Simpson Miller has been, indeed, like all the other contenders are - persons that are a part of the Cabinet which over the past many years has pursued a set of policies which have not produced the set of results that the country wants.

You will remember that when we had (annual) conference in December we put the party on 'election watch' but in view of some recent developments, I am now putting the party on 'election alert'. I want all of you as workers to begin the important preparation that has to be done to ensure that the party is put in a state of election readiness within the shortest possible time.

I consider it to be a disgrace that we are back here today, and all we are looking at is ashes.

I think that there is a great level of disaffection in the country in terms of the performance of the government and we are going to be challenging them on that over the next few months.

There are too many agencies to report to, too many returns that have to be filed.

Unfortunately, these are not problems that we can leave behind in 2005. They will cling to us and form part of the challenges that will confront us in the new year.