MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell has got the nod as the Opposition People’s National Party’s (PNP) representative in Manchester Central, replacing Senator Peter Bunting following an overwhelming vote of confidence from delegates here.

PNP Deputy General Secretary Wensworth Skeffery told the Manchester Central constituency conference Sunday that 97 per cent of delegates supported Mitchell during a vote at the Mandeville Primary School on Sunday.

“When the dust settled we had 406 delegates in the ratification exercise; 393 said yes to Comrade Donovan Mitchell, 13 said no,” Skeffery announced after the voting at the constituency conference at Golf View Hotel here.

Mitchell, who is also councillor for the Royal Flat Division, was later endorsed by the hierarchy and stalwarts of the PNP, including former Manchester Central MP John Junor, KD Knight, Bunting and party President Mark Golding.

Former Mayor of Mandeville Brenda Ramsay was also among those seated at the head table at the conference.

Junor, who served as MP for Manchester Central for 18 consecutive years, said he is Mitchell’s campaign director.

“It is going to be my duty to ensure that between now and whenever they choose to call whichever one [local or parliamentary election] that this constituency will be razor sharp and ready,” said Junor.

Junor was succeeded by Bunting in the 2007 election. Bunting went on to win the seat in two other elections, but lost to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Rhoda Crawford in the September 3, 2020 General Election. Crawford polled 8,139 votes over Bunting’s 6,989 votes.

Junor expressed confidence that Mitchell can regain the seat for the PNP.

“I want to say to you, Rhoda will be history. They [JLP] will not be able to get the PNP and our Comrade leader out of this race; it is often said that political parties lose power more than they win it. We intend to win this one on the basis of our message to the people and the work that they see us doing on their behalf,” he said.

Mitchell, in his address, said: “I want to thank the Comrades who voted for me; it is a vote of confidence in selecting me as your standard-bearer and I accept it with a full and grateful heart without reservation and with only one obligation to you all — to devote my entire mind body and spirit to lead Central Manchester back to the fold of the PNP and to bring this nation to greatness.”

“My record of service to Central Manchester speaks for itself,” added Mitchell.

Bunting, meanwhile, said he was filled with a mix of emotions in handing over the baton to Mitchell.

“The valedictory address is a bittersweet moment as I close my tenure as chairman of the constituency executive of Central Manchester after 16 remarkable years. Thirteen of those as MP serving this constituency,” said Bunting.

“I have complete confidence in passing the baton to the capable hands of Comrade Donovan Mitchell who will be the next MP and lead the constituency into the future. [He] is one of the most talented politicians that I have met at any level across the entire Caribbean,” said Bunting.

“Comrades, there is no doubt that there is a wind of change blowing across the land. The Jamaican people are fed up with this Jamaica Labour Party Government… The people of Jamaica want a new direction,” Bunting added.

Meanwhile, Golding said Mitchell has been a crucial part of Manchester Central from Bunting’s tenure.

“[We] have very high regard for you as a politician and as a servant of the people. I know it is fitting as we empower our councillors to move forward. It is fitting that you are stepping forward with the blessing of the people. I very much look forward to walking with you up Duke Street into Gordon House to sit on the right side of the aisle in the next PNP Administration,” said Golding.

Golding said unity is needed for the PNP to regain the Manchester Central seat.

“We have somebody squatting in the seat now, but we know that when the time come that person is going to be out and Donovan Mitchell is going to be in. We are not going to take it for granted. The work has to be done. We have to come together as one,” he said.

At the same time, Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western Mikael Phillips said, “Manchester is ready for the PNP”.

“When we had me as MP in Manchester North Western, Comrade Bunting as MP in Central, Comrade Michael Stewart in South, we had better leadership in the parish of Manchester than what we are seeing right now,” he said.

“Some doing it for the likes on social media. Some doing it and taking up space on social. What we want back in the parish are MPs who care for the people and who will work on behalf on the people of Manchester,” said Phillips.