MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Mayor of Mandeville and chairman of the Manchester Municipal Corporation Donovan Mitchell says he will not be seeking re-election in the Royal Flat Division when the local government polls are called.

Mitchell told OBSERVER ONLINE on Tuesday during an interview at his Mandeville home that he will be stepping away from representational politics due to health issues and other reasons.

“I have decided to give it a break this time for real… I am not seeking re-election when the next local government election is called. I don’t know what the future holds, probably somebody might call and say Donovan run again do a last one,” he said.

Mitchell, 55, said unlike his previous move last year when he tendered his resignation as mayor, but later withdrew it, he has already advised the People’s National Party (PNP) of his decision.

“When I gave that resignation there was some consultations and I was asked to retract it and at least to sit out the term, because it would have created some imbalance in the council and some other problems and so I have indicated to the general secretary of the party recently that I do not intend to run back, but I am sitting out the term,” he said.

He denied reports that he was being pushed out of the local municipality where he has served as councillor for almost 20 years.

“For where I sit at this moment I am still Mayor of Mandeville and the councillor for the Royal Flat Division until the next elections are called, it may be a perception or the feeling of some people, but they have not come forward to me to my face to say Mitchell you need to go. Until that time comes then that is a different story,” he said.

He said he indicated to the PNP chairman of the Manchester Central constituency Opposition Senator Peter Bunting and chairman of the party’s region five Kern Spencer in a letter last week that he would not be seeking re-election.

When asked if his relationship with councillors and the PNP has deteriorated Mitchell said he believes there is still some level of confidence in him.

“Politics is like a marriage so to speak. You would have had your bad days and your good days. There is never yet a time where a marriage doesn’t have its ups and downs… but overall I do think I still enjoy some level of confidence or some level of comradery among the councillors unless I am being misled,” he said.

Asked about his relationship with Bunting, who he had served as campaign manager during the 2020 general election when the former member of parliament was defeated by the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Rhoda Moy Crawford, he said it has weakened.

“Everybody knows that the relationship that we had is not what we have now. From the general election of 2020 there has been some situations, the run off between Mark (Golding) and Lisa (Hanna) has reopened the wounds and all of that and so you know we really [say] hi and bye,” said Mitchell, who also served as Bunting’s road manager in 2003.

He said his constituents have opposed his decision to walk away.

“The people of the Royal Flat Division don’t want me to leave. We have had a good relationship with both PNP and JLP, I don’t think there is any other division in this country that shares that relationship with their councillor,” he said.

However, Mitchell said he will not be endorsing anyone to be his successor.

“As I said in the letter, I will stay clear of the campaign to find my successor, but when he or she is found if I am asked to give advice I will [do so],” he said.

He said he has gotten closer to his faith and has plans for life after politics.

“I have some God given-talents… currently I have started writing two books that I will be spending some time on. I have somewhat gone back closer to God and to my church, so I will be using my time to help in church and to do voluntary services,” said Mitchell.