By Earyel Bowleg

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has brushed aside concerns raised by Southern Shores MP Leroy Major, who recently claimed that Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) backbenchers are sidelined and face difficulty accessing government resources for their constituencies.

Responding to questions for the first time since Major’s public criticism, Mr Davis told reporters: “I make nothing of that. I mean, I don’t know why he says that. Maybe you have to ask him what he makes of it.”

Mr Major suggested that Cabinet ministers have preferential access to government support, leaving backbenchers at a disadvantage. Mr Davis pushed back, saying that such claims reflect a misunderstanding of how governance works. He emphasised that under his leadership, the distribution of national resources is being handled fairly.

Pressed further about perceptions of unequal access, he said these narratives are being shaped by those who don’t fully grasp the mechanics of governance.

He made these comments on the sidelines of the PLP’s “Eastern Link Up,” a rally-style gathering for supporters in Elizabeth, Yamacraw, Fox Hill, and Sea Breeze. Mr Davis described the event as a chance to energise party members, share progress updates, and reinforce the administration’s agenda.

In his address, he urged the party to intensify its efforts in the remaining term. “This is no time to ease up,” he said, calling on members to “lock in” and focus on “pushing harder, delivering faster and reaching further”.

He also launched into a scathing critique of Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, challenging his leadership record and accusing him of dodging accountability. “The man nearly had a meltdown just because someone asked for his résumé,” he said.

He accused Mr Pintard of misrepresenting his administration’s support for the creative economy and Bahamian artists. “I am using the word ‘lie’ intentionally because anyone who don’t tell the truth is a liar,” he declared.

Turning to the Free National Movement (FNM), he blamed the opposition’s governance on persistent internal conflict and leadership instability. “They came together to win the election, but after that, their dysfunctional internal conflicts got in the way of them governing,” he said. “If you cannot manage your caucus, how can you manage a country?”

He went on to highlight what he called achievements under his administration: reduced electricity bills for over 66,000 Bahamians, the promotion of more than 3,500 public servants, and 56 labor agreements covering sectors such as education, healthcare, and national security.

“That’s over $44m in the hands of working people,” he said. 

Concluding his remarks, he issued a directive to public service agencies, calling for an end to bureaucratic delays. “Stop giving the people the runaround. The small issues shouldn’t have to come to Brave to solve,” he said.