DAYTON DUMPED - Outspoken Bunting supporter discarded in new-look shadow cabinet
Published:Friday | October 4, 2019 | 12:10 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has dumped Dr Dayton Campbell, the outspoken campaign manager for Peter Bunting in his losing bid to unseat Phillips last month, from the shadow cabinet.
Campbell, then opposition spokesman on health, was absent from the list of spokespersons Phillips announced yesterday.
All members of parliament who backed the incumbent in the presidential challenge were rewarded in the new-look shadow cabinet.
Campbell, who did not hold back on the campaign trail, could not be reached by The Gleaner yesterday but told RJR that he had not been offered a position in the new council.
A highly placed party operative believes that Phillips has handed Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton a huge gift by removing Campbell from shadowing that portfolio.
“With the greatest respect to Dr Morais Guy, who has been around a long time and is very experienced, but you think Guy can stand up to Tufton and his public relations? Tufton must be saying, ‘Thank God!’ to Phillips. Dayton gave him hell in that ministry, but because of political spite, you throw him out. I guess this is the One PNP United together,” the operative said sarcastically.
Campbell was not the only casualty among Bunting’s supporters. Phillips also dumped Angela Brown Burke, the former spokesperson on local government, rewarding his campaign team manager Natalie Neita with the position.
Bunting was given the education portfolio, where he will join Manchester South MP Michael Stewart, who was an early ‘Riser’ in the contest.
Bunting, too, could not be reached yesterday.
His campaign chairman, Mark Golding, retained his spokesperson portfolio of finance and the public service, where he is being shadowed by Senator Lambert Brown.
Fenton Ferguson, who gave Bunting his support at the die of the contest, has been given the water and environment portfolio.
Phillips has said that none of the persons who supported Bunting’s bid were victimised in naming the new council of spokesperson.