The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

In recent times there has been much speculation and unadulterated boorish talk about leadership succession within both the ruling PLP and the debilitated FNM. The DNA, of course, is headed by a “one man band” so no one is paying much attention to possible succession within that entity.

The Rt Hon Perry Gladstone Christie, MP, PC (PLP-Farm Road) has no overt challengers within the PLP. As long as he remains in relatively good health, both mental and physical, he will not be challenged. PLPs, historically, are cohesive and have always drawn the wagons around the leader de jour.

As it was with the late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling so it is today with Mr Christie. The PM needs not look over his shoulder and there are no rusty cutlasses positioned to be thrust into his back. He will either demit office due to health reasons or an act of God, it is as simple as that.

The Hon Philip “Brave” Davis (PLP-Cat Island), Deputy Prime Minister is the logical successor to Mr Christie. Brave will be elevated at the appropriate time. All he needs to do is to continue to be a hardest working cabinet minister and to remain loyal to Mr Christie at all times. There is no challenger to Brave ascending the greasy pole within the PLP regardless of what the detractors might say or feel.

Within the shell shocked FNM the days of the Hon Doctor Hubert Alexander Minnis (FNM-Killarney) are numbered in months, not years. It is clear, to me at least, that before the end of November, 2014 my good friend and benefactor will be relegated to the ranks of “they also ran”.

Dr Minnis came into leadership of the FNM at the worst possible time based on his personality; demeanor and political experience. I was the first one to predict that Minnis would assume the leadership of the FNM. He himself, at first, did not believe me. He was presented with an opportunity to shine but his performance has been like an amateur and a man from a parallel universe. Those who are his perceived closest advisors and bagmen/women are inept; conceited and also live in the same parallel universe as he. The FNM will remain in opposition, until the rapture, until and unless Minnis gets a hold of himself and rises to the demands of political leadership. If he fails, as it appears that he might, the rank and file of the FNM will demand; beg and plead for the return of the Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham to the helm of their floundering party.

Doctor Duane Sands would make an excellent leader as would the Hon Loretta Butler-Turner (FNM-Long Island). They, however, have their own baggage and challenges. I suggest that either of them would make a good deputy to Hubert A Ingraham but on their own they are unable and possibly incapable of cutting the mustard any time in the near future.

The DNA sings a good tune, but that party is whistling past the proverbial graveyard, with all due respect. It lacks credibility despite the showing during the last general elections. It needs to hold an immediate convention to actually elect its leadership cadre and council members rather than them all being either self appointed or nominated by the “one man band” leader.

There is then, no question of a leadership succession within the PLP. The FNM is going to implode and become even more fractured under the benign leadership of Dr Minnis. The PLP will remain in office for a long time barring continual slip ups by Christie and his ill choice of words when in a crunch. To God then, in all things, inclusive of political leadership, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr

Nassau, 

February 13, 2014.