MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Central Manchester Member of Parliament, Peter Bunting, has put to rest speculations about whether he would be seeking nomination this year for the leadership of the People’s National Party.

He told the audience at the annual constituency conference last night (Sunday) at the Manchester High School that while his aspiration is still present, it was not the right time.

“Comrades, I want to make it clear that I am not intending to nominate for any presidency in September…,” said Bunting.

He added: “The officers of the Party have asked potential aspirants for president to not consider a September conference challenge, to avoid internal elections coinciding with or distracting from Local Government Elections Campaign. They don’t have to ask me that twice. I am a Party man; I understand that completely.”  

He told the gathering that in politics and in life timing is critical.

Bunting said that even though it is a constitutional right to challenge, certain rights must be exercised judiciously.

He, however, maintains that at the “appropriate” juncture he will follow through on his plans.

“I don’t want you to mistake a tactical pause for a retreat,” said Bunting who is now the Opposition Spokesperson on National Security.

Long standing PNP member and former Minister of Education, Ronald Thwaites, lauded the Central Manchester Member of Parliament for what he said was an indication of maturity and prudence.

“Very often in political life, sadly in our Party and mostly in other political organisations, people ‘shub up’ themselves because they want to satisfy their own ego, their own ambition,” he said.

Thwaites further stated that at present, the interest of the whole is more important than the interest of the individual.

Seventy-year-old, Portia Simpson-Miller, is currently the leader of the People’s National Party.

Alicia Sutherland