MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell has announced his intention to represent the People’s National Party (PNP) in Manchester Central in the next general election.

Mitchell, the councilor for the Royal Flat division, made the disclosure at the party‘s Bellefield Divisional Conference on Sunday night at the Bellefield High School.

“I want to say to the leaders of the party that I, Donovan Mitchell, it is my greatest intention to make sure that Central Manchester returns to the folds of the People’s National Party. We will do it like Winston Vassel Jones did it for 25 years. We will do it like John Junor did it for many, many years. We will do it like Peter Bunting, and so help me God if I get it, them (Jamaica Labour Party) can’t get it back…” he said.

The JLP’s Rhoda Moy Crawford is the sitting Member of Parliament for the constituency.

Crawford won Manchester Central in the September 3, 2020 general election with 8,139 votes over Bunting’s 6,989 votes.

Mitchell said former MP Bunting, who is the PNP’s chairman in the constituency, during executive meetings said he would not be seeking reelection.

Mitchell said he has experience in Manchester Central which consists of four divisions namely Royal Flat, Bellefield, Mandeville and Knockpatrick.

“I’m sending a warning, if you think me done. Young bud nuh know storm and I am ready for the road. I have been chairman of the Mandeville division. I have been treasurer of the Bellefield division. I have been a member of the Knockpatrick division. I have been councillor of the Royal Flat Division since 1998. I have been all over town….” said Mitchell.

In January, Mitchell told the Jamaica Observer that he was reconsidering his decision to leave representational politics, seven months after he said he would not be seeking re-election in the Royal Flat Division.

READ: Mandeville mayor rethinking walking away from politics

— Kasey Williams