The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Candidates’ Nomination Committee for the ruling Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement have not selected their respective candidates for the West End and Bimini constituency. The contested bye-election will be held during the month of November. I have no doubt that the iconic PLP will recapture that constituency hands down. This one will be for Obie.

Several potential nominees within both parties eagerly sought the nod from their respective party. A Bishop Ricardo Grant was selected by the FNM and Mr Kingsley Smith, an attorney-at-law and Chief Passport Officer, was selected by the PLP. Let the games begin. There will be others who will offer as ‘independents’ or promote themselves as candidates for quasi-political organisations. I submit that any such fringe candidate would draw votes away from the FNM.

There is no revolt within the PLP and the party has ONE leader in the form of the Most Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, MP. KC (PLP-Cat Island). The Hon Fred A Mitchell (PLP-Fox Hill), Minister of Foreign Affairs, is the National Chairman of the party and he, obviously, speaks for the collective party and its leadership from the top to the bottom. There is NO division much less a revolt within the PLP.

On the nomination process, many presented themselves as potential standard bearers for their respective party, but only one could have been chosen. That is simply the luck of the draw. Yes, there would be lingering disappoint expressed by those who were not selected but in retail politics that is the nature of the beast.

Some say that within the PLP there is massive disappointment with the choice of Brother Kingsley Smith. As a life long supporter of the PLP I am convinced that any such expressed or perceived ‘disappoint’ will blow over and true believers will circle the political wagons and hit the ground running to a magnificent victory in West End and Bimini. Those who are PLPs will stand and deliver for the party in the voting booths. Those who are disrespectful to the leadership without cause can either walk the proverbial plank or leave the party. Our undisputed Leader, Brave, has nowhere to go anytime soon, The Lord willing.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

October 25 2023.