Bunting answerable for sign - Walker

MANDEVILLE, Manchester

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for Central Manchester Danville Walker declared yesterday that People's National Party (PNP) General Secretary Peter Bunting should take some of the responsibility for the defacing of a political billboard recently erected in the constituency.

Addressing a press conference at the site of the billboard touting him as a 'proven performer' on Caledonia Road in Mandeville, Walker said, "It is very unfortunate that after four years in the constituency, those who support him (Bunting) would feel that this is the best way to show their support. I expect that a general secretary of a major political party would have the influence in this constituency to send a strong message to the supporters that he would not condone this type of behaviour."

Walker added: "I think that the principled thing for him is to accept some of the responsibility and to replace the sign."

The sign was erected on Saturday at the property of Trevor Parsons, who operates Pneumatron Ltd.

"An advertisement company rent the space from me," Parsons explained. "A Claro sign was there before. On Saturday they (advertisement company) put up the Danville Walker sign. Yesterday (Monday) morning I came to work and I saw red paint on the body of Walker on the billboard and this morning I saw his picture torn off."

Bunting's Camp felt threatened

Walker said it was evident that Bunting's camp felt threatened by him.

"It's a sign of the legitimacy of our likelihood of winning this constituency," he said. "If you are so confident that you are going to win, you don't need to resort to such tactics like this. I believe this will just strengthen us and cause us to work harder PD (polling division) by PD and bring home the victory."

Walker has been erecting other banners across his constituency and has disclosed that he will be putting up others shortly.

Meanwhile, Bunting has condemned the damage done to the billboard.

In a statement yesterday, Bunting said while it was not clear who was responsible for the damage done to the billboard, he was nevertheless urging the supporters of both parties to conduct a clean campaign for the upcoming election.

"I well remember the horrifying incident the weekend before the 2007 general election when one of my campaign vehicles was riddled with AK 47 bullets from a drive-by shooting, which left four innocent supporters dead, including a PNP indoor agent," said Bunting.

"The country and the constituency must never again allow the political temperature to be elevated to such insane levels," the Central Manchester member of parliament added.

Bunting continued: "In this regard, I'm calling on the JLP to cease placing their sound vehicles blaring political music in front of the office of the member of parliament."

rural@gleanerjm.com