The Tribune

VINCENT Peet, a former Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister, has launched an independent campaign for the North Andros and Berry Islands constituency, saying residents have urged him to return to politics.

He also challenged incumbent PLP MP Dr Perry Gomez, who, he said, was given time to “find his footing”, but area residents feel that they have no representation.

Mr Peet represented the area from 2002-2012, but did not run in the last election. The PLP has ratified Dr Gomez, the current minister of health, to run for the constituency in the upcoming election.

Despite not representing the area for the past five years, Mr Peet told residents at his campaign launch on Saturday that he never left them.

“I have never left you because I am a part of you and will always feel your pain,” he said. “When you cry, I cry and when you laugh, I laugh. North Andros has always demanded strong, but caring leadership. North Andros has always had a loud determined and forceful voice in Parliament highlighting the needs and concerns of my people and pushing for the advancements of this island and the Berry Islands. We all watched for the past several years and gave the present MP the opportunity and the time to find his footing. But at last most North Androsians and Berry Islanders feel that they have had no representation and that North Andros and the Berry Islands deserve more.

“It is because of the outcry and demand of so many of my people that I felt compelled to offer myself again to bring back that proven and committed representation that North Andros and The Berry Islands have become accustomed to. No one is perfect and no one should profess to be perfect but once you elect someone that person should at least make the effort to get to know those persons who elected him.

“We must decide in this election that we work for the people and therefore the boss is the people. Anyone who is elected by the people is accountable to the people and therefore must answer to the people.”

In spite of his decision, Mr Peet expressed his longstanding loyalty to the PLP.

“For many many years I have served my country and my party faithfully and so I did not take offering as an Independent candidate lightly. After much prayer and consultation with family, friends and supporters I decided that because of my deep love for Andros and the Berry Islands and because of the need for my people to have a choice in this election I would offer myself as that choice.

“I therefore want to say this and say this loud and clearly so that all can hear and understand - my campaign is not anti-PLP campaign nor is it an anti FNM campaign. My campaign is a pro-Andros campaign it’s a pro-Andros and the Berry Islands campaign.”

He also said it is “wrong for any government to have a policy or a practice where only the select few or a couple families get all the contracts” while the masses suffer.

Mr Peet did not run in the last election after a controversy occurred involving $180,000 in client funds.