Showing posts with label Paul Moss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Moss. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The People's Deliverance Party (PDP) has elected PLP leadership hopeful Paul Moss as its leader

New political party elects Paul Moss as leader

By ALISON LOWE
Business Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net



THE newly-formed People's Deliverance Party (PDP) has elected PLP leadership hopeful Paul Moss as its leader and intends to run a full slate of candidates in the next general election, according to sources within the grouping.

The PDP "already has 23 candidates" lined up to run in constituencies throughout New Providence and the Family Islands and will have a markedly "pro-Bahamian" platform.

"They intend to launch on May 24," said a source close to the party yesterday. In addition to attorney, Mr Moss, Grand Bahamians Troy Garvey, a former NDP member, and Glen Rolle, are said to both have taken executive positions in the PDP.

The PDP will join the Democratic National Alliance, headed by former FNM MP, Branville McCartney and the National Development Party, as yet another outside political force that will vie for political power in the general election, against the mainstream parties, the PLP and the FNM. Outside political party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement, headed by Cassius Stuart, was earlier this month absorbed into the governing FNM party.

"We believe the Bahamian people are ready for it. Everywhere we go people are saying that they need change and want an alternative and we think that will bode well for us. We basically see this as the best time where we have the opportunity to come out and have an affect on the Bahamian people in a real way and we're excited about their chances," said a source within the PDP.

Speaking about the PDP's philosophy, the source said: "We believe we will run The Bahamas for Bahamians. We're not really moved by what we see in terms of these international companies and persons who may dictate to our government. Our party frowns on the decision of the Prime Minister to relax restraints on foreign ownership in restaurants and entertainment. We believe this is how you swallow up a culture.

"This movement is really about getting the Bahamas back on track. We went off track several decades ago, that is to say there was not a deliberate approach to assisting the Bahamas. The approach of this party will be very deliberate. That is what sets us apart."

As for how the party intends to finance its campaign, the source said the PDP has "no doubt" that it can do so. However, they added that they hope their ambitions for public office can also be facilitated by what they perceive to be a desire for change amongst Bahamians akin to that which brought the PLP to power for the first time.

"If one goes back to mid 60s where the PLP was vying to become the government they did not have all the resources either but there was a moment in that period when Bahamians said 'We are not going to be put on or turned on by money, we are going to do right by our children' and we believe this is that moment again.

"The money is fleeting but if you do what is right you will see the benefits for your children. We have sufficient funds but we know the moment is also right for a 1960s-type movement," said the source.

April 26, 2011

tribune242

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Renward Wells - The National Development Party (NDP) leader wants to immediately merge his party with Branville McCartney’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA)

NDP leader wants party to join DNA

By JUAN McCARTNEY
Guardian Senior Reporter
juan@nasguard.com



The National Development Party (NDP) appears to have dissention in the ranks as its leader, Renward Wells, is reportedly trying to have the party immediately merge with Bamboo Town Member of Parliament Branville McCartney’s newly formed Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

In e-mails leaked by at least one NDP member yesterday, Wells urged members of his party, as well as the People’s Deliverance Party, headed by attorney Paul Moss, and Workers Party leader Rodney Moncur, to join the DNA by tomorrow.

NDP members were said to be concerned that McCartney’s leadership would be automatic without members having a say.

Wells claimed that Moss agreed to join the DNA and accept McCartney as leader.

“The solution is for all of us to join the DNA, Bran leads, Paul and I agreed to that already, and the other positions voted on quickly,” said the leaked e-mail. “Obviously the NDP cannot nor do we desire to have our way in everything.”

However, a source close to Moss who did not wish to be identified, said that he never agreed to join the DNA.

NDP member Ethric Bowe discovered Moss’ position and sent a scathing response to Wells yesterday morning.

“Renward, I just spoke with Paul and he again categorically and absolutely denied what you claim in this e-mail,” wrote Bowe.

“…You are creating something far worse than (Prime Minister Hubert) Ingraham could ever create. DNA appears more dangerous than Hubert Ingraham could ever be and based on what you have done to date I would prefer to support Ingraham or (Progressive Liberal Party leader Perry) Christie than DNA.”

Bowe had expressed his desire to join the PLP if the NDP and the DNA could not come to terms.

NDP members were said to be meeting last night. Wells had called for a meeting with the DNA yesterday, but it is unclear if that was the same meeting.

On Tuesday, Wells claimed the NDP was invited to join the Free National Movement. The FNM yesterday denied Wells’ claim and said he initiated the talks.

4/14/2011

thenassauguardian

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The National Development Party (NDP) says the controversial $2.6 billion Baha Mar project is "not in the best interest" of the Bahamian people

Gov’t Told To Scrap Baha Mar
BY KARISSMA ROBINSON


The National Development Party (NDP) wants the government to scrap the controversial $2.6 billion Baha Mar project because in its current state it is "not in the best interest" of the Bahamian people.

"The deal is not good for Bahamians and that is the bottom line," said NDP member Renward Wells.

"The NDP calls on the Free National Movement (FNM) Government, which touts itself as being a party of accountability and transparency, to immediately table the entire Baha Mar deal. The Bahamian public should be able to see and have an open and honest discussion on this agreement."

Mr. Wells and prominent attorney Paul Moss were guests on the Love 97 talk show, On Point Monday night with host Rogan Smith, where they made it quite clear that the government is about to make a huge mistake.

"Looking at it in totality I am not sure that the financial benefits that the government is projecting is going to happen," said Mr. Wells.

Mr. Wells also objected to 265 acres of prime land being transferred before any construction begins on the project.

"We don’t believe in the sale of Bahamian land. The prime Minister stated that the land will be transferred in Fee simple and Baha Mar says they are paying for the land. I want to know who is right," he said.

Mr. Wells said that there are still a lot of questions that are left unanswered.

"Who will the government have review Baha Mar’s construction drawings for building code violations and design flaws? Who will the government have on-site to inspect and ensure that the design on the blueprint is adhered to?" he asked

Furthermore, Mr. Wells said there are a number of Bahamian mechanical and electrical engineers who are capable of designing such a project.

Mr. Moss said due to the poor state of the economy it seems as if the government would do almost anything to provide jobs.

"They will sell their souls to the devil to try to create jobs. They are not going to get it done that way. What is going to happen is an invasion of this country, strangers will take over your land and future generations will not know The Bahamas as we know it today," said Mr. Moss.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has already gone on record saying that if he was prime minister at the time, he would not have approved the Baha Mar deal.

"It is incredible that even after he said it was a bad deal; he is still going to go ahead with it," said Mr. Moss, who said the country cannot afford to go ahead with this project as it is.

"This deal, given what we know, must be renegotiated. We call on the FNM Government to re-negotiate this deal to ensure that the maximum benefits of this project accrue to Bahamians," he said.

As previously reported, House members will not debate the Baha Mar resolution today that deals with the foreign labour component of the agreement.

Baha Mar wants the government to approve more than 8,000 work permits for Chinese workers to work on the Cable Beach project.

Baha Mar officials have to first deal with their financial issues with Scotiabank.

Baha Mar has an outstanding $200 million loan with the bank.

September 22nd, 2010

jonesbahamas

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Holding people charged with murder for up to three years in Her Majesty's Prison without trial 'may be unconstitutional

Holding murder charged for up to three years 'may be unconstitutional'
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:



THE Government's intent to amend the law to hold people charged with murder in Her Majesty's Prison for up to three years without trial may be "unconstitutional", with some in the legal community arguing it will violate human rights.

Currently, a person charged with murder or another serious offence can be granted bail if they have not been brought to trial in a reasonable amount of time. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has indicated that his administration plans to specify in law that a reasonable amount of time would be three years.

It's a move by the Government to cut down on the number of offenders committing crimes while on bail, and assuage public outcry over those accused of murder being granted bail.

However, the decision has garnered criticism in the legal community.

Damian Gomez, partner in the law firm Chilcott Chambers, told The Tribune: "It's a violation of Article 20, it's a violation of Article 19 (of the constitution) and it's a violation of the common law which says that all citizens have the right not to be deprived of their liberty without some cause."

Mr Gomez, a former senator who has been practising law for more than 20 years, added that it is the fault of the police and prosecution for charging persons with serious offences without sufficient evidence in hand to try them quickly.

"If you charge someone with murder you ought to have enough evidence to proceed immediately. If you know the evidence that you have is insufficient to obtain a conviction, you have no basis then for charging them.

"The real issue is why haven't these people been tried within a reasonable amount of time?"

Attorney Paul Moss believes such a practice violates the human rights of innocent people who may be brought up on murder charges and are forced to languish behind bars for years while police and prosecution search for further evidence.

"Everyone wants a criminal to be locked up, but certainly people don't want the innocent to be locked up. Extending (holding) time to three years is not reasonable. I'm not sure that it's constitutional but certainly it is not the answer because all it means is that they are not on bail but after three years they will get bail and what do you do then, extend it to five years?

"If the government, because of its own failure, is unable to get people to court in a timely fashion, the constitution will not bend to them."

Last month, when speaking to Parliament about proposed amendments to the Bail Act and the issue of crime, Mr Ingraham said he is confident the changes will be lawful and stand up in court.

"The only time you cannot deny bail is when the person has not been tried within a reasonable period of time, but there is no such thing as an absolute right to bail, notwithstanding what anybody else says.

"And it is our intention in the Bahamas to propose that in the context of the Bahamas, a reasonable period of time is three years. We are satisfied that such a provision will withstand any challenge before all competent courts of jurisdiction for the Bahamas."

June 22, 2010

tribune242


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

PLP chief Melissa Sears 'offended' by party leader - Perry Christie's remarks

PLP chief 'offended' by Christie remarks
tribune242:


PLP CHIEF Melissa Sears quit her job as vice chairman because she was "offended" by verbal remarks made by party leader Perry Christie, The Tribune learned last night.

As speculation mounts surrounding her departure, it is being reported that she decided to resign following a meeting in Grand Bahama.

According to sources very close to the matter, Mr Christie was in Grand Bahama to rally the party's machinery sometime earlier this month. At this meeting, it was claimed, he made the point that he had "no time" for Ms Sears -- who was in earshot of the remark.

Although the comment was admittedly "harsh", one PLP source explained that the party leader was sending the message that he was aware of Ms Sears' alleged allegiance to other would-be leaders within the organisation.

"She was a known anti-Christie during the PLP convention and even before that. So he had to let her know that he was aware of that fact. In this (political) climate you have to do what you have to do," the source added.

When contacted for comment on the matter, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said he doubted that Mr Christie would make such a remark, and directed The Tribune to speak to the party leader directly.

However, repeated attempts to reach Mr Christie proved unsuccessful, and messages left were not returned up to press time last night.

While Ms Sears' alleged allegiance to one faction or the other is not known officially, it has been reported that she was a staunch supporter of PLP deputy leader challenger Obie Wilchcombe who came to her defence in yesterday's Tribune.

In that article, Mr Wilchcombe said Ms Sears was an "outstanding young woman" who still has a career in politics.

"She is an outstanding orator and has her hands around the issues facing people. She believes in people and has committed herself to helping the least amongst us. Her decision does not mean her political life is over or her relationship with the PLP," said the West End and Bimini MP.

However, a former leadership candidate during the PLP's 51st National Convention in 2008, Paul Moss, said the PLP has to address the fact that the party is losing good and qualified persons "left, right, and centre."

Having resigned from the PLP himself, Mr Moss asked the public to question why "good partisan people" are incapable of having a voice and even staying with the party.

"The party's inability to have introspection to prepare itself moving forward to being the alternative to the government, they have not done that. They are trying to win at all costs. And I don't think that is going to work, even against a third party," he said.

April 27, 2010

tribune242

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Paul Moss resigns from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)

By Keva Lightbourne~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com:



Attorney Paul Moss, who mounted an unsuccessful challenge against Perry Christie for the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party at its November 2009 convention, has resigned from the PLP.

"The same careful and considered deliberations that I referenced in 2007 have now propelled me to this decision," said Moss, who became a card-carrying member of the party in May 2007.

"Then I felt that the PLP was at the stage where it would have to regroup and rebuild. I believed that the party needed an injection of new blood to shore up and bolster not just its image but its very existence. I advocated that the party should keep all that was good and solid, while identifying, embracing and utilizing new talents with which to build.

"Almost three years later, that has not happened. Much of the PLP leadership belongs to an earlier generation, where old ideas and old ways of doing things remain, stubbornly the order of the day. There appears to be no room or patience for fresh, new perspectives. And so the time has come for me to make my exit."

The statement announcing Moss' departure from the PLP was sent from his Dominion Management office on Montrose Avenue. Moss is reportedly in Zurich, Switzerland.

When contacted yesterday for comment, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said he had not received the letter of resignation, but gathered that the move was made.

"We would just like to wish Mr. Moss all the success in whatever he is going to be doing," Roberts said.

He also expressed personal views in responding to the resignation.

Roberts said, "Mr. Moss is clearly not a team player. He seems to be an individual who is a loner. He wants to be able to act as though he is a part of an organization, but then again as an individual. He obviously had difficulties working within the framework of the Progressive Liberal Party or may indeed have problems working in any other political party, but nonetheless we wish him all the best."

Roberts added that people come and go in political organizations all the time.

"It's no big deal," he said.

Moss suffered a big defeat in that leadership race where he was only able to garner 23 votes to Christie's 1,158 votes. Bain and Grants Town MP Bernard Nottage, who also vied for the leadership position, captured 204 votes.

That win for Christie silenced many critics within and outside the PLP, as he secured more than 80 percent of the votes cast, cementing his place as the unquestionable leader of the party.

According to some political observers, Moss' decision to run against the top man in the party dealt a serious blow to his political aspirations.

But that has not deterred Moss from forging ahead as he still plans to seek a seat in Parliament.

He plans to run as a candidate in St. Cecilia in the 2012 general election.


March 17, 2010

thenassauguardian