The political dynamics of The Bahamas could change significantly in a matter of days as Prime Minister Perry Christie and the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) Dr. Bernard Nottage are holding what has been described as “meaningful talks on Dr. Nottage rejoining the Progressive Liberal Party.
The Bahama Journal has confirmed from a number of sources that the prime minister and Dr. Nottage could announce imminently this move which political observers believe could give the PLP a shot in the arm.
Dr. Nottage has privately expressed his willingness to support the Progressive Liberal Party government in any way he could.
The talks between Dr. Nottage and Mr. Christie have placed some aspirant politicians in the PLP in something of a tizzy since Dr. Nottage is a former deputy leader of the party and is known to have significant support in the Council and the Cabinet of the PLP.
With the announcement that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has agreed to become the parliamentary leader of the Free National Movement, certain PLP’s are urging that talks between Mr. Christie and Dr. Nottage become fruitful as the PLP needs to regain political momentum.
In leadership elections for the PLP on first rounds of voting, Dr. Nottage polled more votes than Mr. Christie, but on second rounds of voting Mr. Christie was able to garner the support of the other candidate in the race, Philip Galanis, to defeat Dr. Nottage.
There are several members of Mr. Christie’s present Cabinet who supported Dr. Nottage over Mr. Christie, including Bradley Roberts, Allyson Gibson, Leslie Miller and V. Alfred Gray.
One source close to the negotiations said that the PLP needs to counter any positive move being made by the Free National Movement so that the party (the PLP) can retain its base of support throughout the country.
The source said that Dr. Nottage has tremendous organizational skills and was called upon by the late Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling to produce the 1997 Covenant for Progress and Prosperity for the PLP.
However, Dr. Nottage fell out of grace with the PLP in its last leadership election before the death of Sir Lynden in 2000.
Since the recent illness of Mr. Christie, many stalwart PLP’s have been agitating for the return of Dr. Nottage.
It is not clear if Mr. Christie would appoint Dr. Nottage to the vacant Senate seat or any other position in the party. However, Mr. Christie has expressed some reticence before now to avoid any fallout with members of his Cabinet.
One strategy that is gaining legs in the party is that the prime minister could invite Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt to become governor general, thereby relinquishing her seat for St. Cecilia.
Dame Ivy Dumont, the present governor general, is scheduled to retire at the end of November.
Should Mrs. Pratt be appointed to replace her, Dr. Nottage could become the PLP candidate for St. Cecelia.
This would be bad news for certain PLP’s who anticipated either the elevation or the retirement of Mrs. Pratt.
Should Dr. Nottage rejoin the PLP this would deal the CDR with a political blow as he is the founder and chief executive officer of the party. Some political observers say the CDR would become defunct.
Last night,Dr. Nottage denied that he was in any kind of talks with the prime minister and said there was no meeting planned.
From: The Bahama Journal
