The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister George Smith has shot down suggestions from the Official Opposition that there will be a snap election as “nonsensical”.

Mr Smith pointed out that there was no need to sneak up on the Free National Movement (FNM) because its leader was unpopular even within his own party, adding that the party would have to tackle that issue at a convention if it were serious about challenging an election.

Mr Smith was responding to FNM Chairman Michael Pintard’s forecast that Prime Minister Perry Christie would call a snap election in 2016.

Mr Smith insisted that while there was no mandate to warrant such an extreme measure, no responsible politician would make such a drastic move to prevent voters from making a well-reasoned decision at the polls.

“To suggest that Mr Christie would call for a snap election when the party enjoys such a comfortable majority is just nonsensical,” he said in an interview with The Tribune this week.

“Even when we had the oil crisis we didn’t call for a snap election – no responsible politician would do that.”

Mr Smith explained that Mr Christie would need a mandate to carry out such extreme measures, such as serious riots or a vote of no confidence by his party. However, Mr Smith pointed out that if faced with a vote of no confidence, the prime minister would likely opt to resign because it would be clear that his party would vote against him and he no longer commanded the support of the majority of House of Assembly members – a constitutional requirement.

Mr Smith said: “There is no great national emergency. There’s a lot of work to be done and no responsible prime minister is going to do an snap election just because we’re facing Baha Mar (issues).”

Mr Smith acknowledged that the Christie-led administration was suffering “some unpopularity” over the stalled $3.5bn mega-resort, but predicted that the resort would eventually become part of the economic landscape and that history will principally credit Mr Christie’s skilful negotiation and tireless efforts.

He reasoned that both major parties had lost a “sizable degree” of support since the 2012 general election, but insisted the PLP was still on sound footing and ahead of the FNM due to the terrible performance of the opposition leader.

Mr Smith argued that the Democratic National Alliance, a third party, did not command any long-term support and its failure to hold democratic elections for its executive ahead of the 2012 elections rendered it illegitimate.

He said the fledgling party’s traction at the polls merely represented general protest votes against the major parties.

Earlier this week, Mr Pintard raised the possibility of a snap election as he defended his party’s decision not to hold a national convention this year.

The FNM chairman pointed to indicators within the government’s budget for this fiscal year, the myriad of scandals that have plagued the Christie-led administration, and increasing clamour over whether Mr Christie will step aside as leader of the PLP.

The PLP will hold its convention at the end of October; however, Mr Christie has been tight lipped over whether he will stay on as leader.

Both Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe have said that they will vie for the top post if Mr Christie chooses to step aside.

If Mr Christie were to step down, the PLP’s elected leader should go on to be appointed as the new prime minister by the governor-general, as prescribed by the constitution, Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith pointed out that his party was “long overdue” for a convention and cautioned outsiders not to downplay the political might of its stalwart councillors. He added that PLP delegates “aren’t dumb people” as some might assume, but are leaders of their communities who care about national development.

He forecast that there would be other executive positions contested within the party, such as deputy leader, even if Mr Christie remains at the helm.

“So there are a lot of options for the PLP,” Mr Smith said, a stalwart councillor said. “If we think that a change in leadership at the top will make a difference, we could elect a new leader and he forms a new government. He changes the face of the government by whomever he appoints in whatever ministry. He has an option to appoint the majority of the members of the Senate and he has an option to look at all the statutory boards.

“He can change the whole face,” he added, “there is tremendous latitude.”