By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
Several prominent Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MPs have expressed disappointment at the decision by Malcolm Adderley to resign his Elizabeth constituency seat.
"Well, it is always disappointing when you would lose a colleague in any circumstances really," said PLP MP for Yamacraw Melanie Griffin. Her constituency borders Elizabeth.
She expressed further disappointment that "fences could not be mended" between the party and Adderley for the betterment of the people of Elizabeth.
"But Elizabeth knows that Yamacraw has always been there for them. We have done our best to support them and we'll always be there," she said.
PLP Deputy Leader Philip Brave Davis said Adderley had regularly told them that he was a PLP. "And we always thought he would remain a PLP," added Davis, who is also the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP.
Davis said that if Adderley considered himself a PLP he could have remained with the organization despite having differences with its leadership.
"Well, you never want to lose a member... but you respect the decision that's made by our colleague. Malcolm and I were pretty close – we got along very well," said West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe.
"In fact when I was minister of Tourism I appointed him the chairman of the Gaming Board. So we had a wonderful relationship."
Wilchcombe, who is also leader of opposition business, added that despite the loss of a member, the PLP moves on.
"The party obviously will reminisce on his contribution, but we are moving toward what we have to do in the future and we're not going to be distracted by any departure," he said.
"The Progressive Liberal Party has a lot of work to do. The party has to now look at its message in the years moving forward. We have to look at our messengers – all – all who represent the constituencies and we have to determine how we're going to proceed."
It is expected that the Elizabeth by-election will be held in February.
It is still unclear if the PLP will contest the by-election. The party has said it lacks funds and that the process surrounding Adderley's resignation is problematic.
The opposition has accused the government and prime minister of offering Adderley a post as a Supreme Court justice, threatening the separation between the branches of government.
January 8, 2010
thenassauguardian
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.