Todd, Edghill, Phillips seen as top contenders for PPP PM spot

With the long-awaited process to select a prime ministerial candidate for the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) getting underway, UG lecturer Hugh Todd, former Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill and former GDF Chief of Staff Mark Phillips are seen as the leading candidates.

The PPP has not yet laid out the process through which the selection will be made but it is expected that the interested contenders will be interviewed by the party’s executive committee before the recommendations are taken to the central committee for ratification.

With the selection of for former housing and commerce minister Irfaan Ali as the party’s  presidential candidate not gaining overwhelming support even in the party, analysts say  the PPP will be aiming to ensure the broadest national acceptance possible of its number two candidate.

Edghill and Phillips had emerged as early contenders for the position. Having had a national profile as former Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission and later as junior Finance Minister, Edghill is seen as having the credentials to take on the position. However, Edghill is also seen as a polarizing figure in the constituency of the governing coalition and may therefore not be seen as someone with the potential to attract non-PPP voters. Two years ago, Edghill was at the centre of an uproar in Parliament during deliberations on the budget estimates which saw police entering the chamber in a bid to arrest him.

Phillips is seen as someone with distinguished service in the army  and with the potential to attract independent and crossover votes. Observers say it is unclear whether he is interested in accepting the number 2 spot but that he would be seen as a safe pair of hands for the party.

Earlier this year, Phillips attracted public interest when he criticized the controversial house to house (HtH) registration on his Facebook page. Phillips said HtH registration was a violation of this country’s constitution and in contravention of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s ruling and consequential orders.

Phillips would also be seen as a counterweight to the army credentials of the present administration which is replete with former senior army personnel including President David Granger.

For all of the interest  attracted by Edghill and Phillips, PPP watchers say that Todd has emerged as a bona fide candidate for the position and could end up being selected. Given the need to broaden the PPP’s appeal and to reach out to younger voters and independents, Todd is seen as having a major edge over the other two potential candidates. Todd has appeared at several PPP fora and appears to be keen on taking up the challenge of the number two position.

Former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, was the party’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2015 election in what was a losing effort. Before her, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was first appointed in 1992, served in that capacity until 2015 when the PPP/C government was unseated.

Jagdeo on Friday said that Ali will be making more appearances as the elections draw closer. He added that Ali is scheduled to hold a press conference this week. Last night the PPP announced that there would be a joint press conference today by Jagdeo and Ali.