Is Your MP Performing: Kennedy Constituents Displeased With MP
By NIKIA DEVEAUX:
Nine out of nine residents interviewed in the Kennedy constituency recently said their Member of Parliament, Kenyatta Gibson has not been performing.
While the constituents refused to give their names to the Bahama Journal, they minced no words when revealing that Mr. Gibson has made no positive changes in the community since he took his seat as the MP for Kennedy.
Some of the constituents had unique concerns, but whether their cry was that there are no programmes in place to assist the youth or that they need jobs, the nine constituents polled all agreed that Mr. Gibson is "never around."
"Kenyatta Gibson? I’ve never seen him around, and I’ve been living here since 1987. I don’t know if he happens to come around every time I’m not home, but all I can say is that I’ve never seen him in the area," said a man who only wanted to be identified as Mr. Mitchell.
Another constituent added: "Kenyatta? Well actually I don’t even know who he is to be honest. I’ve only heard the name from people around here. But me, I don’t know him. He’s not doing anything around here."
An elderly woman who has been living in the area for decades shared similar sentiments.
"He hasn’t done anything. Not a thing. The last time I saw him was when we put him in the House of Assembly and that was it. Since then I haven’t seen him," she said.
A second elderly woman who referred to herself as ‘Big Mama of Kennedy’ agreed and said she has not seen Mr. Gibson in the area since he became the MP.
While several of the residents simply complained about what Mr. Gibson is failing to do in the constituency, there were others who offered suggestions that they believe could make him a better representative.
"Just come around more often. Show your face and talk with the people; find out what’s going on with your constituents," a man who identified himself as Mr. Smith suggested.
"If you go riding around the area you will see children in the road. There’s nothing for them to do. I feel the MP should come up with some programmes or something for them to occupy their time and keep them from doing negative things," said a concerned constituent.
A young mother of one said the area’s main problem is the lack of jobs. She said Mr. Gibson should be doing what he can to change that.
"All of the young boys around here can’t find a job, and it’s been that way for years. I’m sure there’s some way Kenyatta can help them," she said.
Mr. Gibson resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in January 2008.
A year later he crossed the floor to join the Free National Movement (FNM).
In the aftermath, many political pundits and parliamentarians criticised the move, accusing the Kennedy MP of committing "political fraud" and turning his back on his constituents.
While some people said the move played a part in their rating of Mr. Gibson, others said it had no effect.
"It’s a big concern of ours. He changed a whole party and didn’t even come around to explain anything to the constituents. Someone could have come around and said ‘this is what happened and this is why I made my decision’," said an enraged resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We found out about the whole situation from the television. What message does that send to us?"
Her neighbour, however, disagreed and added that as long as an MP has the people in mind his or her party choice should not matter.
"We should be voting for the man or woman we want to represent us. He has the right to choose what party he wants to be with. If I put you there to represent me, just make sure you do that. FNM, PLP or whatever…just represent me," she said.
For some constituents it is too late for Mr. Gibson to regain their trust, but others say there is still time for him to get his act together.
At the end of the day Kennedy constituents said they are ready for a representative – whoever it may be – who will make a change in the area.
August 26th, 2010
jonesbahamas
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.
Showing posts with label Kenyatta Gibson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kenyatta Gibson. Show all posts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
PLP Kennedy showdown: Derek Ryan, Dion Smith or Keith Bell?
PLP set for Kennedy 'showdown'
tribune242:
THE PLP is reportedly set to have a "showdown" in the Kennedy constituency with three candidates said to be seeking the nomination to run under the party's banner.
Attorney Derek Ryan, Dion Smith, and former police superintendent Keith Bell are all reported to be working in the area after the PLP's former candidate Kenyatta Gibson crossed the floor to become an FNM Member of Parliament.
Of the three candidates, it is said Mr Ryan and Mr Smith are the two front-runners - with Mr Smith getting the majority of the party's inner circle support, while Mr Ryan has secured the support on the constituency level.
With reports reaching The Tribune that the third probable contender, Mr Bell, is also being considered to run for the party in St Cecilia or the Sea Breeze constituency - party sources have suggested he will, in all eventuality, be considered for one of the latter seats to help defuse this growing problem.
Initially it was also reported that PLP treasurer Craig Butler had displayed an interest in the seat but was overlooked when Mr Smith emerged as a possible contender.
Mr Smith's probable nomination has come under fire in recent days as political pundits speculate that his emergence on the political scene could have more to do with cementing the position of other "would-be leaders" within the party than his own actual nomination. This has raised fears in some quarters among the party that there could be a challenge to the leadership of the party's leader Perry Christie prior to the 2012 general election.
Having emerged victorious from a challenge to his leadership at the party's last national convention, senior PLPs have stressed that the PLP cannot afford to revert to a repeat performance of that time - as Mr Christie's focus should now be placed firmly on defeating the FNM in 2012.
August 14, 2010
tribune242
tribune242:
THE PLP is reportedly set to have a "showdown" in the Kennedy constituency with three candidates said to be seeking the nomination to run under the party's banner.
Attorney Derek Ryan, Dion Smith, and former police superintendent Keith Bell are all reported to be working in the area after the PLP's former candidate Kenyatta Gibson crossed the floor to become an FNM Member of Parliament.
Of the three candidates, it is said Mr Ryan and Mr Smith are the two front-runners - with Mr Smith getting the majority of the party's inner circle support, while Mr Ryan has secured the support on the constituency level.
With reports reaching The Tribune that the third probable contender, Mr Bell, is also being considered to run for the party in St Cecilia or the Sea Breeze constituency - party sources have suggested he will, in all eventuality, be considered for one of the latter seats to help defuse this growing problem.
Initially it was also reported that PLP treasurer Craig Butler had displayed an interest in the seat but was overlooked when Mr Smith emerged as a possible contender.
Mr Smith's probable nomination has come under fire in recent days as political pundits speculate that his emergence on the political scene could have more to do with cementing the position of other "would-be leaders" within the party than his own actual nomination. This has raised fears in some quarters among the party that there could be a challenge to the leadership of the party's leader Perry Christie prior to the 2012 general election.
Having emerged victorious from a challenge to his leadership at the party's last national convention, senior PLPs have stressed that the PLP cannot afford to revert to a repeat performance of that time - as Mr Christie's focus should now be placed firmly on defeating the FNM in 2012.
August 14, 2010
tribune242
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Kenyatta Gibson tells the Carlton Francis' anti-gambling beliefs story
Gibson tells the Carlton Francis story
tribune242 editorial:
DURING the Budget debate, Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson, in putting the case for legalising gambling, told the tragic story of the political churchman who sacrificed himself to support his church's anti-gambling beliefs.
The irony was that the church never assisted him or protested his fall. Instead it became a firm supporter of the very government that had condemned their brother. It was the government that had introduced the evil that Baptists claimed they abhorred. Baptist churchmen took the position that neither they, nor their members, would ever support a government that depended on gambling as a source of national income.
Mr Gibson was, of course, referring to the late Carlton Francis, once Minister of Finance in the Pindling government, who was also a lay preacher in the Baptist church. Although Mr Gibson did not name the denomination to which he referred, he was talking of the Baptists. Because of the large vote the church controls at election time, all governments have been loath to take them on over one of the strictest tenants of their faith. Gambling is a capital sin which the church claims it will not tolerate, nor permit the indulgence of its members.
We recall the election of '67 when the PLP came to power for the first time. Just days before Bahamians were to go to the polls, the PLP sent in a release for publication. If the UBP were returned to power, it said, it would mean the extension of casino gambling. This was not true. As a matter of fact it was an unfair lie, because Sir Roland Symonette, this country's first premier, who was a staunch Methodist, was personally opposed to gambling. No such plan was on his party's agenda.
However, it spooked the Baptist community and, of course, churchmen stepped up their political opposition. There was hardly time to deny the story because Bahamians were getting ready to go to the polls. It was only with a PLP government, said the release, that Bahamians could be assured that gambling would be kept out of this country.
The PLP, of course, won the day, but it was not long afterwards that casino gambling was introduced and flourished in the Bahamas. And it was only six years after the PLP came to power that Mr Francis was put in the awkward position of having to choose between his government and his conscience. The issue was gambling. Here the politician had to give way to the conscience of the Baptist preacher. He voted against his government on the gambling issue and in 1973 had to resign from the Pindling cabinet.
That was bad enough, but a vindictive prime minister never forgave him his mortal sin. Thrown on the political trash heap, Mr Francis was hounded from pillar to post. A respected teacher before he entered politics, he could not get a job at the College of the Bahamas. As a matter of fact, he found it difficult after that to make a living.
As he crossed the street at one of Sir Lynden's political meetings, the "Chief" looked down from his lofty dais, spotted his former finance minister and sneered that there went Carlton Francis, but all he could see was a three-piece suit. It was true, Mr Francis then dying of cancer, was a shell of his former self and all one could see was a baggy suit. The crowd jeered. It was cruel.
But where was his church, which had declared that it would never support a government that got its revenue from gambling? Mr Gibson said that in his research, he could not find that Mr Francis' church came to his support when, having been abandoned by his party, he decided to run for parliament from the South Beach constituency. Of course, with his party against him and no help from his church, he lost the contest.
Mr Gibson said that "the record will show that they abandoned him and quickly realigned themselves with the same political party which he had abandoned on their behalf."
And, said Mr Gibson, "to complicate this issue many leading Churchmen of the day then accepted positions of significance from the same political party which had expanded casino gambling. These princes and princesses now piously sat as secretary generals and parliamentarians in the political organization which had ushered in the very same expansion, which they previously had vociferously argued against...
"And so the question begs an answer," said Mr Gibson, "what did they do for the Prince of their Church, Carlton Elisha Francis who sided with his Church on the gambling issue and gave up his cabinet portfolio? Absolutely nothing. The man could not even get the pastorship of a recognizable Church in this denomination."
Mr Gibson revived this bit of history to advise Bahamians to hold their own counsel in what they believed was best for them and their families and not be guided by special interest groups.
In the debate on whether gambling -- the numbers game -- should be made legal, he said the "people have the inalienable right to choose for themselves."
Mr Gibson ended his presentation in the House with a quote from Mr Francis: "They who stand on the sand banks of history trying to hold back the tide will be swept up in the flood gates of insurrection."
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial:
DURING the Budget debate, Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson, in putting the case for legalising gambling, told the tragic story of the political churchman who sacrificed himself to support his church's anti-gambling beliefs.
The irony was that the church never assisted him or protested his fall. Instead it became a firm supporter of the very government that had condemned their brother. It was the government that had introduced the evil that Baptists claimed they abhorred. Baptist churchmen took the position that neither they, nor their members, would ever support a government that depended on gambling as a source of national income.
Mr Gibson was, of course, referring to the late Carlton Francis, once Minister of Finance in the Pindling government, who was also a lay preacher in the Baptist church. Although Mr Gibson did not name the denomination to which he referred, he was talking of the Baptists. Because of the large vote the church controls at election time, all governments have been loath to take them on over one of the strictest tenants of their faith. Gambling is a capital sin which the church claims it will not tolerate, nor permit the indulgence of its members.
We recall the election of '67 when the PLP came to power for the first time. Just days before Bahamians were to go to the polls, the PLP sent in a release for publication. If the UBP were returned to power, it said, it would mean the extension of casino gambling. This was not true. As a matter of fact it was an unfair lie, because Sir Roland Symonette, this country's first premier, who was a staunch Methodist, was personally opposed to gambling. No such plan was on his party's agenda.
However, it spooked the Baptist community and, of course, churchmen stepped up their political opposition. There was hardly time to deny the story because Bahamians were getting ready to go to the polls. It was only with a PLP government, said the release, that Bahamians could be assured that gambling would be kept out of this country.
The PLP, of course, won the day, but it was not long afterwards that casino gambling was introduced and flourished in the Bahamas. And it was only six years after the PLP came to power that Mr Francis was put in the awkward position of having to choose between his government and his conscience. The issue was gambling. Here the politician had to give way to the conscience of the Baptist preacher. He voted against his government on the gambling issue and in 1973 had to resign from the Pindling cabinet.
That was bad enough, but a vindictive prime minister never forgave him his mortal sin. Thrown on the political trash heap, Mr Francis was hounded from pillar to post. A respected teacher before he entered politics, he could not get a job at the College of the Bahamas. As a matter of fact, he found it difficult after that to make a living.
As he crossed the street at one of Sir Lynden's political meetings, the "Chief" looked down from his lofty dais, spotted his former finance minister and sneered that there went Carlton Francis, but all he could see was a three-piece suit. It was true, Mr Francis then dying of cancer, was a shell of his former self and all one could see was a baggy suit. The crowd jeered. It was cruel.
But where was his church, which had declared that it would never support a government that got its revenue from gambling? Mr Gibson said that in his research, he could not find that Mr Francis' church came to his support when, having been abandoned by his party, he decided to run for parliament from the South Beach constituency. Of course, with his party against him and no help from his church, he lost the contest.
Mr Gibson said that "the record will show that they abandoned him and quickly realigned themselves with the same political party which he had abandoned on their behalf."
And, said Mr Gibson, "to complicate this issue many leading Churchmen of the day then accepted positions of significance from the same political party which had expanded casino gambling. These princes and princesses now piously sat as secretary generals and parliamentarians in the political organization which had ushered in the very same expansion, which they previously had vociferously argued against...
"And so the question begs an answer," said Mr Gibson, "what did they do for the Prince of their Church, Carlton Elisha Francis who sided with his Church on the gambling issue and gave up his cabinet portfolio? Absolutely nothing. The man could not even get the pastorship of a recognizable Church in this denomination."
Mr Gibson revived this bit of history to advise Bahamians to hold their own counsel in what they believed was best for them and their families and not be guided by special interest groups.
In the debate on whether gambling -- the numbers game -- should be made legal, he said the "people have the inalienable right to choose for themselves."
Mr Gibson ended his presentation in the House with a quote from Mr Francis: "They who stand on the sand banks of history trying to hold back the tide will be swept up in the flood gates of insurrection."
tribune242 editorial
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson: Bahamians must understand that to save their country they must be prepared to work together and make sacrifices
Not the time to mislead the people
tribune242 editorial:
KENNEDY MP Kenyatta Gibson, who came from the bosom of the PLP almost two years ago, first as an Independent MP, then as a full fledged FNM, had sound advice for his former political colleagues during the recent Budget debate.
"These are times," he said, "in which all Bahamians must understand that to save their country they must be prepared to work together and make sacrifices."
"To mislead the people into thinking that this belt tightening Budget is a result of the FNM Government's inefficiency or incompetence is an insult to the people's intelligence," he told the Opposition who have accused the Prime Minister of not protecting the Bahamas from the present world crisis.
We are all in this together. When Bahamians sit in front of their TV sets at night and see the people of the world losing their jobs and closing their businesses, and countries heading for bankruptcy, they must understand that the Bahamas cannot stop the world and get off -- they are a part of the whole. The biblical seven lean years are here and now.
"The current economic crisis in which we, like other countries in this region are plunged, can best be resolved and remedied where there is a conciliatory atmosphere of understanding and cooperation of all concerned," Mr Gibson said.
"But if we create rancour and doubt and self pity and make people feel that someone did something to them and we know this not to be true, then we are guilty of the sin of omission and falsehood and are not worthy to be called Leaders of the people."
Mr Gibson told the MPs that "we can rise above partisan politics, especially in times of national crisis and danger" and together "lift our country and our people to greater heights."
Today's Bahamians cannot pass today's troubles onto unborn generations, he said. "It is now our watch and together as one Bahamian people we have to fix it."
Mr Gibson pointed out that the FNM government did not cause the recent problems on Wall Street, nor did it dismantle Lehman Brothers, or create the US's sub prime mortgage debate. It didn't even drive up oil prices or cook the books of leading US banking institutions, nor did it defraud the SEC - all of which started the economic ball rolling downhill at an ever increasing pace. No one could stop the roll and so country after country -- the Bahamas included - was caught in its wake as it picked up momentum and dragged each one of them to the bottom. Each nation now has to pick itself up and climb to the top. Politicians who would divide and pull the people down at this time are an unwelcome and useless appendage. It would be best to dismiss them and move on alone.
Mr Gibson said that "these are the easily verifiable facts but some persons true to their form, would prefer not to lead but to mislead and misguide and misinform."
Mr Gibson pointed out that James Smith, the current chairman of CFAL, was the main architect of Opposition Leader Perry Christie's economic policy when Mr Christie was prime minister (2002-2007). He is a man of "impeccable" credentials as an economist, Mr Gibson pointed out. No one would dispute that observation.
"PLP's from Inagua in the south," said Mr Gibson, "to Grand Bahama in the north have heralded his genius in budgetary exercise after budgetary exercise since 2002. After the Progressive Liberal Party's defeat in 2007, 'the word often came down' to the general public that the Progressive Liberal Party was supporting sentiments expressed by former Minister Smith."
Recognised as an expert on his subject, Mr Gibson, wondered why in this instance the PLP did not embrace Mr Smith's comments on the FNM's belt-tightening budget with "its usual eagerness and zeal."
According Mr Smith "both the public and private sectors need to appreciate that for the next few months, maybe even another year, it will be tough and everyone needs to tighten their belts. I think the budget reflected that tone."
Fidelity Bank's president Gregory Bethel, another respected member of the financial community, echoed Mr Smith's assessment. "These are the right moves," said Mr Bethel, "to get the country's economy back on tract."
Continued Mr Bethel: "The Prime Minister has set the tone. He said that this is a time for sacrifice, service and reform and the Bahamian people must understand that it is not business as usual. Everybody in our society must share in the sacrifice, share in the pain and share in the reform."
Said Mr Gibson: "This is our age, indeed our time, indeed our call to sacrifice for our country."
He pointed to David Cameron, Britain's new prime minister, as an example of how Mr Cameron used the UK's harsh economic environment to explain to the British people why his government had to introduce a similar austere budget as the rest of the world. Mr Cameron said that this was an opportunity to explain to the people the purpose behind the pain.
Mr Gibson told the Opposition that if they "call this a budget of pain, it must be characterised as pain for a noble cause. That cause being the continued viability of the nation."
For the Opposition to move in the opposite direction, especially at this moment of crisis, just means that they are headed towards the void of political oblivion.
June 29, 2010
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial:
KENNEDY MP Kenyatta Gibson, who came from the bosom of the PLP almost two years ago, first as an Independent MP, then as a full fledged FNM, had sound advice for his former political colleagues during the recent Budget debate.
"These are times," he said, "in which all Bahamians must understand that to save their country they must be prepared to work together and make sacrifices."
"To mislead the people into thinking that this belt tightening Budget is a result of the FNM Government's inefficiency or incompetence is an insult to the people's intelligence," he told the Opposition who have accused the Prime Minister of not protecting the Bahamas from the present world crisis.
We are all in this together. When Bahamians sit in front of their TV sets at night and see the people of the world losing their jobs and closing their businesses, and countries heading for bankruptcy, they must understand that the Bahamas cannot stop the world and get off -- they are a part of the whole. The biblical seven lean years are here and now.
"The current economic crisis in which we, like other countries in this region are plunged, can best be resolved and remedied where there is a conciliatory atmosphere of understanding and cooperation of all concerned," Mr Gibson said.
"But if we create rancour and doubt and self pity and make people feel that someone did something to them and we know this not to be true, then we are guilty of the sin of omission and falsehood and are not worthy to be called Leaders of the people."
Mr Gibson told the MPs that "we can rise above partisan politics, especially in times of national crisis and danger" and together "lift our country and our people to greater heights."
Today's Bahamians cannot pass today's troubles onto unborn generations, he said. "It is now our watch and together as one Bahamian people we have to fix it."
Mr Gibson pointed out that the FNM government did not cause the recent problems on Wall Street, nor did it dismantle Lehman Brothers, or create the US's sub prime mortgage debate. It didn't even drive up oil prices or cook the books of leading US banking institutions, nor did it defraud the SEC - all of which started the economic ball rolling downhill at an ever increasing pace. No one could stop the roll and so country after country -- the Bahamas included - was caught in its wake as it picked up momentum and dragged each one of them to the bottom. Each nation now has to pick itself up and climb to the top. Politicians who would divide and pull the people down at this time are an unwelcome and useless appendage. It would be best to dismiss them and move on alone.
Mr Gibson said that "these are the easily verifiable facts but some persons true to their form, would prefer not to lead but to mislead and misguide and misinform."
Mr Gibson pointed out that James Smith, the current chairman of CFAL, was the main architect of Opposition Leader Perry Christie's economic policy when Mr Christie was prime minister (2002-2007). He is a man of "impeccable" credentials as an economist, Mr Gibson pointed out. No one would dispute that observation.
"PLP's from Inagua in the south," said Mr Gibson, "to Grand Bahama in the north have heralded his genius in budgetary exercise after budgetary exercise since 2002. After the Progressive Liberal Party's defeat in 2007, 'the word often came down' to the general public that the Progressive Liberal Party was supporting sentiments expressed by former Minister Smith."
Recognised as an expert on his subject, Mr Gibson, wondered why in this instance the PLP did not embrace Mr Smith's comments on the FNM's belt-tightening budget with "its usual eagerness and zeal."
According Mr Smith "both the public and private sectors need to appreciate that for the next few months, maybe even another year, it will be tough and everyone needs to tighten their belts. I think the budget reflected that tone."
Fidelity Bank's president Gregory Bethel, another respected member of the financial community, echoed Mr Smith's assessment. "These are the right moves," said Mr Bethel, "to get the country's economy back on tract."
Continued Mr Bethel: "The Prime Minister has set the tone. He said that this is a time for sacrifice, service and reform and the Bahamian people must understand that it is not business as usual. Everybody in our society must share in the sacrifice, share in the pain and share in the reform."
Said Mr Gibson: "This is our age, indeed our time, indeed our call to sacrifice for our country."
He pointed to David Cameron, Britain's new prime minister, as an example of how Mr Cameron used the UK's harsh economic environment to explain to the British people why his government had to introduce a similar austere budget as the rest of the world. Mr Cameron said that this was an opportunity to explain to the people the purpose behind the pain.
Mr Gibson told the Opposition that if they "call this a budget of pain, it must be characterised as pain for a noble cause. That cause being the continued viability of the nation."
For the Opposition to move in the opposite direction, especially at this moment of crisis, just means that they are headed towards the void of political oblivion.
June 29, 2010
tribune242 editorial
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Malcolm Adderley and Kenyatta Gibson accused of 'Christie betrayal'
tribune242:
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts has accused Malcolm Adderley and Kenyatta Gibson of plotting an unsuccessful attempt to try to "destabilise" the opposition party and diminish its leader.
In a speech containing sexual references given at a rally in the Elizabeth constituency on Thursday night, Mr Roberts denied that the actions of either men have left the PLP weaker.
Mr Gibson and Mr Adderley quit the PLP in the last year and a half, citing a lack of support for party leader Perry Christie.
Alleging that the two betrayed "our kind-hearted leader" after he personally "secured their shaky political futures" Mr Roberts said "time has revealed the true nature of politicians like Malcolm Adderley and Kenyatta Gibson."
He encouraged those gathered at the rally to ensure that they are not "bought" by the FNM but to vote PLP in the upcoming by-election in Elizabeth, where Mr Adderley resigned as MP on Wednesday.
Mr Roberts belittled the significance of 64-year-old Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP and from politics.
He suggested that Mr Adderley, who is rumoured to be set to take up a judicial appointment at the recommendation of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, will find himself with few options within "three years" now that he has left the PLP.
The same sentiment was expressed with respect to Mr Gibson, the MP for Kennedy who quit the PLP to serve as an independent before joining the FNM months later -- like Mr Adderley, dropping his political bombshell days before the forty-third anniversary of Majority rule.
The chairman defended the PLP's reaction in the wake of weeks of reports that Mr Adderley was set to leave the party, stating that the party should not be "hated on" because "we don't just wake up one morning and fire people and destroy people. That is Hubert Ingraham's style."
He condemned the governance of the FNM administration since 2007, blaming the "rudderless" government for "taking the country backward."
"They never take responsibility for anything, blaming this sorry state of affairs on a global recession," Mr Roberts said.
He accused the media of failing to do its job in holding the government to account and being too interested in "nit-picking over foolishness" in the PLP.
"Now to make this same indictment on the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party is ludicrous. No one is asleep at any wheel in the PLP. If anyone is sleeping in this country it is members of the fourth estate and other commentators who refuse to compare and contrast the performance of this FNM Government to that of the immediate past PLP-Christie administration," Mr Roberts stated.
Called for comment on Mr Robert's accusations yesterday, Mr Gibson said he "would not condescend" to respond, while Mr Adderley did not return phone calls on the matter.
January 09, 2010
tribune242
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts has accused Malcolm Adderley and Kenyatta Gibson of plotting an unsuccessful attempt to try to "destabilise" the opposition party and diminish its leader.
In a speech containing sexual references given at a rally in the Elizabeth constituency on Thursday night, Mr Roberts denied that the actions of either men have left the PLP weaker.
Mr Gibson and Mr Adderley quit the PLP in the last year and a half, citing a lack of support for party leader Perry Christie.
Alleging that the two betrayed "our kind-hearted leader" after he personally "secured their shaky political futures" Mr Roberts said "time has revealed the true nature of politicians like Malcolm Adderley and Kenyatta Gibson."
He encouraged those gathered at the rally to ensure that they are not "bought" by the FNM but to vote PLP in the upcoming by-election in Elizabeth, where Mr Adderley resigned as MP on Wednesday.
Mr Roberts belittled the significance of 64-year-old Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP and from politics.
He suggested that Mr Adderley, who is rumoured to be set to take up a judicial appointment at the recommendation of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, will find himself with few options within "three years" now that he has left the PLP.
The same sentiment was expressed with respect to Mr Gibson, the MP for Kennedy who quit the PLP to serve as an independent before joining the FNM months later -- like Mr Adderley, dropping his political bombshell days before the forty-third anniversary of Majority rule.
The chairman defended the PLP's reaction in the wake of weeks of reports that Mr Adderley was set to leave the party, stating that the party should not be "hated on" because "we don't just wake up one morning and fire people and destroy people. That is Hubert Ingraham's style."
He condemned the governance of the FNM administration since 2007, blaming the "rudderless" government for "taking the country backward."
"They never take responsibility for anything, blaming this sorry state of affairs on a global recession," Mr Roberts said.
He accused the media of failing to do its job in holding the government to account and being too interested in "nit-picking over foolishness" in the PLP.
"Now to make this same indictment on the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party is ludicrous. No one is asleep at any wheel in the PLP. If anyone is sleeping in this country it is members of the fourth estate and other commentators who refuse to compare and contrast the performance of this FNM Government to that of the immediate past PLP-Christie administration," Mr Roberts stated.
Called for comment on Mr Robert's accusations yesterday, Mr Gibson said he "would not condescend" to respond, while Mr Adderley did not return phone calls on the matter.
January 09, 2010
tribune242
Friday, January 8, 2010
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader Perry Christie denies undermining character of Malcolm Adderly
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
PLP leader Perry Christie yesterday refuted accusations that he undermined or attacked the character of Malcolm Adderley, saying his behaviour towards the former MP was characterised by "extreme patience, extreme tolerance and sympathetic understanding."
Mr Christie claimed that he and the PLP as a whole exercised "forbearance" towards Mr Adderley even as the MP for Elizabeth - who spoke in parliament yesterday to announce his resignation from politics after resigning from the PLP over the weekend - displayed "what the country regarded as an attitude of indifference" towards his fellow PLPs.
He spoke of how he personally supported Mr Adderley as he sought a nomination in the 2007 general election, to the extent of investing "personal resources" in his candidacy.
"It would be disingenuous for me to state that I am not disappointed by this course of action now taken by the MP for Elizabeth.
"It would be more than disingenuous of me if I were to profess not to be disappointed in the manner in which the course of action unfolded, not only today but in the days and weeks that preceded today.
"But what must be absolutely clear is that the MP for Elizabeth is his own man and he must order himself in the way he feels he should," Mr Christie told parliament.
The PLP leader's defensive comments came as he faced the second round of accusations in a year - the first coming from Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson, who quit the PLP and joined the FNM in 2009 - that he has "viciously" belittled one of his own MPs, undermining their position as a representative.
Days after resigning from the PLP, Mr Adderley reasoned in parliament yesterday that his "difficult decision" to quit politics altogether was informed by his belief that the constituents of Elizabeth "deserve better" than an MP who cannot properly represent them because he has been undermined by a lack of support from his party's leadership.
The ex-MP, whose resignation took effect yesterday at 5.30pm, said he and his family suffered the "worst personal experience (they had) ever faced" during the seven and a half years he was an MP as his relationship with Mr Christie went from bad to worse.
He claimed he suffered "vicious politics and hatred" from those "wretched beings outside the boundary" of his constituency and was unable to do what he would have liked for his constituents during Mr Christie's tenure as prime minister.
As with Kenyatta Gibson when he quit the PLP in 2008, Mr Adderley revealed long-standing concerns about Mr Christie's ability to lead and suggested that the PLP leader had engaged in behind-the-scenes tactics against those with whom he had disagreements.
Responding to Mr Adderley, Mr Christie instead painted a picture of an MP who had lost interest in his party and constituents and whose decision to leave politics had more to do with his own political deal-making than consideration of the best interests of his constituents.
It has been rumored but not confirmed that Mr Adderley is in short order due to accept an appointment, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, as a Supreme Court judge and he has been accused of being embittered by Mr Christie's failure to give him a Cabinet post during the previous PLP administration.
Mr Christie said: "The truth is we all know that this is not the end of the story and indeed the proverbial penny hasn't yet dropped. We wait to see those acts in the drama that has already been scripted but not yet played out. There is more to this than meets the eye. We all stand alert pending a major announcement yet to come."
The PLP leader said that in the wake of Mr Adderley's resignation, which leaves Elizabeth without a representative, the party will be carrying out consultations both with the people in that area and "the relevant (party) councils" to determine the way forward.
Some political insiders have suggested that the party may not see it as worthwhile to field a candidate in the by-election that will now result from Mr Adderley's departure given the hefty cost of doing so and the possibility they may lose the seat anyway.
Mr Christie added: "I can assure the nation that we are in no way deterred by the events that have unfolded. We will not be deflected from our work which . . . has always been for the betterment of the Bahamian people."
January 07, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
PLP leader Perry Christie yesterday refuted accusations that he undermined or attacked the character of Malcolm Adderley, saying his behaviour towards the former MP was characterised by "extreme patience, extreme tolerance and sympathetic understanding."
Mr Christie claimed that he and the PLP as a whole exercised "forbearance" towards Mr Adderley even as the MP for Elizabeth - who spoke in parliament yesterday to announce his resignation from politics after resigning from the PLP over the weekend - displayed "what the country regarded as an attitude of indifference" towards his fellow PLPs.
He spoke of how he personally supported Mr Adderley as he sought a nomination in the 2007 general election, to the extent of investing "personal resources" in his candidacy.
"It would be disingenuous for me to state that I am not disappointed by this course of action now taken by the MP for Elizabeth.
"It would be more than disingenuous of me if I were to profess not to be disappointed in the manner in which the course of action unfolded, not only today but in the days and weeks that preceded today.
"But what must be absolutely clear is that the MP for Elizabeth is his own man and he must order himself in the way he feels he should," Mr Christie told parliament.
The PLP leader's defensive comments came as he faced the second round of accusations in a year - the first coming from Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson, who quit the PLP and joined the FNM in 2009 - that he has "viciously" belittled one of his own MPs, undermining their position as a representative.
Days after resigning from the PLP, Mr Adderley reasoned in parliament yesterday that his "difficult decision" to quit politics altogether was informed by his belief that the constituents of Elizabeth "deserve better" than an MP who cannot properly represent them because he has been undermined by a lack of support from his party's leadership.
The ex-MP, whose resignation took effect yesterday at 5.30pm, said he and his family suffered the "worst personal experience (they had) ever faced" during the seven and a half years he was an MP as his relationship with Mr Christie went from bad to worse.
He claimed he suffered "vicious politics and hatred" from those "wretched beings outside the boundary" of his constituency and was unable to do what he would have liked for his constituents during Mr Christie's tenure as prime minister.
As with Kenyatta Gibson when he quit the PLP in 2008, Mr Adderley revealed long-standing concerns about Mr Christie's ability to lead and suggested that the PLP leader had engaged in behind-the-scenes tactics against those with whom he had disagreements.
Responding to Mr Adderley, Mr Christie instead painted a picture of an MP who had lost interest in his party and constituents and whose decision to leave politics had more to do with his own political deal-making than consideration of the best interests of his constituents.
It has been rumored but not confirmed that Mr Adderley is in short order due to accept an appointment, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, as a Supreme Court judge and he has been accused of being embittered by Mr Christie's failure to give him a Cabinet post during the previous PLP administration.
Mr Christie said: "The truth is we all know that this is not the end of the story and indeed the proverbial penny hasn't yet dropped. We wait to see those acts in the drama that has already been scripted but not yet played out. There is more to this than meets the eye. We all stand alert pending a major announcement yet to come."
The PLP leader said that in the wake of Mr Adderley's resignation, which leaves Elizabeth without a representative, the party will be carrying out consultations both with the people in that area and "the relevant (party) councils" to determine the way forward.
Some political insiders have suggested that the party may not see it as worthwhile to field a candidate in the by-election that will now result from Mr Adderley's departure given the hefty cost of doing so and the possibility they may lose the seat anyway.
Mr Christie added: "I can assure the nation that we are in no way deterred by the events that have unfolded. We will not be deflected from our work which . . . has always been for the betterment of the Bahamian people."
January 07, 2010
tribune242
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