The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I am writing to express deep concern and indignation over the recent statement issued by chairman Fred Mitchell of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) regarding the West Grand Bahama candidacy. It is not just the vagueness and ambiguity of the statement that is troubling, but the apparent overt deviation from constitutional and democratic norms.

The very essence of democracy relies on transparency, choice, and the ability of members within a democratic institution to participate freely in decision-making processes. It is rather unsettling that the PLP’s chairman would suggest that there has been no “sanctioned primary or selection process”. What then are the metrics and methodologies employed in making these important decisions that affect the trajectory of our nation’s political landscape?

Furthermore, the assertion that selection choices will be made exclusively from the existing stock of aspirants from the 2021 general election is a disturbing precedent. Such a rigid, narrow perspective not only marginalises potential new voices and ideas but it essentially sidesteps the Candidates Committee’s very purpose. The circumvention of this committee undermines its significance, rendering it a mere figurehead rather than a meaningful instrument of democracy within the party.

The role of chairman Fred Mitchell in this issue cannot be ignored. As the chief communicator of this message, he bears the responsibility for this affront to democracy. If this is indeed the direction the PLP leadership is heading, it is a regrettable deviation from the principles and values that the party once championed. This not only threatens the internal mechanisms of the party, but sets a precarious precedent for the broader Bahamian political ecosystem.

It is essential for any democratic party to be accountable to its members, its constituents, and the broader public. Cherry-picking candidates without a clear, transparent, and inclusive selection process is a slap in the face of every Bahamian who believes in the principles of democracy. Chairman Mitchell owes it to the Bahamian people to ensure that the party’s operations adhere to the highest standards of democratic governance.

In closing, I urge the Progressive Liberal Party to reconsider its stance on this matter and ensure that it upholds the democratic values that the Bahamian people cherish so dearly.

THE GATE KEEPER

Nassau,

October 5, 2023