Davis tells PLP - don’t challenge leadership

PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis.

As of Monday, July 15, 2019

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis wants no challenges to his leadership team at the upcoming PLP convention, he has told party members.

At a closed-door meeting at the Pelican Bay Resort in Grant Bahama on June 15, he made his desire clear to a room of nearly 200 stalwart councillors, The Tribune understands.

Calling for absolute unity, he said he wants his team of Chester Cooper as deputy leader, Fred Mitchell as chairman and Robyn Lynes as deputy chairman to remain in place.

Not expecting to face a leadership challenge himself, his statement, sources close to him told The Tribune yesterday, was meant as a signal to former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe who has long been considering another run as party chairman. Mr Wilchcombe was seated in the audience.

A possible challenge by the former West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP has caused tension in the party and is seen by insiders as a test of Mr Davis’ strength and grip on the organisation.

When he ran for chairman in 2017, Mr Wilchcombe received 419 votes to Mr Mitchell’s 627 votes. It was by far the closest of the major ticket races; by contrast, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin received 300 votes in her leadership quest while Mr Davis received 1,004 votes.

Former Cabinet minister George Smith, a prominent Davis ally, said yesterday he expects delegates to vote across the board for the candidates Mr Davis prefers.

“The next chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party,” he said, “will be the person that the leader and his supporters within the party will throw their support behind, the person that the leader is most comfortable working with, whoever that is.

“I think this because the people assembled at a convention two years waited daylong, late into the night. They came from far and near and they waited around to overwhelmingly vote for Philip Davis to be leader of the party. The leader won handily, the deputy won handily and considering that the chairmanship race was between two well-known personalities, a 200-vote majority is these days a comfortable majority in party politics in the Bahamas. Since then Mr Davis has gotten the party out of the doldrums that the party was in and the organisation now is on a very positive path to win the next general election.”

Mr Wilchcombe did not respond yesterday to a message seeking comment.

joeblow 4 years, 9 months ago

The stalwarts were not chosen for their intellect, but for their blind, unreasoned allegiance. No sensible person or group of people could have voted for the likes of Brave to be party leader after that crushing defeat in the polls last election. May they all get what they deserve!

Sickened 4 years, 9 months ago

LOL! Brave trying a Christie like threat. Don't run against me!!!! LOL! It worked for Christie. Let's see if it works for Brave. Can a real man please stand up, please stand up?

realfreethinker 4 years, 9 months ago

Problem. No real men in the party. Sorry

themessenger 4 years, 9 months ago

If yesterdays Punch is to be believed a few good men may be in short supply in that organization Lol.

yeahyasee 4 years, 9 months ago

LMAO

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 9 months ago

There must be at least one illegal Haitian immigrant willing to run against Brave for the leadership post of the PLP. LMAO

birdiestrachan 4 years, 9 months ago

I believe the present team is great. I also do love MR: Alfred Sears. I wish them all Wonderful blessing.

The PLP cares more about the poor than the FNM/UBP. That is just the way it is.

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 9 months ago

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Godson 4 years, 9 months ago

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DWW 4 years, 9 months ago

Funny stuff. thanks for the laugh

themessenger 4 years, 9 months ago

Birdie, you ain read yesterday Punch aye? But maybe you cool wid dat too.

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 9 months ago

Birdie can read?! Don't you know Birdie has help writing all of the pro-PLP comments posted on this web site?

geostorm 4 years, 9 months ago

LOL@ well_mudda, you ain't easy now!

TalRussell 4 years, 9 months ago

Any time political party's incumbent leadership comrades feel need call for no democratic challenge their positions, I'd say sends out call for no action by potential leadership aspiring party comrades... clear evidence weakness signals they themselves sense they hold under performed status as no slam-dunk incumbents, yes, no... Their seemingly unprepared take quick political advantage gift horse handed them, all gift-wrapped, referencing call made by PM to a most senior substantive crown minister, speaks to their official opposition weakness, yes, no....

DWW 4 years, 9 months ago

the Faintheart Davis would single handedly ruin this country. granted it already kind of in bad shape, but he would not be a good move. not good at all. well good for the few dozen friends and family of Faintheard, but that is about it. Bad for everyone else. Seroiusly, how does anyone even consider that Faintheart is doing this for anything but his own personal gain... straight up shyster

hj 4 years, 9 months ago

There is nothing strange with Davis's statements. Like other great democrats like Pindling and Christie the PLP leaders not only believe that the leader's post is for life,they also believe that they and their cronies own the country

The_Oracle 4 years, 9 months ago

Country won't be worth "owning" if they get in.

TalRussell 4 years, 9 months ago

Comrade Oracle, not countering your position on which group politicians are best suited own colony but how you red shirts came unglued calling immediate firing when just mere PLP cabinet minister placing a telephone call to an individual considered hold position the populaces would consider be far below status and pay scale Colony of Out Islands individual of which a telephone call was made to by Rt. Honourable Prime Minister, yes, true, no.... doesn't bother you......

licks2 4 years, 9 months ago

I kinda of understand the dilemma of Mr. Opposition Leader. . .change of leadership right now can present a crisis of "I een know heem". . .for Mr. Sears. . .yet going into an election with Mr. Davis and his monkies tied to his back securely place the PLP between Doc and his rock. The three broke-down Davis, Cooper and Mitchell ger have a hard time with swing voters them!!

If the ger change leads. . .do it now. . .in any event. . .dump Mr. Mitchell. . .he represents old style politics too much! By the way. . .is ti only me who sees how Mr. Sears is setting the stage of what the PLP think is "good to hold on"? Mr. Sears is already "taking over" from Mr. Davis. . .Mr. Davis and Mr. Mitchell them too slow. . .well not Mr . Mitchell slow. . .but "heem" to touchy. . .too quick on the draw. . .old foolish political style. . .too childish for we young voters!! The PLP acts like they have political "epilepsy". . .they falling down on the ground all over the place and frothing at the mouth!!

BONEFISH 4 years, 9 months ago

All leadership positions in the party should be contested at this convention.But the PLP is not a political party,it is more like a cult.

SP 4 years, 9 months ago

Despite this trash talking muppet, the IMF predicts the Bahamas economy is D-O-O-M-E-D regardless if the PLP or FNM wins the next election!

We need to finally totally abandon the gold and red parties and do something "new". Alternatively, we can keep doing what we have been doing for years and succumb to failure!

licks2 4 years, 9 months ago

Now please tell us where you got that information of DOOM? We waiting. . .just don't go off on another "talking out ya head" tirade. . .just give us the source of that information!! PLEASE!!

sheeprunner12 4 years, 9 months ago

We presently have Minnis dem ........... We saw what Davis can do (last term) ...... try a woman next time (Komolafe & the DNA)

licks2 4 years, 9 months ago

A DUMB WOMAN IS JUST AS DUMB AS A DUMB MAN. . .SHE EEN TOO SMART. . .WHY MUST WE GIVE HER A SECOND LOOK?? SHE DON'T HAVE THE "STUFF" FOR NATIONAL GOVERNANCE. . .THE DNA GOT "LOST" IN THE LAST 2 YEARS OR SO UNDER HER LEADERSHIP!! THEY ARE JUST A BY-WORD NOW. . .THANKS TO HER!! CHILD PLEASE!!

She does talk all kind of dumb nonsense when it comes to common sense political thinking. That whole party seem like they have "mudder-take-sick" mentality. . .they don't have a sound agenda. . .JUST PARROTING NONSENSE ALL OVER THE PLACE!! They only respond to things others put forward. . .NOT AN ORIGINAL THOUGH BETWEEN THE BUNCH OF THEM!!

Thanos 4 years, 9 months ago

Wow!!!! Lol

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