PM: I need a compelling reason to stay on to lead party

Thursday, January 8, 2015

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said it would take a “compelling, tangible” reason for him to lead the Progressive Liberal Party into the next general election, revealing that he told his family during the lead-up to the last general election that the 2012 campaign would be his last.

Nonetheless, he added that people across the country continually urge him to remain leader of the PLP.

His comments came during the second part of a pre-recorded interview with State of Affairs, which was broadcast by ZNS on Tuesday night

before he left the country for China on official business.

“At this stage I do not know,” he said when asked about the possibility of extending his time in public life past this current term. “What I do know is that it would have to take compelling reasons for me to stay and those reasons have to do a lot with people, a lot with party sentiments, my colleagues who are with me in government but I would never, ever contemplate doing something like extending myself unless there was (a) compelling reason to do so.”

Mr Christie suggested that he made a conscious decision to stop talking about his political future, prompting critics to conclude that he has no plan to surrender leadership.

“I can tell you, I’m (hearing) from all quarters, from all over the Bahamas, people will say to me: ‘You have no place to go.’ I know how that has amounted to disappointment in the form of people who expect or who aspire to be leaders of the PLP and I expect in a democratic country, just as Dr (Bernard) Nottage decided to run against me at a time when I least expected it, but he’s my friend for life. He ran against me, we had a contest, I won the contest; the next moment I said ‘Come my brother, let’s get back together, let’s move on.’ That’s the way in which we deal with issues in this party.”

Mr Christie was referring to his time in opposition, when Dr Nottage challenged him for the PLP’s leadership.

“I told my family at the start of the campaign in 2012, this was the final campaign for me,” Mr Christie added. “I do know that people like Charles Carter would come to me and say ‘Stop from talking about you going; people will see you as a lame duck, say nothing about it.’ So I just stopped talking about it and as I stopped talking about it, then everybody became strident, ‘Oh he’s staying on, oh he’s doing that.”

“But something has to happen tangibly, politically, for there to be an understanding that I’m going to remain in public life,” he said. “I choose to focus on the fact that I have the opportunity to be a defining prime minister in this term, that I’ve had 40 consecutive years in public life, by the time I go to election I may have reached the stage almost of Sir Lynden Pindling, meaning that only Sir Roland Symonette is ahead of me. Now I have to be crazy if I were to be thinking of Sir Roland Symonette.

“I don’t know if I’m going to live that long, because he did 50 plus years at least so for me moving forward, I hope that I’m in good health and I’m able to demonstrate that I’m very energetic, that I have a tremendous grasp for the country and the way it should be going, that I’m amused when people talk about they need something new because I believe the policies and the innovations that I’m introducing are new to the Bahamas.”

However, last November Mr Christie told reporters he was prepared to lead the party into the next general election, but said no decision had been made. He also said he was “focused” completely on this term.

“Yes. I am always prepared,” he said last year, when asked if he was prepared to lead his party into another election. “Whether I go another term is another matter, but I am preparing, and I am preparing the party and the country for the kind of future it is going to have.”

Comments

GrassRoot says...

1 Million USD? 2 Million USD?

Posted 8 January 2015, 1:08 p.m. Suggest removal

TruthHurts says...

"Nonetheless, he added that people across the country continually urge him to remain leader of the PLP."

Who are these people? lol

Posted 9 January 2015, 9:13 a.m. Suggest removal

the ones that get the other money.

Posted 9 January 2015, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal

jlcandu says...

Mr. PM,

You certainly never disappoint with your rantings and ravings about yourself. Most people in the working world that have reached your age have retired by now, and let younger and more energetic persons to carry on the job. Since when do you need a compelling reason to stay on as leader??? You promised on the campaign trail (with so many promises, I guess it's hard to keep track, especially at your age!!) that you would be leaving office mid-term. Your deputy was then to take over the reins from you.

You are a typical Caribbean politician -- a hanger-on who doesn't know when it's time to go. I guess listening to your advisor, who also happens to have one foot in the grave, has the gotten the better of you. You obviously do not hear the cries and suffering of the people in this country, not to mention the people in your own constituency.

Do this country a big favour -- retire as soon as possible!!!

Posted 8 January 2015, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal

TheMadHatter says...

Why not pick someone - prop them up sufficiently with well know accomplishments and public recognition and then call a vote of no-confidence and have the Party MPs vote for a new leader and inform the Governor General?

It would be an historic happening and he would be the first to do it. Besides that if he wants a new person to be PM in 2017 - it would be better if they had a year or more as PM before the next election so they could prove themselves to the public. That would give that person an advantage over Minnis.

**TheMadHatter**

Posted 8 January 2015, 1:24 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

I hope he runs. I want so bad to see him humiliated.....

Posted 8 January 2015, 1:43 p.m. Suggest removal

USAhelp says...

He will run need to cover for his cronies

Posted 8 January 2015, 1:58 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades only an addicted campaigner could stand before the media to offer such a categorical “yes” warning to his ambitious PLP leadership hopefuls, that he’ll be leading the PLP party during the 2017 general elections. This PM hasn't even started yet, saying the stuff he will say.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…

Posted 8 January 2015, 2:28 p.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

It is absurd that we are even entertaining the notion of this man "leading" his Party at the next election. The PLP is a "busted flush" and has become unelectable. Roll on May 2017 when we can put an end to the "lunatics running the asylum".

Posted 8 January 2015, 2:38 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrade Honestman and who do you plan on replacing PLP cabinet with? Before you answer, tell me what separates the governing and former governing parties? They just transfer peoples crown lands different sets people.

Posted 8 January 2015, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

@TalRussell

That's why I say we vote independent people who have good track records in their communities! Stop voting for these major parties and embarrass them next general election by going independent! This way 'REAL LEADERS' with growth potential can have a chance to get their feet wet.

I really don't see how much more damage electing fresh candidates can ruin the country anymore than these parties have done in the past to present day.

Posted 9 January 2015, 9:18 a.m. Suggest removal

John says...

The fact is they never intended the Bahamas to be a free or independent nation. Ever since independence in 1973 the national debt has been increasing exponentially. The intention of the powers that be was to saddle Bahamians with debt and make their lives miserable as it becomes near impossible to pay this debt. And our leaders fell for this scam hook, line and sinker. Now the government is being advised to sell off our national assets. This will put the country in an even more precarious situation. The same thing was done to Haiti when it bought its freedom over 200 years ago. The entire world refused to trade with Haiti, and even today it is discriminated against, even by us Bahamians. Be careful the same shoe doesn't fit our foot. The numbers boys better stay clean as a new whistle jed!

Posted 8 January 2015, 2:39 p.m. Suggest removal

The_Oracle says...

Wrong approach:
Instead think of the 350 odd thousand reasons to demit office NOW!

Posted 8 January 2015, 2:52 p.m. Suggest removal

The most compelling reason for Perry Christie to run in 2017: ***HUBERT ALEXANDER INGRAHAM***

Posted 8 January 2015, 3:08 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

HAI??????? Please!!!!!!!!! SLOP and HAI already got humiliated ...... PGC should be advised of his so called "legacy" ........... RETIRE WITH DIGNITY

Posted 8 January 2015, 3:12 p.m. Suggest removal

@John

What the hell you going on about??? There's a SEAT at the back for yah! Please take it! : (

Posted 9 January 2015, 9:24 a.m. Suggest removal

We need to ask him: what is that compelling reason???????? Personally, there is no logical answer to that question.

This is what I'm thinking.

Posted 9 January 2015, 9:25 a.m. Suggest removal

The mere fact that Perry will say this speaks for the quality of real leaders in the PLP at this time ......... the PLP MPs in the Cabinet are toothless, inept and ballsless ........ OR part of the conspiracy to pass the torch of leadership to Hubert Minnis (because they cannot oust PGC).

Posted 8 January 2015, 3:28 p.m. Suggest removal

stillwaters says...

Poor Perry! He just looks so tired and bust up!

Posted 8 January 2015, 4:45 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

Just get lost man go away shoo,scat, vanish pleaseeeeeeeeeee

Posted 8 January 2015, 4:46 p.m. Suggest removal

ObserverOfChaos says...

PLEASE!!! LEEEEEEAVE....there are NO compelling reason for you to STAY!!!!

Posted 8 January 2015, 5:35 p.m. Suggest removal

Posted 8 January 2015, 5:48 p.m. Suggest removal

Another compelling reason : Perry G.( G for GO) Christie will find that outside of politics he cannot afford to live his lifestyle (though not lavish) in the Bahamas he help create! The middle class and lower upper class has been anniliated.

Posted 8 January 2015, 6:10 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Nothing but the rantings of a deranged and delusional oaf who just can't manage to "get it up" anymore!

Posted 8 January 2015, 10:49 p.m. Suggest removal

Mudda-take-sic that's cold!

Posted 9 January 2015, 9:27 a.m. Suggest removal

Even Camel wouldn't want put up PM Christie's ramblings.

.......//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjIME2BweZ8

Posted 9 January 2015, 1:22 a.m. Suggest removal

carmichaelrdgal says...

Get lost Christie, never will miss you. Your leadership is such a shame for the Bahamas. You should leave now!

Posted 9 January 2015, 5:58 a.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

One compelling reason for him to stay would be to make sure The Bahamas does not get a Freedom of Information act before he crosses the river Jordan. That way he and his cronie's can carry on playing like they are leading the faithful to the promised land. This would also make Birdie and other blind faithful super happy, Maybe towards the end he can pass out cool aid just like Jamestown, Jim Jones would have nothing on him.

Alex_Charles says...

Perry please carry your a$$

Posted 9 January 2015, 1:02 p.m. Suggest removal

Perry really is delusional if he actually thinks people in this country wants him to run again....

Posted 9 January 2015, 1:45 p.m. Suggest removal

The Bahamian Mugabe????????????? Time to go Perry.......... Centreville/Farm Road needs a real MP who cares about the inner city, not use it as a safe seat for political gain

Posted 9 January 2015, 2:21 p.m. Suggest removal

happyfly says...

How about another weekly suitcase of cash from the numbers boys...very compelling !?

Posted 9 January 2015, 2:46 p.m. Suggest removal

Greentea says...

Dear Prime Minister,
Whoever whispering in your ears sir- LYING! It is past time for you to go. If you stay on it means the party is weak and unstable due to infighting. That's what you get for thinking ya ga be here forever and not mentoring replacements. But I digress. If you don't quietly go into the sunset, like LOP and HAI you will be soundly defeated to the point of humiliation. They both thought they knew more than the people too and preferred the harmonies of "yes" men and women, than the drumming of the other people as they chanted- time to go! You know something if you need your hip cut- again - to send you into retirement- so be it. Put plenty shea butter on it- because it is going to hurt. Reading this really makes me sad though because after 40 years in "public service" what exactly is your legacy? What will your Prime Ministership be remembered for? What have you done as a leader to improve this country? What was your vision when you came into this and can you list point by point what you have achieved in service to that vision?
Sincerely,
Bahamian

Posted 9 January 2015, 2:59 p.m. Suggest removal

maryann says...

Go man noooooooooooooow

Posted 10 January 2015, 7:23 p.m. Suggest removal