Has the Election Loss Sparked a Civil War in the PLP?

by Craig Butler

Is the PLP in the midst of a civil war? Well, I would hate to think so but based on recent comments by outgoing party chairman, Raynard Rigby, some would get that impression.

The question that we have to ask is why Mr. Rigby would choose this point in time to make the statements that have been attributed to him in the press. I have attacked him on numerous occasions for his defense of the PLP administration when they were in power and for his inability to keep his mouth shut.

Indeed, I have credited him with single handedly keeping the FNM a viable entity during the leadership of Tommy Turnqeust when it appeared as though they were a ship without a rudder.

So it is hard for me and many others to fathom where these comments are coming from. Is it that Mr. Rigby has an axe to grind for what he perceives as ill treatment of himself, or has he suddenly had an epiphany. Whatever the case, he has certainly made an about face.

To now hear that certain scandal-ridden candidates should not have run in the last general election and that the party leader ought to resign annoys me no end. It is not that I disagree with the comments or his recent assessments, but where was this bravado when it was needed when it could have made a difference.

If Mr. Rigby had demonstrated that he possessed this intestinal fortitude whilst the PLP was the government, and had spoken so passionately and forcefully then, maybe he would have been listened to and taken more seriously - and just maybe the outcome on May 2 would have been different.

Now we see that the party machinery is calling for his head. Ladies and gentlemen we are living in the 21st century and yet we see organizations adopting a petty attitude because someone dares to speak their mind. No matter what Mr. Rigby has said, it is his right to say it and I should hope the PLP would have been big enough to accept that.

Of course they have avenues to deal with him and it is clear that he realizes that and has not offered himself for reelection. But just imagine what you would have thought about the maturity level displayed by the PLP had they made a simple statement along the lines that ‘we are disappointed with the statements made by our national chairman but as a democratic organization we respect the individual's right to differ’.

As for those who have attacked Mr. Rigby, one question I have is "why should I listen to Omar Archer?" He has the audacity to question the loyalty of Mr. Rigby when he himself was part of another party until very recently, and after that party's defeat at he polls he called for the resignation of his leader, Cassius Stuart. When that did not happen he abandoned ship and set sail on the SS PLP.

So not only has he proven himself a hypocrite, but at the same time his desire for power has caused him to view others as jackasses with short memories. Mr. Archer, you are a Johnny-come-lately to the PLP. You need to sit down and shut up. And as for your chances of winning the chairmanship by ingratiating yourself with the party hierarchy through this attack, your bid for power will be seen for what it is.

Maybe what Mr. Rigby said is true. But he is going to have a hard time convincing people that he is acting without malice or an ulterior motive, as I already noted.

It is so amazing how politicians find their voice and inner strength when they are out of favour, but act like sheep when they are in favour. Look at the two major parties and numerous examples can be cited. Within the PLP itself there are prominent examples from the last cabinet, including Bernard Nottage.

These men should be prepared to stand up for what they think is right, but it does not appear that we have any men with fortitude left. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not naive. I realize that there are rules in the game that prohibit persons from speaking out and require you to tow the party line. There is nothing, however, that stops you from doing so behind closed doors and that, in essence, is where the problem lies. As many of these so-called 'men' have refused to criticise even in private for fear of falling out of favour and losing what power they have.

Politicians in the Bahamas seek to hold on to office as long as they can. I have said this time and again. Do I expect my one voice to make a difference? Of course not. But I would like more people to realize that politicians don’t have a divine right to govern or lead their parties. We need to bring the younger generation along. The Conservative Party in Britain is now led by a man in his early 40s. And Tony Blair became prime minister in his 40s.

I had an opportunity to speak with former prime minister Perry Christie the other day and he told me that it was his plan to bring along the next generation to prepare them for leadership had he won the last election. He says he is still intent on doing so.

I would assume that Mr. Rigby called for the resignation of Mr. Christie based on the conventions that exist in the United Kingdom. There a leader would have demitted office the next day if his governing party was defeated.

As Mr. Christie has expressed a desire to bring along the next generation, the only question left is when? I hope that it is his intent to put in place new faces that have not be tainted by scandal, as well as make an early announcement on possible candidates for the next general election.

Comments

[Bob Knaus]

Yet another sterling example of why the Bahamas would benefit from a less-partisan layer of local government.

If the previous sentence intrigues or disturbs you, please e-mail me at bobknaus@pellucid.org