The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The constituency of South Andros is considered by many Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters to be a low hanging fruit for the political organisation, having been represented by Sir Lynden Pindling from the 1960s till his retirement in 1997.

This mindset was reinforced after incumbent Picewell Forbes managed to stave off the Free National Movement’s Zendal Forbes in the 2017 general election political massacre of the PLP.

As history would have it, Forbes was just one of four PLP standard bearers to remain standing. Indeed, the “home town boy” has represented South Andros and Mangrove Cay since 2007 with distinction.

While Forbes has been at a disadvantage in doing for his constituents as other deep-pocket Parliamentarians are able to do for theirs, his financial constraints have not prevented him from giving optimum representation.

Forbes has never been embroiled in any scandal. He’s a down-to-earth MP that makes it a point to stay in touch with his Family Island constituents. Forbes reminds this writer of a blue-collar worker who goes to Parliament with his lunch pail and works his tail off in representing South Andros.

Consequently, I am happy that PLP chair Fred Mitchell and the hierarchy of the official Opposition have formally renominated Forbes as the party’s standard bearer for South Andros in 2022. The Forbes camp can now breathe a sigh of relief, in the wake of a political leaflet with Monique Pindling that had recently surfaced on Facebook and other social media platforms. Based on my layman’s observations regarding the scheduled “meet and greet” event for South Andros, Pindling has given the perception that her camp was entertaining thoughts of elbowing Forbes out of the way, on the sole basis of her relations to the father of the nation.

Equally disconcerting to the Forbes camp are The Tribune reports of Dame Marguerite Pindling inquiring about the feasibility of her daughter running in South Andros.

Had PLP Leader Phillip “Brave” Davis accommodated the Pindlings, it would’ve given the perception that the PLP is an elitist party that is willing to undermine one of its very own loyal incumbents for individuals with a sense of entitlement. Moreover, was Forbes even consulted by the Pindling clan? As far as I am aware, he has never given any indication of retiring from frontline politics.

With 35 seats currently held by non-PLPs, and Englerston being the sole New Providence seat currently held by Glenys Hanna-Martin, why is the Pindling clan singling out Forbes’ constituency which Monique Pindling has never even lived in, to the best of my knowledge?

Being a political aspirant who desires to continue her legendary father’s political dynasty, Pindling has started off on the wrong foot. Rather than attempting to undermine the South Andros incumbent, who is a political colleague, Pindling should instead roll up her sleeves and begin the arduous process of working the grounds in Nassau where she resides.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama.

March 4, 2020.