The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Politics, at its core, isn’t just about individual personalities, it’s about the collective vision, strategies, and objectives they represent. As the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) approaches its convention and subsequent by-election, the interplay of these politics is vividly clear.

The leader’s unwavering support for chairman Fred Mitchell is not a mere endorsement of an individual. It is a clear and decisive statement about the Leader’s own vision and strategy for the party for winning the by-election. The two are inextricably linked: to support Fred is to support the leader’s foresight and direction for PLP’s political success. Therefore, any challenge or vote against Fred, especially at such a pivotal juncture, is tantamount to a challenge against the very essence and wisdom of the leader himself.

Robyn Lynes’ decision to enter the fray for the chairmanship, particularly during this critical period, not only jeopardises the party’s unity but also sends mixed messages about the party’s direction. This isn’t merely about the chairmanship; it’s about the very leadership and future direction of PLP. If Lynes were to contest and succeed against Fred, it would not only disrupt the party’s unified front, but also directly undermine the leader’s plan to win West Grand Bahama and Bimini.

When the top brass of the party, both the leader and the deputy leader, back Fred Mitchell, it is a tacit understanding that the chairman and the leader are one, united in strategy and purpose. To diverge from this shared vision, as Lynes proposes, would be to ignore the foundational strategy laid out by the party’s leadership. This, more than anything else, underscores the urgency and importance of the message: a vote against Fred is unequivocally a vote against the leader.

It’s crucial, as the convention and by-election loom, for every PLP member to understand the stakes. Individual ambitions must take a backseat to collective unity and vision. Any distractions, especially those that challenge the Leader’s strategy, can only serve to weaken the party’s prospects.

The logic behind her decision to contest the chairmanship in this crucial period appears flawed. At a time when the party’s bandwidth should be exclusively dedicated to the impending election, Lynes is attempting to divert it towards a potentially heated leadership skirmish. For those arguing that the party can juggle both these challenges simultaneously, history and practicality suggest otherwise.

Lynes’ decision to relinquish her seat as deputy chairman without a clear transition path has inadvertently exposed her to political vulnerability. Such a move, devoid of foresight, might result in her bearing a disproportionate share of the blame if PLP doesn’t succeed in the by-election, given the diversion she has initiated and failure to win removes her from the leadership.

It’s imperative for the party to recognize and understand that a vote against Fred is not merely a change in chairmanship; it is a rejection of the leader’s strategy to win a by-election.

THE GATEKEEPER

Nassau, The Bahamas

October 30, 2023