Prime Minister Perry Christie.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
DNA Leader Branville McCartney yesterday forecast that Prime Minister Perry Christie will run again as leader of the PLP.
Mr McCartney said it was unclear who would emerge as the frontrunner of the party should Mr Christie step aside, but underscored that Mr Christie's influence would ultimately determine who became the next leader.
He said there would be no "if, ands, or butts" that Mr Christie would remain as leader if he decided to run again.
He said that decision would depend on "whoever the good Prime Minister decides or puts his backing behind”.
Mr McCartney became the latest political figure to offer insight on the debate surrounding who could potentially be the next leader of the PLP during a press conference Friday.
As it stands, four names have emerged in debate surrounding the PLP leadership: Deputy Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, and Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald.
On Thursday, former FNM Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson said he believes Mr Davis is the "fellow to beat", but said that depends on whether or not Mr Christie endorses Mr Wilchcombe for the party's leadership.
"I don't think the Prime Minister is going to step down," Mr McCartney said on Friday. "The Prime Minister is going, in my view, he's going to run again. The Prime Minister will also determine in his party he has the support, I know he has the support in his party as to whether or not he runs again.
"If he decides to run again he remains the leader, no if s, ands or butts about that. And quite frankly if he does not run again, his influence will determine who becomes the next leader. So in my view, and I'm not getting into the PLP's internal politics, but just from an outsider's observation, I think whoever the good Prime Minister decides or puts his backing behind, they will win."
On Sunday, Mr Wilchcombe revealed he has interest in leading the PLP and if he had the chance to become Prime Minister he would take it.
Then on Tuesday, Mr Davis said that he was "ready for the job" if there were a vacancy. Both men said their plans depended on whether Mr Christie offered himself for re-election.
Mr Mitchell remained tightlipped on the matter when asked earlier this week and Mr Fitzgerald has not yet offered comment on the issue.
Mr McCartney added: "I see where Mr Brave Davis, who is the Deputy Prime Minister, has indicated that he is ready to lead. I understand when, prior to that, the Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, also indicated that he is willing.
"But both persons indicated that they are only willing to do that if the Prime Minister steps down. Smart, smart, smart move, because again, if the Prime Minister decides to run I think he wins hands down - in his party that is."
Mr Christie, who is currently serving his second, non-consecutive term, has not given any clear indication of his political future.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 10 months ago
Christie is now so self-infatuated and delusional, he could not care less whether he takes the PLP down for a count that they will never again be able to stand up from. Just look at what Ingraham did to the FNM. Both the PLP and FNM now suffer from so much political deadweight and ill-will from the Bahamian people that the electorate are ready to vote for anyone who has no allegiance to either of these political parties that have together destroyed the quality of life and standard of living for all but the self-anointed political elite and their families and business cronies. Whoever runs as an independent in my constituency with absolutely no known or whispered ties to the FNM, PLP and DNA will more than likely get my vote if I consider them to be honest, intelligent, vibrant, hardworking and loving of the Bahamian people. I relish the idea of a group of such independents coming together immediately after being elected to form two or more entirely new political parties in order to put spikes in the hearts of the PLP, FNM and DNA once and for all eternal time.
duppyVAT 8 years, 10 months ago
Yep ............... we are looking at Mugabe 2.0 .......... but what can Bran do about it??????
John 8 years, 10 months ago
You must now be careful of what you post. The political operatives are about the business of hacking accounts and attempting to identify posters. #smartphones.
Zakary 8 years, 10 months ago
You must now be careful of what you post.
Yes you must have discretion with how and what you write on these platforms, but if you want to spread information with boldness you must avail yourself with knowledge.
Do not use smartphones to post or write sensitive information to any website or social media platform, those devices are so exploitable and vulnerable it's not even funny. It disturbs me to watch how my fellow Bahamians use smartphones.
If you know a bit of coding you'll understand that this site is also vulnerable in multiple ways, but you are safe from identification as long as your tribune account is not associable to any platform that contains your private information.
For the love of all that is holy, please do not use the same passwords across accounts! Check out this website below for a crash course on how to protect your backside on the internet.
https://www.privacytools.io/">
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John 8 years, 10 months ago
You must now be careful of what you post. The political operatives are about the business of hacking accounts and attempting to identify posters. #smartphones are already tapped.
duppyVAT 8 years, 10 months ago
Is the PLP becoming that desperate........ is BJs NSA up and running???
John 8 years, 10 months ago
Perry Christie, Brave Davis, Mike Halkitas, John Rolle, Leslie Miller, Bernard Nottage, Ellison Greenslade, Keith Bell et.al, need to pack themselves on a bus (ok two buses since some ain't getting along with each other), and take a forensic tour of the areas from the foot of the hill in the North, to Nassau Street in the West and including Chippingham, to Robinson Road in the South, and Mackey Street in the East and witness first hand what is happening to many of the residents in the area and the small businesses. Many mom and pop stores and local businesses, including Blue Hill Meat Mart and Star Dust, and just about every laundry, have closed and most of the few stores that remain open have barely a can of cream and a loaf of bread on the shelves. The electricity is off in many of these shops and the owners sit in darkness with only hope in their hearts knowing, if something does not change, their demise will soon come. But guess what? the police are now in these areas checking these stores for business licenses. While most on the team seem cordial and willing to work with the owners, giving them time to get their licenses current, there is one big burly officer, who many say appear intoxicated, who is threatening to lock up these store keepers and making them shut their businesses down. Is this the caring government that said "help and hope is on the way?" Some concessions should be put in place to allow these people to get if only a conditional license so they can operate, and that 'pitbull' officer needs to be tamed.
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