The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is often said that a promise is a comfort to a fool. In no way do I think our political leaders are fools, but it is no secret that the Leader of the PLP has promised to support so many of his colleagues in their quests to replace him as leader: Philip “Brave” Davis, Obie Wilchcombe, Alfred Sears, Jerome Fitzgerald, Michael Halkitis and Kenred Dorsett! The only advice  –- “just wait”. No wonder all of these potential leaders are singing for their supper! Christie’s survival gives hope to their leadership aspirations.

The only catch though is that there is only ONE post of leader and oh so many promised!

Brave Davis was promised that Prime Minister Christie would retire midway through this term and pass the baton on to him.  Mr Davis was the engine that ensured a PLP victory in 2012 and was to be rewarded accordingly. Unfortunately for him he is still holding his hand out for the baton while Mr Christie clutches it tighter than ever.

Mr Wilchcombe has been promised time and time again. However, no one truly believes that he will receive the Christie blessing at the end of the day. Mr Wilchcombe need not think back any further than the 2009 PLP convention when he thought he had Mr Christie’s support only to watch him line up with Mr Davis and help to secure his defeat as Deputy Leader.

Jerome Fitzgerald seems to be Christie’s new blue eyed boy however he needs only look to the experiences of Mr Davis and Mr Wilchcombe to realise how Mr Christie uses “promises” to fortify his support and hold of the party’s leadership. It is doubtful that Mr Fitzgerald could ever be as close to Mr Christie as Mr Davis was, yet Mr Davis is still waiting. He should note that Mr Christie touts the competence and leadership abilities of Mr Halkitis, Mr Dorsett and Khaalis Rolle as well. Alfred Sears has also received “the promise”. There is no doubting his ability and potential however unlike the others he has determined to take his destiny in his own hands. No one concedes power voluntarily.

History states that the most likely scenarios in which Mr Christie will give up power is a convention defeat or an election defeat -which seems more like a reality these days. In the case of the latter all the promised leaders, should they themselves survive politically will most likely be fighting to be Leader of The Opposition considering Mr Christie’s undeniable growing unpopularity and the national appetite for change.

By some miracle should a Christie-led government be re-elected can we truly expect him early in the next term to relinquish power after being duly elected for another five year term? History and experience says heck NO!

Ironically, most Bahamians believe that the PLP would win the next election by a landslide with new leadership!

Several years ago, Mr Christie joked that he is encouraged by the experience of Sir John Compton of St Lucia. Mr Compton was re-elected as Prime Minister of St Lucia at the age of 81 and died in that post. I need not say much more to the potential contenders! Perhaps the reference to Sir John Compton was not a joke after all!

FOOLED NO MORE

Nassau,

September 13, 2016.