The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder has announced that he will attempt to become a parliamentarian next year by running as a candidate in the Fox Hill constituency.

At the moment he plans to run as an Independent candidate, although this could change as he is a part of a project called the “People’s Movement,” which is an effort to unify opposition forces under one umbrella to take on the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) next year.

This would mark Mr Pinder’s first foray into frontline politics after years of arousing speculation that he might do so.

A respected unionist, he has waded through the tricky terrain of union politics to win the BPSU and National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) presidencies in five and two consecutive elections, respectively.

In choosing to run in the Fox Hill constituency, he aims to challenge MP Fred Mitchell, a senior Cabinet minister who has won the constituency in three consecutive elections.

“I’m not afraid at all,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “(Mr Mitchell) had one strong challenger, Jacinta Higgs, but she lost because people were writing foolishness on the ballot. He’s visible but beatable.”

Born in Fox Hill, Mr Pinder still lives in the area.

“They’re my family,” he said. “The Rahmings, the Davises, the Rolles, they’re my family.”

Mr Pinder said he will begin campaigning in the constituency in August.

Meanwhile, he is a part of a project that seeks to unify opposition parties in a view to bring “progressive” change to the Bahamas.

He said that the PLP has failed to provide effective governance to the country, adding that the state of the Official Opposition is also lamentable.

The infighting in the Free National Movement (FNM) is reflective of a larger, permanent split, he said. On the other hand, he said the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), a third party, has failed to nominate quality candidates for constituencies. He said other parties, including Marco City MP Greg Moss’ United Democratic Party (UDB), could benefit from aligning their goals with other opposition groups.

Mr Pinder’s group launched at the Bahamas Communications Public Officers Union (BCPOU) Hall last night and those overseeing the project were expected to encourage people to register to be a part of the “movement.”

“We will have to consider establishing a political party,” Mr Pinder said, stressing that the group will be guided by Bahamians on whether the establishment of a party is the right decision to make.

“We want to start something new. And we want a different type of constitution, one that would allow all paying members to vote for their members, not just delegates.”

Mr Pinder says members of the group include former Senator John Bostwick and media personality Steve McKinney.