PLP convention postponed

As of Friday, October 3, 2014

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has postponed its highly anticipated November convention to next year out of respect for the expected constitutional referendum.

PLP chairman Bradley Roberts told The Big T yesterday that the convention will take place after the referendum on gender equality has been held and denied rumours that the postponement has anything to do with public opinion about the PLP.

It is expected that the position of leader, deputy leader, national chairman and PLP trustees may be contested when the convention is held.

During a meeting on Wednesday of high-ranking PLP members, including Parliamentarians, the party elected to postpone its convention in order to focus its attention and resources squarely on guaranteeing the success of the constitutional referendum, Mr Roberts said.

“Conventions are usually divisive and we feel we want to put that aside until after we have the referendum,” he added.

As rumours of the convention’s postponement spread on social media recently, some have suggested that it reflects a lack of confidence among PLP leaders over the security of their positions as the Christie administration faces frequent criticism over a variety of issues.

There have been suggestions that top PLP officials are particularly worried about the impact recent BEC outages, high electricity bills and critical comments from Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins on the government’s performance since taking office would have on a convention held this year.

Mr Roberts forcefully rejected this notion, however, emphasising that the party has taken all the important steps needed to host the convention next month but ultimately chose not to do so because of the constitutional referendum.

“Let me make it clear and knock that down right now,” he said, “our convention committee was in full form. We had secured the hotel, the branches were energised, ready for the convention and bank deposits were made. The postponement of it had nothing to do with anything other than the referendum.”

Since Mr Roberts announced in February that a convention would be held in November, mini PLP conventions have been held in the Family Islands. These will continue until the main convention is held next year, Mr Roberts said.

“The mini conventions have took place and will continue to take place,” he said. “We are going to Exuma in November to deal with party members and focus attention on the island concerned.”

He added that the ritual “prayer breakfast” which proceeds conventions will still take place next month as planned in order to “pray for the success of the party.”

Mr Roberts suggested that there is widespread agreement within the upper ranks of the party that the convention should be postponed.

“Given the reason for the postponement, I don’t think any female counterparts would take any umbrage with the postponement. As for the men, I can’t see them not being supportive of the women. We urge all the men to stand up and do this necessary thing, not only for the party, but for all members of society.”

More like this story

PKMShack 10 years, 1 month ago

the scared, don't let the bull shit fool you

SP 10 years, 1 month ago

Say it ain't so......Send Big Mouth Bradley Roberts back to his crypt!

Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years, 1 month ago

No, no, no.......say it ain't so! Now how I gonna get dose new tee shirts I need, not ta mention ma tanksgivin' day turkey?!!!!

Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years, 1 month ago

....and my wife say she do need a new set of dem fancy type pom poms sooner rather than later!

Honestman 10 years, 1 month ago

Don't make me laugh - since when did the PLP ever show respect for anthing other than the self interest of its members? The Party is just scared that more dirty laundry will be aired in public.

TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago

I thinks the Comrade PLP Chairman meant tell da Tribune that holding the PLP party's done past due convention is much too damn risky to proceed with as promised for November 2014. That it was highly unlikely Dr. Andre. Renward and Greg could be expected to behave themselves on da convention floor. Besides, "Big Brad” has picked the only issue Minnis, Loretta and Daron would not dare take them to ask over. How in hell could any red grow big enough bullocks, while they too would have to share in being equally gun-shy when it comes down to not wanting to face their own accountability at a red party’s long over-due convention. This has also has make sense to even the Tribune's red readers as well as it call does this Comrade? Why not? Being we’re talking ducking the moment of stewardship's accountability, might as well throw Comrade Bran’s greens in the mix. Comrades I didn't even have make this comical politics stuff up. It the truth. P.S. Tribune readers does awaits the response from the reds big mouth's Chairman Daron who has never failed to immediately respond to anything his PLP counterpart "Big Brad"has ever uttered?

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 1 month ago

Hidin' behind woman? ....again? (e.g. Wendy Craig)

ohdrap4 10 years, 1 month ago

now it is I. I who make that determination, and when I make that determination the convention will be held with all determination vested in me. a man with determination canoot be scared. And let me tell ya, If I make the determination that vimen can go have referendum, they can go.

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