By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2023. — Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, who was re-elected as Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party at its 55th Convention on Friday, posted a collection of photos on Facebook on Sunday, November 12, with the following narrative:
“Fred Mitchell Chair of the PLP giving the Lynden Pindling Platinum Awards to those PLPs for outstanding service to. the party at the 70th anniversary banquet at the end of Convention 55. 11 November 2023.”
I absolutely had to share the photos along with a report on Mr. Mitchell’s successful campaign in what was a contentious race for the chairmanship against Deputy Chainman Robyn Lynes with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among Bahamians in the diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
Reporting on Mr. Mitchell’s chairmanship victorying its Saturday, November 11, publication, The Nassau Guardian noted that in defeating Ms. Lynes in “a closely watched race” by a margin of 844 votes to 630 votes, Mr. Mitchell “had the support of Prime Minister Philip Davis.”
Reacting to his victory, The Guardian quoted Mr. Mitchell as saying: “My view in personal terms, it’s an affirmation of my humanity, given the nastiness of the campaign and all of the salaciousness that went along with it. Then secondly, I want to thank the Prime Minister for that affirmation. It was that prejudice that was exhibited that caused him to make the public statement that he did. I’m pleased to be associated with someone that makes such a definitive statement. And then, secondly, in terms of our party, it means that we can move forward to tackle the bye-election, which we should have been doing and not distracted by this.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Lynes said that despite not holding office in the party, she intends to continue to do her part to build the party.
The Guardian quoted her as saying: “I may not be a person to hold an office, but I’m a leader and I will continue to be a leader in this party. Tomorrow is another day and I believe that the future for our party, and the future for me is really bright.”
