George Smith claims PLP will not nominate Anthony Moss for Euxma at next election

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Cabinet minister George Smith insisted that the Progressive Liberal Party would not nominate Exuma MP Anthony Moss in that constituency for the next general election, saying the parliamentarian is not viewed as being good enough for the job.

However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts dismissed the notion when contacted yesterday, saying: “The people of the PLP branch in Exuma will determine if he will be the nominee next time around, not George Smith. That’s George Smith’s opinion.”

Still, Mr Smith said talks are taking place in the PLP about replacing Mr Moss, though he acknowledged that no definite determination could be made until next year when the party establishes its candidates committee.

Mr Smith, who once represented Exuma in the House of Assembly, has been consistent in his criticism of Mr Moss’ performance as a parliamentarian over the years, saying yesterday that the PLP would lose the Exuma seat if it renominated him.

“I think Anthony Moss is probably a very nice individual,” Mr Smith said. “To his friends he is pleasant. He is active in his church and one of the regular people around George Town. It’s just that the Bahamas is operating in the big league. The problems facing the Bahamas are immense. Solutions will be complex. Everyone who seeks a nomination must be able to address the complex issues facing the country. This is the bottom of the ninth inning and we need the best batters to come up. We can’t afford someone who can’t knock a home run.”

Although he has won his seat in Exuma for the past three consecutive elections, Mr Moss, who is parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, has kept a low profile on the national stage.

His successive victories, however, have not impressed Mr Smith, who has pointed to the narrow margins of those wins as proof the PLP can’t view Exuma as a PLP stronghold.

In 2012, Mr Moss won Exuma by a little more than 100 votes over the Free National Movement’s candidate Phenton Neymour. A third candidate from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Floyd Armbrister, received less than 100 votes.

“When you win a seat by just over 50 per cent, you can’t consider that a stronghold,” Mr Smith said. “Based on what one gathers from Exuma, the party has lost support in some areas where we were almost impregnable in the past.”

Mr Moss could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Responding to speculation about which candidates are being considered for Exuma, Mr Smith said the PLP is considering creating an additional seat for that island.

He said: “Exuma is larger than all the other southern islands. Obviously when the Boundaries Committee meets, they will consider making Exuma have two seats.

“The economy of Exuma will grow, will become probably the third largest economic area in the country rivalling Abaco, and Abaco has two seats.

“The population there will soon rival the population of Eleuthera, and Eleuthera has two seats.”

The next election must take place by May 2017.

Comments

themessenger says...

The nomination won't be yours either Georgie..................go back out to the pasture.

Posted 27 November 2015, 1:04 p.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

the only way the economy of exuma is going to rival abaco's economy is if they start moving drugs through the island again.....

Posted 27 November 2015, 1:15 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Here's what one well-known Bahamian journalist had to say about George Smith's role in the history of the Bahamas as far back as 1982: ".....the Bahamas was in the throes of a criminal takeover by South American drug cartels. The Colombian flag was raised over Norman's Cay in George Smith's Exuma constituency by the notorious gangster Carlos Lehder, who drove ordinary visitors away at gunpoint and orchestrated hourly cocaine flights to the US. The 1984 Commission of Inquiry found that Smith had accepted gifts and hospitality from Lehder, who is now serving a long sentence in an American jail. In fact, one parliamentarian said at the time that 'Pindling and his crew make the Bay Street Boys look like schoolchildren.'" Smith will tell you he has since welcomed the Good Lord into his life and sought, found and received forgiveness and redemption for all of his earlier transgressions.....WHAT A BUNCH OF POPPY COCK FOR ANYONE WHO REALLY KNOWS THIS SCOUNDREL!

Posted 27 November 2015, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

I guess that easy money was easy to spend and the old guy is broke, funny how that works with these PLP's. As the old saying goes, "it is easy to spend easy money". Looks like old drug tainted scum wants to start sucking on the public treasury's teat once again. To bad Carlos Leader is locked up for life, wish he had taken some Bahamian politicians with him.

Posted 27 November 2015, 1:28 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

I want to enlighten you Comrade Georgie, the 2017 General's theater is shaping up to become much too crowded have any such a thing as a PLP or FNM stronghold grip over any of the Honourable House of Assembly seats.
Oh yes, Exuma, Abaco, Long Island, Montagu, Centerville Grand Bahama and Pinewood constituencies, will be included in the long list constituencies to experience never before seen election theatrics.
Voters done home rehearsing how to stage the most unpredictable politicking theatrics in Bahamaland's long electoral history.
I just wanted to stop by to tell you via Tribune blog, that the way politicians did things, as they you so like calls it, ain't to be no more.

Posted 27 November 2015, 1:58 p.m. Suggest removal

Regardless says...

I guess Mr. Moss is not the type to drive around visiting his constituents with a sweetheart in the car.

Posted 27 November 2015, 3:42 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

The Editorial Page of the Tribune Writes about PLP"s who are talking to her about the PLP. It must be George Smith. Why in this world would he go to the News paper to talk about Mr: Moss and what plans they may or may not have for him. Mr .Moss deserves more respect than that. Should we say JUDAS??

Posted 28 November 2015, 7:55 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

George Smith left the children in George Town Primary in trailers ...................... they are still in trailers

Posted 29 November 2015, 4:41 p.m. Suggest removal

Abaconian says...

Just out of curiosity...why is George Smith's name continually in the papers?

Posted 29 November 2015, 6:33 p.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

he answers phone calls.
reporters have to report something and, when they feel lazy, they call people who always have something to say.

talk show hosts do it too, when things are slow, they allow the usual suspects to speak for 30-40 minutes.

Posted 29 November 2015, 10:52 p.m. Suggest removal

DaForestMayor says...

This Man have been jockeying this Seat for past 8 years. It's painfully obvious he is doing All that he Can to secure that nomination nation and Seat for his Nephew Frank Smith.
Yes the village idiot.
I guess a dynasty of Smiths are the Only Ones that can really represent Exuma.

Posted 30 November 2015, 10:16 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

But ............ who do Exumians wish to represent them?????? Are they satisfied with Moss?????? Are they happy with has-been George speaking for them?????? Do they wish to see their island split for political reasons??? Do they care about their political future??? It is high time that Family Islanders demand more as a political caucus to prevent the Nassaucentric approach to governance that we have experienced

Posted 30 November 2015, 7:24 p.m. Suggest removal

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