St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (l) and newly elected President of the ruling People's National Party (PNP) of Jamaica, Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller at a Reception to mark the Signing of the Cariibean Single Market (CSM) at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica in January this year.

Dr. Douglas, in a congratulatory message to Mrs. Simpson-Miller, who is now set to become Jamaica's first female Prime Minister in a few weeks said:

"for some time now, your fellow citizens envisioned you "as the best person to lead the Party,,, someone who would be sensitive to the needs of the poor&..in the society" and "the best performer in the government" deserving to be at the helm."

"Today, your are at the helm, a position you not only deserve, but earned during your thirty four years of service to the Party and your people," said Dr. Douglas, adding: "This is indeed a remarkable achievement and one which does everyone proud, irrespective of gender."

Prime Minister Douglas said his Cabinet and the National Executive of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, of which he is National Political Leader, "join me in extending a warm welcome to you to the leadership, and a firm hand of comraderie as we toil untiringly and collectively to make our islands in the Caribbean the most enviable corner in the vast global community."

Simpson-Miller, who was Guest Speaker at a previous ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour National Conference, won the PNP elections with 1,775 votes. She defeated her closest rival, National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips (1,538); Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Omar Davies (283) and former Water and Housing Minister, Karl Blythe (204).