By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Deputy Chief Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday announced the Official Opposition’s four Senate appointments, including two former Cabinet ministers, whom he said “will hold the government’s feet to the fire”.
The appointees are former Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, former Minister of Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville, former PLP election hopeful Clay Sweeting and attorney Jobeth Coleby Davis.
They are expected to take the oath of office today at 4pm at Government House.
Mr Roberts said it is the view of the PLP that the appointments represent a mix of legislative and governmental experience coupled with youthful energy and private sector knowledge and expertise.
He added that they will add great value to the national debate on policy and legislative issues while causing for a seamless transition in the leadership structure and function of the PLP.
“This is a competent team and I am confident that they will hold the government’s feet to the fire on behalf of the Bahamian people,” Mr Roberts said in a press statement yesterday.
“Consistent with the mandate articulated by Opposition Leader the Hon Philip Brave Davis in accepting his instruments of appointment, this parliamentary caucus will support the government where there is common ground on policy and legislative issues in the public interest.
“This team, however, will not allow the Free National Movement government to misrepresent or distort the record of achievement of the PLP government; will not compromise our sovereignty as a nation nor will they acquiesce if the FNM government pursues policies or practices that hurt vulnerable Bahamians.”
Mr Mitchell and Dr Darville both served under the previous Christie administration.
Mr Sweeting, a businessman from Spanish Wells, was unsuccessful in two consecutive bids for the North Eleuthera constituency on the PLP’s ticket - in 2012 and again in 2017.
The youngest member of the PLP’s parliamentary caucus and newcomer to front-line politics is attorney and energy law and policy specialist Ms Coleby Davis.
She holds an LLM in energy law and policy from the University of Dundee in Scotland.
Ms Coleby Davis gained experience in banking compliance and risk management as a compliance officer with the Bank of Nova Scotia.
She is currently the in-house legal counsel to the Bahamas Petroleum Company with responsibilities for compliance, legal and commercial risk management and government relations.
Comments
birdiestrachan 6 years, 11 months ago
I am confident they will do a good job, educated along with intelligence and just pure plain common sense.
Tarzan 6 years, 11 months ago
An unabated racist who thinks the Castro Brothers define good governance? That sense is indeed "common".
themessenger 6 years, 11 months ago
Like cockroaches, they're hard to exterminate. But, however, just what Fred needs right now to sooth his battered ego, another soap box from which to continue his misguided racist rants.
Economist 6 years, 11 months ago
“This team, however, will not allow the Free National Movement government to misrepresent or distort the record of achievement of the PLP government; will not compromise our sovereignty as a nation nor will they acquiesce if the FNM government pursues policies or practices that hurt vulnerable Bahamians.”
Priceless! The PLP record speaks for itself as acknowledged by the voters on the 10th May. There is nothing to distort as it can't be represented worse than it is.
All the PLP has done is compromise the sovereignty of The Bahamas by its reckless abuse of the Public Treasury which has left the Countries sovereignty vulnerable (downgraded to "junk bond" status) as we have to beg to stay afloat financially.
The PLP practices have hurt vulnerable Bahamians more than anyone else can.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 11 months ago
The PLP will thread water in the Senate just like in the House of Assembly ...... Mitchell will pontificate ....... DocDarville will expound ....... Clay will cluck ......... and God knows who is the other rookie ............. I want to see Fweddy burn some documents in the Senate chambers
Gotoutintime 6 years, 11 months ago
Smart move by Brave for his personal agenda by appointing Freddy to the Senate---Better to have the camel in the tent, pissing out, than outa the tent pissing in!!
pablojay 6 years, 11 months ago
I like that picture of Fred smiling,because if he had no legitimate political outlet for his massive ego, he would be a crazy man.
banker 6 years, 11 months ago
Interesting. The bottom three portraits are photoshopped. Not sure about Dread Fred.
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 11 months ago
A pig, an empty suit, a fishin man and an attorney for Bahamas Petroleum. Other than ensuring Bahamas Petroleum never ever drills in our country what's the lesson here?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 11 months ago
Very harsh (but accurate) assessment ......... The PLP remains "as is"
Honestman 6 years, 11 months ago
Fred as senator ? The PLP just never learn do they? Even after the biggest thrashing in their existence they still persevere with the same old racist Fred. He must be raging at the loss of his free travel privileges.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 11 months ago
The real questions to be asked are: ................ What is the PLP's endgame of appointing Fred Mitchell to the Senate??????? .......... Whose side is Fred on in the upcoming PLP convention?????? ....... Will this appointment make the PLP more attractive to the public????
It is hard to believe that Davis and Mitchell is a future PLP tag team ........ Watsayu??????
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