Bunny takes on the Green Giant

By: Karen Madden

Image caption: Joseph ‘Bunny’ Witter, the PNP’s man in Kingston Western.

A native of downtown Kingston, Witter first entered the fray in 2002 when he went up against then leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga in Kingston Western. Since then, he has faced formidable opponents, losing by wide margins to former prime minister Bruce Golding as well as to the constituency’s long-serving representative, Desmond McKenzie.

Kingston Western has been loyal to the JLP since the 1950s, making it one of the most secure political fortresses in the country. Despite five straight defeats at the polls – 2002, the 2005 by-election, 2007, 2016, and 2020 – he remains undaunted. Absent from the 2011 contest, Witter is back on the ballot for the 2025 General Elections, gearing up to take on McKenzie for a third consecutive showdown.

Witter told The Gleaner that faith, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose keep him on the campaign trail. But contesting in a stronghold is no easy feat, and canvassing requires delicate manoeuvring in what he describes as a political “powder keg”.

“We go house to house on our side, and there are areas in the JLP side where we have pockets of support. We don’t go into politically hostile areas because it can create a backlash, and if violence breaks out, you will hear it’s because you come ‘round deh and you create it, so to avoid political tension, we just go to the pockets,” Witter explained.

He stressed that connecting with people across political lines remains essential even in seemingly impenetrable areas.

“We have to go house to house even in the communities that are strong for the PNP because if they don’t see you, they won’t vote. They will believe you disrespect them. So we can’t take them for granted. The message is that the MP (member of parliament) is the MP for the entire constituency. But the same problems in the stronger places are the same problems in the weaker areas,” he added, noting that different communities prioritised different issues.

Despite repeated defeats, Witter maintains an unshakable optimism, bolstered by the support of PNP President Mark Golding, who has walked with him on the ground.

ROAD MAP FOR CHANGE

“No, I am not disappointed. I understand that, probably, I am not the one who will change the landscape in West Kingston for the PNP, but, probably, I might be the one who create that road map for the person who is coming,” Witter said. 

“When you compile all the research, probably you can get the message to break that cultural barrier because it is cultural barrier. It’s not policy. You meet a young youth and he says, ‘I like your ideas, you sound good, but mi born come see mi madda, mi grandmadda, all mi family a Labourite,’ so you have that barrier.”

Witter said that motivating his own base also presented challenges.

“You have to find a message for the people who are Comrades because their spirits may be broken because they believe it doesn’t matter if they vote. So you have that to deal with - how to find ways to motivate your own,” he added.

The PNP stalwart said his own political journey began in a strong PNP household but was cemented by the philosophies of Michael Manley.

“When Michael Manley said the youths must step up to the occasion to chart their own destiny and he lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, and when he removed the ‘bastard act’ that gave rights to every child, that resonated with me,” he recalled.

Still, the task before him is monumental. McKenzie remains a popular and entrenched figure in Kingston Western, which covers communities such as Tivoli Gardens, Fletcher’s Land, Hannah Town, Rose Town, Orange Villa, and Denham Town. In the 2020 General Election, Witter secured just 956 votes compared to McKenzie’s commanding 8,382. 

His best showing was 963 votes in 2016.

Yet, Witter refuses to wave the white flag.

“Winning the seat is not off the table until the votes are counted. After the votes are counted, expectations don’t matter. The people have spoken. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” he declared.

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