Bradley Roberts
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday ridiculed FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis over his choice of “hapless, perennial losers and visionless personalities” after the party ratified its first eight candidates in preparation for the next general election.
Mr Roberts said with the selections, it appeared that Dr Minnis rummaged through former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s “political junkyard or graveyard” and salvaged what could only be described as a “political scrap gang”.
Mr Roberts said the Progressive Liberal Party expected the opposition’s candidate choices to reflect the skills and competency required to connect with voters and inspire confidence in addressing the challenges facing this country.
Instead, Mr Roberts said the Killarney MP seemed to have quickly thrown together a disparate group of individuals whose singular qualification must have been their “blind allegiance to Dr Minnis’ leadership ambition and maintenance in the face of continuous challenges to his leadership”.
On Thursday night, the FNM ratified eight hopefuls including Shonell Ferguson –Fox Hill; Don Saunders -Tall Pines; Frankie Campbell - Southern Shores; Leonard Sands - Bain and Grants Town; Dr Duane Sands – Elizabeth; Halston Moultrie - Nassau Village; Howard Johnson - South Beach; Zendal Forbes - South and Central Andros.
Ms Ferguson, Dr Sands and Mr Johnson all lost their bids to win seats in the House of Assembly during the last election.
Mr Roberts said: “In his desperate attempt at political survival, Minnis apparently rummaged through Hubert Ingraham’s political junkyard or graveyard and salvaged what could only be described as a ‘political scrap gang.’”
“The 2017 election is not about Minnis and his political survival; this is about the future of the Bahamian people.
“I offer Dr Minnis some unsolicited political advice: the Bahamian people, a discerning, informed and responsible electorate, will not be insulted with slim political pickings that fail to inspire their confidence in the areas of competence, community linkages and electability.”
He added: “This initial group of eight might very well be nice guys, but there is a huge difference between having a social drink at one’s favourite spot or Fish Fry with a group of nice guys and assembling a competent team of proven and committed leaders ready and able to effectively address the myriad of daunting challenges facing our country while negotiating our strategic positions in the region and in the world.
“Well I invite the Bahamian people to critically review Minnis’ initial handiwork of eight and make their own judgment. Dr Minnis’ decision-making skills are in a fish bowl and under a microscope because the future of the Bahamas is at stake.”
Last week, a highly critical letter penned by a former council member who called into question Dr Minnis’ competency overshadowed the FNM’s Thursday night ratification process.
The former member, who requested anonymity, accused the Killarney MP of an “underhanded” move to oust former election candidates who are a part of the council and replace them with new hopefuls to “stack the odds” in his favour.
However, following the council meeting at the party’s headquarters, FNM Chairman Michael Pintard “categorically” denied this saying the party would not exclude any former candidate from the Central Council. He said former candidates need only send him a letter requesting to sit on the council and it would be approved.
When asked about the claims of secrecy with party issues, Dr Minnis told reporters that he was unaware of where the allegations came from, adding that the ratification process had been transparent.
The new candidates will automatically become members of the party’s Central Council, according to Dr Minnis.
Comments
GrassRoot 8 years, 3 months ago
its because of leaders such as Mr. Roberts, this country has gone down the toilet (or "shit hole" to translate for Mr.Roberts).
lionfish 8 years, 3 months ago
Can The Tribune please turn off that weather forecast video that comes on whenever you open a page? Lower right corner, black box. It is extremely annoying and if you look at more than one page even more so. Thank you.
GrassRoot 8 years, 3 months ago
Don't get angry, but rather look at this as a teachable moment for you and the Nation (to learn about the current weather in Memphis).
lionfish 8 years, 3 months ago
Haha- Thanks for that GrassRoots. Gave me a chuckle.
Honestman 8 years, 3 months ago
“hapless, perennial losers and visionless personalities" Roberts must have the entire PLP cabinet in mind!
sheeprunner12 8 years, 3 months ago
What a poor excuse of a political party chairman ............. especially in the spirit of Majority Rule Day ................... PLP has successfully sabotaged any semblance of real black power in this country (its just a cannibalistic law of the jungle mentatilty that exists today) ........ Bradley Roberts and his ilk are prime examples of the political cannibals of the "new Bahamas"
TruePeople 8 years, 3 months ago
“hapless, perennial losers and visionless personalities"
this is where the child's line is profound... "takes one to know one Robbie"
asiseeit 8 years, 3 months ago
Imagine how much better off our country would be if we did not have the likes of Bradley Roberts to contend with. Those like him have presided over the demise of our nation and have brought us to where we are today. Maybe Mr. Roberts should take a long hard look in the mirror if he is looking for someone to ridicule and criticize. Mr. Roberts, be sure of this, the history books will not be kind to you and yours for your mismanagement and rape of OUR country.
Honestman 8 years, 3 months ago
So true but Roberts and his band of brothers really don't care about what any of us think of them. They have their spoils, that's all they care about. Of course, if they can tempt the gullible into allowing them another five years to COMPLETELY empty the cookie jar then even better for them.
asiseeit 8 years, 3 months ago
One wonders where and what Mr. Roberts would be if not for his benefactor SLOP? The truth ALWAYS comes out one way or another no matter how hard you try and rewrite history, remember that!
GrassRoot 8 years, 3 months ago
its time to make him an OBE as well.
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
Comrade GrassRoot why would "Big Bad"Brad want me made an Order of an non-existent English Empire? Exactly where is this empire located of which you speak of?
The PLP's Chairman is done a General Elections battle weary medal of great honour when it comes to delivering PM Christie his two victories at the polls, so you think he wouldn't have done become a English Knight, if he wanted be one?
Honestman 8 years, 3 months ago
Wilchcombe should be made an order of the British Empire then he could be OBE OBE!!
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
Comrades you do realize "Big Bad" Brad just happens be the PLP's Chairman and it is his job downplay the red party - regardless of the why.
But since Minnis had no drum and bugle roll out when announcing the red party's 2017 eight hopefuls It was left "Big Bad" Brad who decided to brung outs the 8 from out their red Mackey Street headquarters shadows.
Was Minnis thinking, no need be wearing ya red t shirts on these newest of red personalities they be prepping for the 2017 General.
I mean, why would the red party want be accused of 2017 electioneering.
The red leadership, unlike their dirty laundries, have become experts at keeping their progress all secret
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 3 months ago
Bradley Roberts is absolutely correct and cannot be questioned on his expert opinion here as a scumbag who certainly well knows others who are very likely to be prone to his scumbag ways. Minnis is picking candidates who more than likely are (or will turn out to be) no better than Big Bad Brad and he knows it! It is now a virtual certainty the FNM will lose the next general election because of Minnis's obstinate refusal to step aside for the greater good of the country and the FNM party. The governing apparatus of the FNM has allowed Minnis to hijack the party for his own power hungry greedy needs and Bahamian voters will therefore see to it that the FNM party is given an appropriate burial when they next go to the polls.
banker 8 years, 3 months ago
Sigh, Brad The Bescumber, the voice of the active PLP microphallus proves that he is a coccydynia to Bahamas society with his buncombe utterings, acute odiferous hercismus and his offensiveness as a PLP cacafuego.
If you want an example of PLP sub-human, Bradley Roberts is it.
by banker
Godson 8 years, 3 months ago
"Dogs don't bark at parked cars..." While I can understand the frustrations, and in some cases, agree with the need to echo the comments regarding the governing party (PLP); however, if one were to step back from all the emotion being vented in these comments, one might still want to admit that Bradley Roberts is a dynamic and highly effective Chairman for his political party, the PLP.
I wish I had a bulldog(Chairman) like him...
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
banker 8 years, 3 months ago
You don't want his ethics though.
The barking adage though is correct about Mad Brad. If you are a junkyard dog, you assume that that's what life is: chained up, barking all day.
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
Comrade Banker none other on political scene have played the games politics and entrepreneurship as well as "Big Bad" Brad, if you remembers that once he was well trenched in none other than Sir Stafford's political camp.
He has played both games damn well - don't you agree?
I'd wager that Minnis would love have a red chairman with 30% the political savvy of the PLP's Chairman.
banker 8 years, 3 months ago
I don't think so. You need to take too many showers after being in his presence. He and Frankie da Snake are birds of a feather.
themessenger 8 years, 3 months ago
All of that aside, and I don't have even a minute of my time for Mr. Roberts, it would be beneficial to all of us who are desperate to replace Roberts and his band of thieves if the good doctor would educate us as to what each of his chosen candidates actually bring to the table and will they actually serve for the benefit of the country instead of the party & themselves. While I hear what Minnis is preaching, read My Say today's Tribune,we don't need more of the same sort of representation we've been cursed with for the last 40 years be they yellow, red or green.
berryj 7 years, 10 months ago
The former member, who requested anonymity, accused the Killarney MP of an “underhanded” move to oust former election candidates who are a part of the council and replace them with new hopefuls to “stack the odds” in his favour. Have a look at http://www.simonsholidays.com/india-t...">Tibet tours witnessing the great Himalayan range.
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