From left, Portia Simpson Miller, Mike Henry, Lascelles Chin, William Mahfood, James Robertson and Bruce Golding.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
1 Portia Simpson Miller: Woman of the year. By beating off the challenge of contender Peter Phillips and remaining in touch with her base, she has emerged as the political leader of the people.
2 Judge Patrick Robinson: Internationally acknowledged Jamaican jurist.
3 Mike Henry: Emerged as one of the more capable Cabinet ministers.
4 Babsy Grange: Provided the Government with one of its few bright sparks in an otherwise drab year of underperformers.
5 Phillip Paulwell: Survived the witch-hunts and investigations determined to tie him to scandals and illicit activities.
6 Las Chin: Made Lasco into a household name.
7 Jamaica Broilers' Robert Levy: Pointed the way for corporate intervention via sponsorship.
8 Mark Hart: Took the CPJ brand to the top of the class.
9 William Mahfood: Young dynamic private-sector leadership.
10 DPP Paula Llewellyn: Charting a new course of accountability in the administration of justice.
1 Bruce Golding: The rush of wind we all heard was caused by the collective groan of exasperation by a nation, having grown frustrated with him for failing to assert and/or provide leadership in a time when the country is in dire need of steady hands steering the ship.
2 James Robertson: Seemed to have found himself in the political equivalent of the never-never-land.
3 Security Minister Trevor MacMillan: Lost the confidence of his many backers and the nation by failing to rise to the occasion.
4 Rene Simoes: Booted unceremoniously after a miserable showing.
5 Dr Peter Phillips: Should have learnt that veranda chatter does not necessarily translate into votes.
6 Louis Williams: Lost the coveted chair of the UDC and, with it, his political clout.
7 Ian Moore: Was defanged when he was removed as chairman of Petrojam board.
8Bill Clarke: The noise you continue to hear is his unceremonious fall from grace.
9 Shirley Williams: Given a basket called Air Jamaica to carry water; only to have that role diminished.
10 Rae Barrett: Lost his position at the National Health Fund.