ROBYN LYNES, SHANE GIBSON AND FRED MITCHELL.
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Cabinet minister Shane Gibson and attorney Robyn Lynes have applied to be chair of the Progressive Liberal Party, setting up a race with the incumbent office holder, Fred Mitchell, at the party’s convention on November 9 and 10.
Nominations for offices in the PLP closed yesterday, with no one applying to challenge PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis and deputy leader Chester Cooper up to press time, according to multiple sources.
A move for Mr Gibson to challenge Mr Mitchell grew after he was denied the party’s nomination for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency.
Tension between the two men became public in the lead-up to last Friday’s bitter National General Council meeting, when Kingsley Smith was ratified as the candidate in the upcoming by-election.
Although Mr Davis’ position is not up for grabs, the outcome of the race for chair could reflect his grip on the party. Insiders said he continues to support Mr Mitchell, who defeated Obie Wilchcombe to be chairman in 2017.
Ms Lynes, 40, is a former senator and was the PLP’s national vice chair from 2009 to 2019.
The chair is responsible for the organs and apparatus of the party and is its chief executive officer, according to the PLP’s constitution. The chair presides over convention and NGC meetings.
The chair is, along with the party leader, the spokesperson for the party.
On Wednesday, Senator Quinton Lightbourne, a convention co-chair, said the PLP would discuss marital rape, legalising marijuana for recreational use and transitioning to a republic during closed sessions. Evening sessions will be open to the public.
Those seeking one of the top three positions in the PLP had to pay non-refundable fees: $2,500 for the leader, $2,000 for the deputy leader, and $1,500 for the chair.
Comments
Sickened 6 months ago
Bye-Bye Mitchell.
Maximilianotto 6 months ago
Dinosaurs 🦕 woke up one day to find out they are extinguished.
realityisnotPC 6 months ago
Anyone has got to be better than Mitchell...so hateful and xenophobic...the irony of him being Minister of Foreign Affairs when he hates foreigners. I guess his love of spending millions of dollars of taxpayers' money flying first class all over the world must outweigh his hatred of foreigners. In a First World country the amount he, and Brave, spend on unnecessary, luxurious travel here there and everywhere would be a career-ending scandal. But let's face it, whoever replaces him will probably do the same thing, just with a little less hate.
themessenger 6 months ago
@realityisnotPC, the office in contention is that of Party Chairman not Minister of Foreign Affairs, not that Ms. Lynes or Shame Gibson would object to taking over Freds high flying lifestyle.
Honestman 6 months ago
Mitchell and "Shingles" Gibson - both need to be put out to pasture. Yesterday's men with absolutely nothing to offer The Bahamas.
birdiestrachan 6 months ago
I will vote for Shane. Not that I still love Mr Mitchell. But he has enough to do
Sickened 6 months ago
Hold on... you can vote??? Yous a muck-a-muck?!?!?
sheeprunner12 6 months ago
Time for a change ................ Gravy train Davis & Shingles Shane, what a combo.
Anything is better than Faggot Fweddy ............. God knows, he is not worthy to represent good Christian Bahamian folk
TalRussell 6 months ago
The best seats to see the PLPs' Fireworks. --- May yet require voting ages Biminites' to puts the lid on the Freeport transported, later be hailing out Coopers Town Village in the Abaco Islands, --- The Right Honourable Comrade "Papa" Hubert Ingraham, --- Talking that.--- 'Twas clear that the contesting of the Bimini by-election, --- Was not going to offer the RedParty a real way forward as the King's Loyal Opposition. --- Yes?
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