Nixing Preemptive PLP Purge
The Bahama Journal Editorial
There is a sense we are getting that tells us that there may be forces and elements currently at work in the precincts of the Progressive Liberal Party that would [if given their chance] help their organization to a defeat.
There are occasions in life when the sure thing can become the very thing that is lost – having been sacrificed to greed, jealousy and a species of one-upmanship run amok.
One such occasion now seems to be upon the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie as some of his party’s more senior members seek to persuade him [and the Party hierarchy] to deny nominations to a number of his closest allies; inclusive of Leslie Miller, Obie Wilchcombe, Vincent Peet – and Shane Gibson.
If Mr. Christie was ever dumb enough to agree with these men, he would in that same gesture prove that he is unfit to lead this nation.
In addition, we seriously wonder if the men who are trying to advise the former prime minister that he should so purge his party really understand the true import of what they are suggesting.
We cut – as it were – to the chase: Mr. Christie would prove himself a hypocrite of the highest order were he to be perceived as being party to this kind of proposed back-stabbing.
Like others who are all for probity in public life, we are also realistic enough to know and appreciate – as fact – that the Bahamian people are smart enough and savvy enough to appreciate – again as fact – that they are voting for men and not angels.
It therefore follows that, if the people in a constituency; members in a party – and others concerned – are prepared to support a candidate, that should be their choice.
Furthermore, Mr. Christie would be well-advised to watch carefully as this or that self-serving crew tries to get him to second-guess his earlier notions that there should always be some second chance for this or that person.
In addition, the PLP’s party leader would also be well-advised to tune in to what the people are saying at the constituency level – this because this is going to be decisive whenever general elections are called.
Clearly, those men who would have the PLP’s leader divest him and his team of some of their most precious assets are jesting.
If they are not jesting, they must be on some mission or the other designed to help the PLP to a resounding defeat.
No political organization can ever hope to succeed if it allows itself to become little more than a mechanism designed to service the needs of the few.
Indeed, all who have succeeded have done so because they have kept close to the people whose voices matter most; namely the masses.
Put simply, winning a seat in parliament has all to do with being – as the saying goes – popular.
It therefore follows that the people can and should be allowed their choices of candidate, warts and all.
These people know better than anyone else that election to parliament is not about selection to sing in a heaven-bound choir.
Evidently, there will arise occasions when the people decide that they want this or that man or woman to represent them, regardless.
We remember some of Whitney Bastian’s travails when he sought [and did not get] a PLP nomination. As the record shows, he begged, he cajoled and he was denied.
He went on to win the seat in South Andros because he was the people’s choice.
Clearly, then, the same principle applies to all others who find favor with the Bahamian people. This list could well include the likes of Leslie Miller, Vincent Peet, Obie Wilchcombe and [yes!] Shane Gibson.
We are today bemused by those men who have decided that, among all others, they are uniquely qualified to stand in judgment of some other men and women.
Like others who make it their business to take stock of matters political, we are sometimes left bemused by some of the stuff that comes to our attention.
We are today bemused not only because we know a thing or two about the men who are said to advising PLP leader to deep-six a number of his parliamentary colleagues.
In addition, they would have "their leader" renounce giving his nod to the candidacy of a man who was once a Cabinet Minister under the leadership of none other than the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie.
These men – again as we understand the matter at hand – would have the former prime minister sever connection with some of his parliamentary colleagues – men who have been with him through thick and thin.
May 17th, 2011
The Bahama Journal Editorial
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.