking to renegotiate the multi-billion dollar Standby Agreement (SBA) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"We have plenty of work ahead of us...you will hear from us soon as we move to put our team in place," she told supporters, urging all Jamaicans "to work with us as we move this country forward together.

"We will tell you as it is, we will hide nothing from you, when it is tough and rough we will let you know, when it is easy we will let you know," she said, informing all investors and businesses "that you have a government you can trust".

She said her administration would be working with Jamaicans in the Diaspora to "move Jamaica forward.

"We are going to unite and move Jamaica as it has never seen before," she added.

File Photo of St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (left) and Prime Minister-designate of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller.

(Photo by Erasmus Williams)

December 27, 2011: The People's National Party (PNP) has labeled as deliberate mischief making by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), suggestions that it supports a repealing of the Buggery Act. The PNP says that is not its position.

The PNP says the JLP has been circulating the false assertion about the Party's position on the matter in a desperate bid to make the matter an issue of contention to gain political advantage.

PNP Campaign Director, Dr. Peter Phillips said at a press conference to wrap up the party's campaign today that the PNP has no position to repeal the Buggery Act, and that the issue arose out of a question posed to party leader Portia Simpson Miller during the recent national debate with prime minister and JLP leader, Andrew Holness.

"This arose out of a question and there is no position taken by us of a repeal. We recognize that there are some persons, who for their own partisan political reasons, would wish to distort the Party's position as it relates to the Buggery Act," Dr. Phillips said.

He adds that the Party Leader has proposed a review of the Act, and not a repeal of it.

"During the review, every Member of Parliament will be required to bring to bear on the discussions, the views and the opinion of his or her constituents. At the end of the review, if a vote is to be taken, the vote will be a conscience vote, which means each Member of Parliament will vote according to the directive of his/ her constituents," Dr. Phillips says.

This is in keeping with the position taken by the PNP President, who indicated at the national debate that the people of Jamaica should let their voices be heard on the matter through consultations spearheaded by Members of Parliament, so that a Parliamentary debate and vote on the issue would not be confined to the views of Parliamentarians alone, but rather, would be reflective of the views and will of the people in constituencies across the country.

Responding to questions posed by journalists about accusations leveled on the campaign trail by Daryl Vaz that the PNP had received funding from overseas-based gay rights groups, Phillips said such accusations were not true and a "total fabrication" as the party had in no way supported "any gay agenda".

"This is a total fabrication of Mr. Vaz and his very active imagination and speaks to the desperation in that (the JLP's) campaign," said Phillips.

The PNP will end its election campaign today with a tour of western parishes and culminate with a meeting in the South West St. Andrew constituency of Party Leader, Portia Simpson Miller, followed by a gospel concert at the party's 89 Old Hope Road headquarters.