As the Progressive Liberal Party prepares for its 48th convention next month, many council members and stalwart councillors are expressing their dissatisfaction over the performance of the government of Prime Minister Perry Christie.
Many ministers are being roundly criticized for what is being termed lackadaisical performance.
The government also faces mounting criticism for poor public relations efforts, particularly by certain Ministers.
In an interview to be heard this Sunday on the Love 97 Radio Programme “Jones And Company”, former PLP Chairman Andrew Dud Maynard, who is still a stalwart councillor, says Ministers are not giving the Bahamian people “value for our money.”
“We’re paying a lot of people and I can see a couple of people performing, but, you know, I don’t see us getting value for our money,” Mr. Maynard said.
Echoing the sentiments of some other stalwarts, he added, “In my estimation, the government is a bit too lackadaisical to me.”
He added, “A lot of people in the government today didn’t do an apprenticeship so they don’t understand where we came from and they don’t understand the small man as well as they should and sometimes I wonder if the PLP understands where its support comes from.
“Its support comes from the grassroots and the grassroots would drop you if they feel that you are neglecting them. But you would be dropped even faster by the…young professionals if you seem to be doing things that would not make their life the way they want it to be. So, in a nut shell, I’m not pleased with the way things are going.”
During last year’s convention, Prime Minister Christie spoke of a new style of leadership that involves consultation. Responding to criticisms at the time that he moved too slowly in making decisions, he again reiterated that he would rather take his time and get it right than rush and get it wrong.
Mr. Maynard said during his interview that, “I hope that style doesn’t cause too much suffering in our midst, among our people.”
There is some disaffection for some ministers of the government who are said not to be performing up to the expectations of some council members and it is believed that in the closed sessions of the party that these ministers will be upbraided and others will even be asked to step aside.
Indeed, some Ministers are pushing for the prime minister to fire or discipline one of their colleagues who reportedly consistently embarrasses Mr. Christie and his government.
The chairmanship of the party is also up for grabs as the November 16 – 22 convention approaches.
There are many council members and delegates who are said to be dissatisfied with the performance of attorney Raynard Rigby who they claim has been ineffectual as chairman over the last year.
There are some delegates who believe that Mr. Rigby should be replaced. One council member said he seems “ill suited” and does not have the political maturity to build the machinery of the party and to keep it as the party of choice for the small man – the bedrock of the organization.
In this 50th year of the party, Mr. Rigby’s team of officers is said to have been ineffective in executing plans for the anniversary celebrations of the organization.
Mr. Rigby said that it would be unfair for him to respond to such a statement because there is no specific person or specific charges to respond to.
He pointed out that there are many other stalwarts who hold a different view.
Many party supporters expected that during the golden jubilee year of the PLP, the organization would have been proactive in consolidating its support and in recalling the glory days of the organization.
The Bahama Journal
