MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Defeated People’s National Party candidate Donovan Mitchell has conceded his loss to the Jamaica Labour Party’s Rhoda Crawford, claiming the people of Manchester prefer him in his capacity as mayor of Mandeville.

“I want to congratulate the winners and say well done to those who have fought very well. As for me, the people of Manchester say it is better for me to sit as mayor and so this morning I accept that wish and ask that we continue to do the work of the parish,” he said at Thursday’s sitting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

Mitchell polled 8,876 to Crawford’s 9,112 in the September 3 elections.

During the sitting, Mitchell blasted the Government for a campaign promise of a one road authority, labelling it as “gimmicks”.

“Any move to move such authority from the councils will have to go through Parliament and if you remove roads from us [and] entertainment regulation from us, it is simple, close down the municipalities, because what else would the municipalities have do a part from taking care of the poor and the indigent… building plans and all of that,” said Mitchell.

— Kasey Williams