Picewell Forbes deserved better

Dear Editor,

I am saddened by the seemingly shoddy manner in which the Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes has been treated by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) top brass.

Like Mr. Forbes, I was under the impression that his renomination for his South Andros constituency would’ve been automatic, as was assured in 2020, amid rumors that Monique Pindling, daughter of Sir Lynden Pindling, was canvassing the South Andros community with the aim at getting the nomination.

With the PLP winning only four seats in the 2017 general election, with only one seat in New Providence where Ms Pindling resides, her politicking in South Andros gave neutral observers the impression that Forbes was being clandestinely undermined, with the tacit approval of certain powerful “mucka mucks” within the organization.

I admire the ‘Hometown Boy’s’ professionalism in discussing the issues that led to his decision not to seek renomination with the press. His criticism of the PLP top brass was circumspect, in all things considered. As a PLP loyalist, Forbes refused to rake the PLP leadership over the hot coals or to speak ill of the PLP.

Forbes, in my opinion, was dealt a bad hand. The Monique Pindling matter could’ve easily been settled by an unequivocal endorsement of the Central and South Andros incumbent by the PLP hierarchy.

What is deeply unsettling to individuals like this writer who support Mr. Forbes, is that the support that the PLP top brass is giving to Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller seems to have not been extended to Forbes, who has presumably been a member of the party for decades.

Miller is a Johnny-come-lately, having just joined the PLP in September 2020. Amid rumblings by PLPs about Miller getting the PLP nod over Michael Halkitis in Golden Isles, the PLP top brass issued a statement, assuring Miller that he was safe. Forbes, on the other hand, was never afforded this courtesy in South Andros. The PLP hierarchy seemed unwilling to circle the wagons around the MP.

Representing South Andros since 2007, one would’ve thought that Forbes would’ve been treated with seniority. But it would appear that he was treated like an inconsequential backbencher.

With The Nassau Guardian’s revelation that two PLP prospects were canvassing South Andros, it would appear that the organization was being forked tongue over this entire nomination process in South Andros.

If the PLP top brass wanted to sever ties with Forbes, it should have been straightforward with him from the get go and told him so, rather than having him waste his time and limited resources going on a fool’s errand.

Never mind the noise in the market, Forbes has been a good MP for South Andros, who did the best he could under the circumstances he was saddled with. With the system being structured the way it is, backbenchers who don’t have deep pockets are at a disadvantage. Had he been appointed to the Christie Cabinet in 2012, I am certain that Forbes would’ve accomplished far more in his constituency. No one can question Forbes’ love for Andros.

The criticisms leveled against Forbes would be leveled against every other MP in Parliament by ungrateful Bahamians.

For example, you have Bahamians who have collected thousands in National Insurance Board jobless benefits who have the gall to say that the government has done absolutely nothing.

This is the type of irrationality politicians are faced with while on the campaign trail. Bahamians believe that once they have voted for you, you owe them a “gubment” job. And these will be the very ones to raise hell when the government raise taxes in order to meet its massive payroll.

I wish the ‘Hometown Boy’ all the best in his future endeavors as a private citizen. Forbes will leave frontline politics with his integrity intact. The Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros MP has nothing to be ashamed of.

— Kevin Evans

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