Copyright thenassauguardian
The late Vaughn Miller has had the dignified sendoff he deserved with tributes in Parliament and farewells at his funeral on Friday. Attention now shifts to filling the seat left vacant by his unexpected death on September 28. Weeks earlier, Miller told The Nassau Guardian he did not intend to run again in Golden Isles, a seat he won as an FNM in 2017, and then as a PLP in 2021. The by-election to fill that seat is set for November 24, a little less than a month away. In 2021, more voters were registered in Golden Isles than in any of the other 38 constituencies across the country (7,391). The constituency is an election bellwether – over multiple elections, the successful candidate has been a member of the party that ultimately won the government. Miller won the seat with 50 percent of the votes cast (2,471) in the constituency in 2021. In that election, 2,496 of the registered voters in Golden Isles did not vote. In 2017, when he ran on the FNM’s ticket, Miller won the seat with 56 percent of the votes. In 2012, the PLP’s Michael Halkitis won with 48.11 percent of the votes (2,220). The FNM’s Charles Maynard won 39.29 percent of the votes (1,556) that year. Maynard represented the constituency during the 2007-2012 term. The PLP has named Senator Darron Pickstock as its candidate for Golden Isles. The by-election will be a test of the mood of the people in general. Prime Minister Philip Davis knows this. Speaking at an event in the constituency on Saturday, he said, “We are here in Golden Isles because this by-election matters. It matters not simply because of one seat, but because it will decide whether we continue the forward momentum this country has worked so hard to build.” He added, “This election is a test of whether we still believe in progress, whether we believe in steady hands, sound judgment, and a government that fights for working families. The truth is, we need this seat to continue building a fairer, stronger Bahamas. We need it to protect the progress we have made and to ensure that the next chapter of our country’s story is one of growth, opportunity, and dignity for all.” The by-election will be seen as a referendum on the Davis administration. A loss in Golden Isles would send a troubling signal to the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Such a loss might also inspire the party to work even harder in an effort to secure a second term in office. Tomorrow will mark one month since Miller’s passing. While Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard had urged the prime minister to forgo a by-election and call an early general election, he did not get that wish. The FNM has given no indication whether it intends to contest the by-election, though yesterday the party shared photos with the media of its leader, other party officials and its Golden Isles candidate Brian Brown canvassing the constituency. Brown gave media interviews on Saturday explaining his preparedness to represent Golden Isles. We are told that internally, the party is still having discussions on whether it will run a candidate in the by-election. There is the view among some influential elements of the FNM that there is little to be gained from a win in Golden Isles next month, and that the party should put its energies and resources into the general election, which is constitutionally due in 2026. Another view is that a loss in Golden Isles would hurt the FNM as it seeks to portray itself as formidable ahead of the big dance. Sitting out the by-election would not impact the balance of power, or make any kind of shift in the House of Assembly as the term wanes. Other FNMs fear the optics of sitting out the by-election would show the party as weak and ill prepared. This is certainly a political gamble for Pintard, and a tough political call. A win could bolster the FNM ahead of the general election. If the party loses, it would be no worse off than it was before the by-election. We can expect the governing party to put its all into winning Golden Isles for fear it would be seen to be losing momentum as it prepares for a general election in which it will seek to convince Bahamians to grant the PLP a second term in office. This is no doubt what the prime minister meant when he spoke of the by-election being a “test”. The by-election outcome would likely tell an interesting tale – whether or not the FNM is in the race. Come Friday, which is Nomination Day, the roll of contestants will be clear as the spotlight brightens on Golden Isles.
