by Dennis Gilman
Member since:
November 24, 2008

We Elected "Sista 'P' "! Portia Simpson Miller is now Jamaica's first Elected Female Prime Minister

December 30, 2011 10:38 AM UTC
views: 0 | 5 people recommend this | comments: 30

Defying opinion polls that suggested yesterday's general election was too close to call, the People's National Party (PNP) secured a stunning victory, winning 41 of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives.

Portia Simpson Miller (Sista 'P') is now Jamaica's first elected Female Prime Minister.

They won 65% of the seats in our Parliament, a surprising landslide victory.  One important thing to note is that an amendment to our Constitution requires a vote in parliament with a majority of 66?%.  They are only one seat away from that magical majority.  The votes are being counted again to verify the results.  The official count should be known later today.

Comments: 30

Len Maxwell Dec 30, 2011, 1:08pm UTC
Curious about one thing, Dennis. You wrote "first elected Female Prime Minister." Does that imply that there has been a previous female prime minister who was not elected?

Thanks for sharing with The Triple Name Club.
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 2:01pm UTC
"Does that imply that there has been a previous female prime minister who was not elected?"

Yes, Mrs. Simpson Miller first became Prime Minister after P. J. Patterson resigned and she won the support of her party who used their majority position to have her appointed Prime Minister. She lost the subsequent election to the Bruce Golding led JLP.
Kasey Klein Dec 30, 2011, 1:39pm UTC
thanks for sharing
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 2:01pm UTC
You're welcome.
Kathryn Flynn Dec 30, 2011, 4:03pm UTC
I think it is good news. I think the elected female prime ministers in the world have been pretty good to excellent.
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 4:16pm UTC
Every one so far has done an excellent job.

I think you'll find it interesting that in her acceptance speech she thanked even her housekeeper:

"Without her assistance, I would have been in a lot of trouble right now."
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 4:17pm UTC
This should encourage Hilary Clinton.
Pam Brittain Dec 30, 2011, 4:21pm UTC
Yikes!
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 4:30pm UTC
 
Pam Brittain Dec 30, 2011, 4:21pm UTC
Go Portia! Good for you.
Dennis Gilman Dec 30, 2011, 4:30pm UTC
Thanks Pam.
Susan G. Dec 30, 2011, 5:04pm UTC
I wouldn't assume people are voting for women for any reason other than we are all sick of the same old same old. It may be our way of telling the powers that be they must be responsive to our needs or they're out of here.
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 8:33am UTC
You could be correct Susan.
August Lady Dec 30, 2011, 7:41pm UTC
Her opponent looked like he was ready to cry~this is a great day for women worldwide!
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 8:34am UTC
LOL!

Thanks August Lady.
August Lady Jan 3, 2012, 9:19pm UTC
Catchy name too, tho' I don't think it would fly in the good ol' USA!
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 9:28pm UTC
Probably not. Her lesser used other nickname is mama 'P'. (mostly by the younger generation)
Patricia J. Dec 30, 2011, 8:53pm UTC
I'm not sure that electing a female politician in the US would be any different than electing her male counterpart. Our female representatives and senators don't care about the people who elected them either.
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 8:36am UTC
Logical conclusion. Sista "P" however has spent the last year building up a reputation of being motherly. I think the former leader of the party. P. J. Patterson has something to do with that. She has admitted that he has been coaching her.
Janet "Jax" B. Dec 30, 2011, 10:40pm UTC
INteresting.....
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 8:36am UTC
Thanks Janet.
Anita D. Jan 1, 2012, 1:03pm UTC
Sounds like world wide we want to see change and not just the same old way of doing things.
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 8:41am UTC
I love that new icon!

It seems that you may be correct. To really send that message though, the could have communicated it even more forcefully my electing a few from the National Democratic Movement (NDM) or even the candidate from the Marcus Garvey Peoples Party. (MGPP)
Steven Cetta Jan 3, 2012, 9:31pm UTC
There is nothing wrong with a female prime minister. I am sure she will do a good job.
Dennis Gilman Jan 3, 2012, 10:18pm UTC
Well, all the others in the world have distinguished themselves.
Steven Cetta Jan 6, 2012, 11:50am UTC
You have to look at all these politicians as individuals. Although I don't normally trust politicians. But she might be the one to do the right thing.
Dennis Gilman Jan 6, 2012, 2:10pm UTC
I agree
Steven Cetta Jan 8, 2012, 3:43pm UTC
Thank you.

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