Peter Bunting not entering bid for PNP presidency

Dr. Peter Phillips is now the sole aspirant for the presidency of the People's National Party (PNP) following the announcement by Peter Bunting that he will not seek nomination for the post.
  
This comes eight days after Mr. Bunting said he was interested in the post following the decision by Portia Simpson Miller not to seek re-election.

In a statement Monday afternoon, Mr. Bunting said he held consultations with parliamentary and local government representatives and has concluded that a large majority feels that “it is Comrade Peter Phillips’s turn”.
  
Mr. Bunting said he is of the view that leadership decisions should be made on a wider set of considerations.
  
He said, based on the feedback, it would be irresponsible to cause the party to expend resources and divert focus and energy at this time and he will therefore not make himself available for nomination for the post of PNP President.
                                                 
Mr. Bunting said Dr. Phillips will have his support when he becomes the next president of the PNP.
  
Mr. Bunting added that he will work on areas of weakness within the PNP that have been identified publicly in various reports since February.
  
These include helping the party to engage a wider range of supporters and strengthening the internal framework for integrity and accountability.