Leroy Major’s political crossroads: Run independent or resign?
Southern Shores Member of Parliament Leroy Major has already revealed that he is at odds with his party, the Progressive Liberal Party, following a string of public statements.
He already said that he asked to run again for Southern Shores and was denied. The party ratified Obie Roberts instead. He publicly stated he would support Clint Watson, but not Roberts, and warned that the party would “have to face” him if the party did not oblige.
And just recently he fired back at Roberts in a video clip, accusing him of cleaning up a problem that he says was created after party headquarters interfered with contracts tied to his constituency.
He claimed the park maintenance was always under contract but alleged that someone from PLP headquarters removed his control over the contracts and reassigned them “just to sabotage me.”
He also insisted that ongoing roadwork in the area was Phase Two of a project he initiated — “nothing to do with you and nothing to do with the (PLP) banner.”
Leroy Major has two real options:
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Run as an Independent.
This would split the PLP vote in Southern Shores and create a serious vulnerability for the party in a seat it would prefer to hold onto. Major has name recognition in the area and it is still not clear how strong his base is. Even if he does not win, he could weaken the PLP enough to make the race competitive.
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Resign now.
This option is more explosive. If Major resigns before the general election, it could trigger a by-election. That forces Prime Minister Philip Davis into a strategic dilemma: call a by-election and risk a public intra-party fight, or dissolve Parliament earlier than expected and call a general election quickly.
The unity problem
The PLP has repeatedly framed itself as the party of unity, especially in contrast to the Free National Movement’s internal conflicts, but Southern Shores shows a different story.
Back in June 2025, Major told the Tribune that backbenchers were being sidelined in the Davis administration, claiming Cabinet ministers were leveraging public resources for political advantage while ordinary MPs were marginalized. He said other backbenchers shared similar concerns.
He later backtracked.
If Major runs independently, the narrative becomes, PLP infighting.
If he resigns, the public sees the PLP as unstable.
If he stays and quietly supports the party, he preserves unity, but at the cost of political leverage.
What’s really at stake
It is about whether Davis and Party Chairman Fred Mitchell can maintain the image of unity the party has leaned on heading into the next election.
