NASSAU,BAHAMAS – In the political model which we follow here in our wonderful nation, the leader and/or leadership of any political organization which lose a critical and nation wide elections, is/are expected to step down following a massive defeat. Not necessarily, however, here in our wonderful nation.
If this were almost any other country which adheres to the so called West Minster system the three top leaders of a major party would have had the decency to simply offer to step aside and would have, in fact, done so almost three weeks since the debacle.
It is so sad that many of our leaders, across the board in church and state cling to positions which have long out grown them and or whatever they would initially had to offer in a particular position.. In the non-denominational churches, especially the Baptists & so called fundamentalist ones, the Senior Pastor, usually the ‘founder’ holds office until death comes, literally, or a debilitating illness sidelines he/she.
The favored child then is appointed to follow whatever legacy that may have been established chiseled out by the former senior pastor. While there may be nothing wrong with this concept, clearly, meaningful growth of the membership and community influence of that particular church, are often stifled.
And so it is in politics. Messrs. Pintard & Sands have suffered multiple political defeats at the hands of The Grand Master of Bahamian politics. The Rt. Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, MP, KC, must be tired of flogging these hapless individuals with barbed wire. They keep coming back for MORE !!
A conversation about the future of failed National Chairman, Doctor Duane Sands should not even be up for discussion or speculation. What else is he capable of doing to assist with the absolute necessity of the doll house FNM party being rebranded and resuscitated? A BIG FAT zero. He still, thank God, has his successful medical practice, so he’ll be alright financially.
Clifton, however, should also step aside as Leader and allow the Hon. Andre Rollins (FNM-Long Island) to take over the helm of the once vibrant FNM in short order with young Lincoln Deal (FNM-Free Town) as Deputy Leader.
The Hon. Kwasi Thompson (FNM-East End) is viewed as ‘too light’ for the top posts in his party. The Hon. Adrian White (FNM-Anne’s Town), unfortunately, is regarded ‘as too white’, believe it or not. He is also regarded as symbolic of the very real remnants of the infamous Bay Street Boys (UBP or United Bahamian Party)
The young Hon. MP for Killarney, Madam Michaela Barnett-Ellis, at this stage, lacks the perceived GRAVITAS for the leadership position. She is known to be a third generation Barnett within the FNM. Both her paternal grand father and her father, Sir Michael Barnett, KC (a top notch Barrister-at-Law and a long time Jurist of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, served the FNM well and with distinction.
I see her emerging within the next five years as the first female Leader. de facto and de jure. of the now decimated FNM. This is the political reality on the ground. What about Rollins in the mid to long term as a pseudo FNM? He’ll be able to topple Pintard within a year’s time.
He, as a political Chameleon, however, will NEVER, in my opinion, climb to the top of the greasy pole. He’s not trusted. Today he’s for you and tomorrow he’s against you
What about my longtime friend, the Hon. Shannendon Cartwright former MP for Saint Barnabas? He’s a hard headed individual, in my view. I strongly advised him not to abandon his former constituency for a ‘pig in the bag’ transmission into the uncharted waters of Saint James.
He paid me absolutely no mind. Now, he is completely on the outside and dead naked in inclement weather. He says that he’ll return BUT how? A political reality. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
