PLP ‘lacks a leader’ to succeed Christie

Friday, May 1, 2015

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Immigration Minister Loftus Roker expressed concern yesterday about the Progressive Liberal Party’s future, saying that it lacks a leader who could successfully succeed Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Mr Roker lamented what he sees as a paucity of leadership talent within the ranks of his party.

The assessment of the former Pindling-era Cabinet minister was delivered while speaking to reporters.

Arguing that the country is headed in the wrong direction, he dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis as a potential successor, saying Mr Davis is “indecisive”.

He added that if he were elected prime minister, the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP would be no different from Mr Christie.

“I don’t see anybody that could replace (Mr Christie),” he said.

Mr Roker noted that in one of the rare times in which he voted during a party convention, he supported Mr Davis’ bid to become the PLP’s deputy leader in 2009 and counts him as a friend.

However, he said: “I am not satisfied that he could be a replacement and I don’t know anything about the rest so that is why the thing is so gloomy. Forget the FNM and the PLP. I worry about the country. What’s going to happen to The Bahamas?”

Mr Roker said he has lost confidence in Mr Davis “because of the way he’s acting as deputy prime minister (by) not making decisions.”

He added: “I don’t think he would be any different from Christie if he runs and I say that though he is my friend. And he’s closer to me than Christie is and Christie would tell you that ‘Loftus can tell you what’s on my mind.’ Mr Davis, I am satisfied, for whatever reason I don’t know, he does not have the capacity to make decisions and when you go below that level in the party’s leadership it gets worse.”

The PLP will turn its attention to the party’s future when it holds a party convention, expected this summer.

Party Chairman Bradley Roberts has said that the leadership positions in the party will be up for grabs at that time.

Mr Christie, who is currently serving his second, non-consecutive term, has not given any clear indication of his political future.

However, earlier this year, in a pre-recorded interview with State of Affairs, Mr Christie, 71, said it would take a “compelling, tangible” reason for him to lead his party into the next general election, revealing that he told his family in the lead-up to the last general election that the 2012 campaign would be his last. Nonetheless, he said that people across the country continually to urge him to remain leader of the party.

Comments

asiseeit says...

The P{LP needs to be abolished, the harm it has done to this country is immeasurable. They have destroyed a once thriving and vibrant country.

Posted 1 May 2015, 12:56 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

Not only abolished ,but all the players sent to the Bahamas Correctional facilities. I like the new name

Posted 1 May 2015, 1:23 p.m. Suggest removal

FNM_Retards says...

First they need to abolish the FNM, they are just disgruntled PLPs, in fact they are even worse than the PLP. Once the wutless FNM is abolished, for their part in destroying this country from 2007-2012, then we can talk about the PLP and see if a NEW party can be created. And DNA is just an offshoot of the FNM, it was created by a disgruntled FNM leader. So basically none of those 3 parties need apply, and if you are voting for one you are voting for all 3 of them.

Posted 2 May 2015, 9:43 p.m. Suggest removal

TruthHurts says...

Good Point!

Posted 3 May 2015, 9:28 a.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

I hope he is not lining up PGC for another decade. If you compare the PLP to the shepherd and the sheep, if the shepherd is gone, all you have is sheep.

Posted 1 May 2015, 12:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Tommy77 says...

What a mess.<img src="http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/bg…" style="display:none"><img src="http://s05.flagcounter.com/mini/WUu/bg_…" style="display:none">

Posted 1 May 2015, 1:35 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

They have self-distruct as predicted by DR. Myles Munroe about a year ago! Dr. M said that we will see and hear about their foolishness like we have never seen or heard before. We will think that the whole world has gone crazy!!!

Posted 1 May 2015, 2:15 p.m. Suggest removal

DonAnthony says...

The PLP lacks a leader now! I have never seen a more passive, indiscisive, decision- less, procrastinator in my life - he is the antithesis of a leader and we all suffer for it.

Posted 1 May 2015, 2:16 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Pindling overthrew HM Taylor ................... Pindling retired after two election losses/dying of cancer ....................... Perry will follow suit.

Pindling and Christie have hijacked the PLP constitution and they are really operating as dictators within the party................... there is too much personality cult culture in the PLP

Posted 1 May 2015, 2:33 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Loftus Roker's inference here that Perry "Vomit" Christie is a leader who has not planned for his succession tells me only one thing: Loftus Roker is now completely bereft of any sensibility whatsoever! The Bahamas is in the mess that it is in today because Vomit, like Hubiggity, never was and never could be competent to serve as a leader!! The Tribune does nothing for its credibility in journalism by resorting to brain dead commentary from Loftus!!! To The Tribune's editor I say: Get out there and do some real investigative journalism instead of simply trying to stir the pot at little or no cost to The Tribune's bottom line!!!!

Posted 1 May 2015, 2:53 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

The FNM's do ramble,

Posted 1 May 2015, 3:09 p.m. Suggest removal

See, the thing you do not get is I am not an FNM, PLP, Or DNA, I am a BAHAMIAN, silly goose.

Posted 1 May 2015, 3:37 p.m. Suggest removal

Yes birdie it is time you put country before party. I have voted for three different parties in the last three elections - can you say the same? I could care less what is best for any party, I care about the Bahamas. If you and many bahamians were true patriots and put the common good above party we would be in a far better place.

Posted 1 May 2015, 4:06 p.m. Suggest removal

Birdie, aka #IamPLP

Posted 1 May 2015, 4:36 p.m. Suggest removal

Fuck the FNM and their supporters - they raped and pillaged this country and now they can go burn in hell.

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

TheMadHatter says...

Dr. Andre Rollins will be the next leader of the PLP. He is the only one stepping up and doing something - and the people know it.

**TheMadHatter**

Posted 1 May 2015, 8:25 p.m. Suggest removal

Doc Rollins will not even be a member of the PLP by 2017 .................. BOL

Posted 2 May 2015, 4:11 p.m. Suggest removal

I like Rollins.. but I don't like the company he keeps (PLP)! If and whenever he goes independent I will be sure to vote for him. Not before!

There are hardworking individuals in all prospective parties.. but as long as they roll with the usual suspects; they wont be getting my vote.

Posted 3 May 2015, 9:36 a.m. Suggest removal

The FNM retards also lack a LEADER. Cant say much for the DNA Either. Guess yall need to vote for the CHINESE in 2017.

Posted 2 May 2015, 9:42 p.m. Suggest removal

LOL

Posted 3 May 2015, 9:37 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

PLP lacks a leader. No qualifying statement required

Posted 3 May 2015, 2:13 p.m. Suggest removal