Central Manchester Member of Parliament Peter Bunting, in confirming his challenge for the leadership of the People’s National Party, against Dr. Peter Phillips, today outlined his reasons for doing so.

Bunting indicated that he will run for the top job in the party during the annual conference set for September.

He said that this is a carefully considered decision which he believes to be in the best interest of the party and the country.

He said new leadership is the best course for the party.

In the coming weeks, he will be engaging various stakeholders within the party and in the wider society to discuss the strategic direction in which he would lead the PNP to hear their concerns and suggestions, and to finalize a contemporary, relevant political platform grounded in the foundational principles of the movement.

A core support team will establish the campaign committee and supporting structures.

Bunting said his team has adopted the campaign slogan ‘rise united’ as a signal of the determination to tackle the factionalism that has afflicted the party for a long time.

After the 2016 general election defeat, an appraisal committee was established to determine the reasons for the loss.

The four findings of the appraisal report were that: 1) the party was arrogant and took the electorate for granted; 2) there was a breakdown of trust among elements of the leadership leading into the campaign; 3) the party’s message did not communicate hope and was incoherent; and 4) the party’s organization was not election ready.

Bunting said the performance in East Portland confirmed that there has been no demonstrable improvement to the areas recognized as deficient and contributing to the PNP’s electoral defeat in 2016.