Shane Gibson: I’ll run in next election

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER MP and Cabinet minister Shane Gibson has confirmed that he is seeking a return to frontline politics and is hoping to run for the MICAL constituency in the next general election.

In an interview with The Tribune on Friday, Mr Gibson said his decision to leave retirement and re-enter the political arena was heavily influenced by area residents who have been calling for him to represent them.

He also said he had deep ties to MICAL because of his family background, some of whom were from the islands of Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua.

“My parents are from the (MICAL) area, and their grandparents are from that area so everyone knows me and so everybody knows my work ethics and everyone knows my commitment to building a constituency and The Bahamas and so, they know what they are getting when they get me,” he said

“So they are very excited and everyone is energised now so it looks very promising.”

Mr Gibson was contacted by this newspaper after a letter he wrote to Progressive Liberal Party Secretary General Barbara Cartwright, advising her of his plans to nominate himself for the area, was leaked to the media.

In the letter, dated October 5, Mr Gibson wrote: “In the months leading up to the 2021 general election, I was inundated with calls from frustrated voters who encouraged me to offer myself as a candidate.

“More than a year after the September 16 election, those calls continue. After prayerful consideration and deep discussions with my family, I would like to advise of my decision to offer myself as a candidate for the MICAL constituency in the 2026 general election.

“I have deep roots in the islands and cay that make up MICAL. My father, the late ‘King’ Eric Gibson was a son of Acklins soil, my late mother, Gerlene Glover, was a descendant of Crooked Island, my grandfather, the late T G Glover hailed from Inagua and so did my wife, Minister Jacqueline Gibson, who was born and raised on Inagua.

 “Additionally, during my time as union president, I was instrumental in the unionisation of Morton Salt on Inagua, which paved the way for better benefits and working conditions for employees. I wholeheartedly believe that in addition to my ability to connect with and fight for the ordinary Bahamian, these connections will be advantageous in securing the MICAL seat in the House of Assembly,” he added.

 Although Mr Gibson is already planning to canvas the MICAL constituency to gather support, he made it clear that he will not vie for the seat if Basil McIntosh, the sitting MP, decides to run again.

 Mr Gibson said he has already contacted Mr McIntosh to express his interest to contest as a candidate for the MICAL seat.

 The MICAL MP, he added, responded that he would brief him of his political plans “well in advance” ahead of the next general election.

 Mr McIntosh did not return this newspaper’s calls for comment up to press time.

 “Two things have to happen, number one – only if Basil will (not) run, I will continue to pursue it and number two, I would need the residents to show the support at the right time because I’m sure there will be other candidates vying for the constituency as well,” Mr Gibson said.

 He also dismissed criticisms about his plans to return to politics, saying no matter what he does, some people will always have something negative to say.

 “When I ran in the union election, those same people who talking now, you ever hear them say anything good about me so why listen to them? That’s their job,” he said.

 “So, what I’m saying is you can’t worry about those kinds of things. Those people who you hear talking, they don’t live in MICAL. They are people who if they see me cleaning on the side of the road, they will say why is he cleaning on the side of the road, they should allow someone else to do it.

 “No matter what I do, they will criticise it - but what I’m saying is you can’t live your life based on those who criticise everything you do or you won’t do anything.”

 Mr Gibson ran as the PLP’s candidate for the Golden Gates constituency in the 2002 general election, a seat he  represented until his defeat in the 2017 election.

 He served in various Cabinet positions under the Christie administration; his most recent ministerial post was Minister of Labour and National Insurance.

 However, after the Minnis administration won the 2017 general election, Mr Gibson was charged with crimes of bribery along with several other high-profile PLP figures.

 The former MP’s charges stemmed from allegations that he solicited and accepted thousands of dollars from contractor Jonathan Ash to expedite payments the government owed him for work done after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

 He was acquitted of the charges in November 2019 and later reached a $2.5 million settlement with the government after making claims of malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.

 Prior to his tenure in politics, Mr Gibson was the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union’s (BPCOU) president and also served in other roles in the union.

Comments

Emilio26 says...

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 The Shameless Shane Gibson has to be joking!!!

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:22 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

He's laughing because he knows just how easy it is to get a vote from someone like you. LMAO

Posted 11 October 2022, 12:45 p.m. Suggest removal

joeblow says...

... oh gawd!! This is the crux of why we are a fourth world country, people using politics for self service instead of national service! There should be term limits for all politicians!

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:39 a.m. Suggest removal

DonAnthony says...

He needs more shingles.

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:44 a.m. Suggest removal

KapunkleUp says...

This is the exact reason why we ain't going anywhere. Same garbage getting recycled over and over again.

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal

stillwaters says...

For some reason, all I visualize when I hear his name......is a lush, buxom, blonde named Anna Nicole......and shingles

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

.....................................

Posted 11 October 2022, 9:59 a.m. Suggest removal

JKnowles2022 says...

Shane Gibson have you no SHAME? The PLP would be silly (using this word because I can't cuss) to allow you to run. The Bahamian people know that your legal team was great. Please for Goodness sake go play golf and go fishing but STAY OUT OF POLITICS. Isn't the 2.5 Million ENOUGH? Trust me the Bahamian people are cussing you out. It's a new day. Perry gone.

Posted 11 October 2022, 10:35 a.m. Suggest removal

KapunkleUp says...

He probably spent all his money and needs more now.

Posted 11 October 2022, 12:17 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

The PLP is a Mafia-like organization ............. Basil McIntosh will be sacrificed for the Acklins-based gangster.

Basil McIntosh is a rich old man ......... the PLP will richly reward him to step aside (now or later). Just like they did to Persewell.

This is a dangerous precedent, but not something not to be expected from the PLP.

Posted 11 October 2022, 12:41 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Posted 11 October 2022, 1:16 p.m.

TalRussell says...

Regular sources known hangin' out around street corners of the MICAL constituency are hearing inner circle chatter of Comrade Shane setting up his **stall** early to win over the PLP's endorsement nod as party's official candidate in the **still a well-kept party mystery** surrounding the what could've possibly brought abouts the sprungin' of a soon to be announced By Election.
Look it up. It's all prophesied in Scripture __ Yes?

Posted 11 October 2022, 1:04 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

McIntosh may die any day, Shane knows that

Posted 11 October 2022, 5:33 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

I like Shane Gibson he was good for BTC union lots can happen before the next election I wish him well in all of his endovers

Posted 11 October 2022, 5:35 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

Wasn’t this the same ‘poor ole Shane who was very Ill and possibly losing his battle with prostrate cancer’. Shingles money never done!

Posted 11 October 2022, 5:35 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

The FNM have their own Long Island representive to deal with they over look that conventiley

Posted 11 October 2022, 5:42 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Two different cases: the LI case is PLP victimization by a despotic PM seeking payback.

It's funny what lengths Brave went to to save Shane's neck.
Wonder why????? Now Mr. Shingles getting his just due from the Boss

Posted 11 October 2022, 7:37 p.m. Suggest removal

Dawes says...

And this is why you are part of the problem. You see no issue with Shane as FNM have someone doing stuff as well. You only care about party and not country. Until we move past people like you we will continue to be in the mess we are.

Posted 12 October 2022, 8:13 a.m. Suggest removal

BONEFISH says...

The man has no shame nad has no remorse for his behaviour. He should be contrite and do not even fathom the idea of returning to politics.

Posted 11 October 2022, 7:40 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Lest you all forget ash had no credibility , and Deborah Thompson called witnesses together to fix their story Sheep runner you sound like trump that fellow has problem he got rid of johnson and Saunders it is the FNM who brought trumped up charged and dragged their opponents through the streets shackled

Posted 11 October 2022, 8:20 p.m. Suggest removal

jackbnimble says...

SHAME Gibson is the PLP's cruelest joke. All them shingles and he gat and he still want more. Someone needs to put a stop to this. For the love of all things decent, please don't do it!!

Posted 12 October 2022, 5:13 a.m. Suggest removal

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