By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister George Smith yesterday said he is considering a run as an independent candidate for the Exuma constituency if his party does not see him as a viable option for the 2017 general election.
Mr Smith, a former Exuma MP, said the island has been neglected and gone without a suitable MP since 1997. PLP MP Anthony Moss has represented the constituency since 2002.
This is something that Mr Smith told The Tribune has disadvantaged the island and its residents. He said he hopes the PLP selects an appropriate candidate for the next election cycle, but if not, he is prepared to come out of political retirement.
“I am a member in good standing of the Progressive Liberal Party,” Mr Smith said. “So my preference would be to run for my party. But if it goes otherwise I would not rule out running as an independent as both Prime Minister Perry Christie and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham did in 1987.
“However, it is my understanding that both the PLP and the Free National Movement are gathering their candidates. I am also under the impression that there is a general desire on the Progressive Liberal Party side to find a new candidate, possibly two, if the Boundaries Commission (splits the constituency).”
He added: “I for one acknowledge that Mr Moss has tried to do the best he could, but the fact remains that he hasn’t risen to the level of expectations. That is largely because some people are just better equipped than others when it comes to representing a constituency.
“But he lacked what was required for the people of Exuma. It was the fault of those who selected the political candidates. I don’t think Exuma hasn’t had good representation since 1997.”
Prior to the 2012 general election, Mr Smith criticised his party for moving forward with the nomination process of Mr Moss. At the time he suggested that Mr Moss was “mediocre”.
Last December, Mr Moss admitted that he had made inquiries about a foreign man on behalf of the man’s “distraught” Bahamian wife who came to him for help. At the time the man was being held at the Detention Centre and had been convicted of a sexual offence.
However, Mr Moss dismissed claims that the inquiries were an attempt to use his political position to have the Dominican man freed. His intervention had reportedly upset some residents in Exuma, The Tribune was told.
Mr Moss said at the time: “I can certainly tell you that his wife spoke to me and as a constituent of mine it is my duty to investigate. I went to the Detention Centre and I found out he had been there for more than a year – November 29 would have made it a year.
“So it was as a concerned member of Parliament that I thought it was my job to find out the reason why he was being held there.”
His comments came a day after The Tribune exclusively reported that Exuma residents were concerned that the man would be allowed into their community because a prominent figure was reportedly lobbying for his release from the Detention Centre.
Comments
banker 8 years, 11 months ago
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duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
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John 8 years, 11 months ago
money, money, money!!
asiseeit 8 years, 11 months ago
He must need money. Easy money is easy to spend, you just do not value it like money you actually work for.
jackbnimble 8 years, 11 months ago
Clearly he has deluded himself into thinking he is a viable candidate. Jezuz. Are things that bad?? Please stay out to pasture Mr. Smith!
duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
What did George Smith accomplish for the residents while he was a PLP Member of Parliament for Exuma???????? he should be proud to list his achievements.
Up to 1992, Exuma was as backward as any of the other Family Islands represented by other PLPs ................ like Pindling in South Andros, Moss in Acklins, Ford in Mayaguana, Knowles in Cat Island and his brother in Long Island
asiseeit 8 years, 11 months ago
The only money maker in Exuma in the 70's and 80's was drug smuggling. Plenty easy money, then, but we are paying dearly for it now!
realfreethinker 8 years, 11 months ago
Ha Ha HA
SP 8 years, 11 months ago
Recycled failures coupled with an ignorant electorate is a very dangerous combination and are the norm in Bahamas.
An MP's track records, accountability, and constituency accomplishments mean nothing until after he's re-elected and pulls the next disappearing act, and round of corrupt under the table deals.....Then the ignorant electorate cry, rattle sabers and complain about him for another 5 years.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
This is the LAST man who needs to be held up as a representative of anybody. He said on national tv on referendum night, "why does it matter how you make your money". That means drug money is ok, embezzlement money is ok, bribery money is ok, prostitution money is ok, the objective is to get money. What kind of country will we have if he is in a leadership seat?
Economist 8 years, 11 months ago
He fits the image of today's PLP cabinet members perfectly. I can understand why he would want to run.
Everything is back to the good old days as he knew it. His ways of the 1980's fit perfectly.
sansoucireader 8 years, 11 months ago
Do any of these people understand what it means to RETIRE?!
asiseeit 8 years, 11 months ago
One would think these old crusty set would be strait and ready to retire but for some reason many just keep haunting the Bahamian people. Maybe they spent their money like they are spending ours?
duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
Does anyone notice how many of these 1970s PLPs have resurfaced to hold high offices as consultants, advisors, chairmen or ambassadors in this present PLP government ............. about 200 of these old guard PLPs suck up probably at least $20 million + perks while young Bahamian professionals are unable to get any opportunities except janitresses
FNM_Retards 8 years, 11 months ago
Anything is better than the FNM retards.
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