Bunting fights off a strong Walker for Central Manchester
Published:Friday | December 30, 2011 | 12:00 AM
by Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
The People's National Party's (PNP) Peter Bunting has kept his electoral record intact after securing a less-than-easy win over Danville Walker in what was always expected to be a close contest in Central Manchester.
Running on the ticket of the PNP, Bunting polled 10,481 votes to hold off Walker, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) standard bearer, who polled 10,042 votes.
It was a fascinating battle to the end, with all polls predicting a very close race, heightening the intrigue.
There were always signs that money was driving the campaigns of the two men, both determined to settle a score.
From early out, colourful media advertisements and feisty commercials were centred around, or, fired at the competing candidate. So were the plethora of press releases and statements, signalling that the two men had no intention of relenting in the intense contest.
The feisty former director of elections-turned commissioner of Customs, had for years commanded riveting public attention when from early out, he signalled in unmistakable terms that the Electoral Office of Jamaica was his domain and was not daunted by the outbursts of losing politicians.
With the political mettle of Bunting already known, Jamaicans had anticipated the pre-election intrigues and they were not disappointed - from Walker's unsuccessful bid to present a gift of a motor vehicle to the police in the area to his billboard being torn down.
Bunting, PNP general secretary and the incumbent Central Manchester member of parliament, had succeeded the PNP's John Junor who held the seat for four terms from 1989 to 2007.
Prominence
He came to political prominence when he defeated former prime minister and JLP stalwart Hugh Shearer in South East Clarendon in the 1993 polls.
After serving one term, Bunting took a break from representational politics and returned months before the September 2007 general election to deprive the JLP's Sally Porteous who appeared to be riding comfortably to a victory.
Bunting polled 8,453 votes to Porteous' 8,338.
Walker was forced to quit the position of director of elections in the aftermath of the 2007 general election when information surfaced that he enjoyed dual citizenship status.
He quickly picked up another high-profile appointment as commissioner of Customs before moving into representational politics to contest a seat that the JLP was desperate to win.