PLP insiders fear an FNM operative may have been planted inside their party to disrupt the party's public relations machinery - and possibility re-ignite a leadership battle before the next general election

PLPs fear 'FNM operative' may be within party
tribune242


PLP insiders fear an FNM operative may have been planted inside their organisation with intent to disrupt the party's public relations machinery and possibility re-ignite a leadership battle before the next general election.

As a political organisation that prides itself on having a "large tent" and being open to new talent, a number of PLP insiders have expressed their deep seated concerns over the motives of a number of persons who have skyrocketed to "influential" positions within the party overnight.

Seeking access to the party's decision-making process on key political matters, and even trying to gain management of the PLP's website by some of these persons has rubbed some PLPs "the wrong way".

One party insider told The Tribune yesterday they fear with the multitude of persons "offering" assistance - especially in the upkeep of their online campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace - it is becoming harder and harder for the organisation to ensure its security.

"In this day and age, every politician, every party must maintain an online presence. It is required. Before it was a luxury, but no more. These websites and pages require maintenance, and depending on who has access to them, the damage to the party could be significant.

"So if you have an MP's Facebook page, for instance, being managed by someone whose sole job it is to keep it updated suddenly decide to go off on a tangent, that could affect the party's image or standing on a particular issue. He or she could have 5,000 followers online and if an update goes out saying that they despise the leader and he should be removed from office, you see what kind of drama could unfold," the source explained.

This kind of online "guerilla warfare" as it was described, is said to be happening every day on social websites.

"Today you might have five or six profiles on Facebook being used by the same FNM operative leaving messages on someone's page. There was the practice where someone would make up a fake profile of politicians and leave ignorant or embarrassing comments, but now it appears a more sinister practice has emerged. And if history has taught us anything, there isn't a better weapon against a well defended force than a Trojan horse," she said.

October 26, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International