cabinetminister

The sudden death of Cabinet Minister Vaughn Miller sent shock waves around the Bahamas and through the political landscape, after his discovery early Sunday morning–the second death in the Progressive Liberal Party’s administration since acquiring office in 2021.

Miller, 64, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, was reportedly found unconscious in his vehicle and transported to the hospital, and later pronounced dead.

Around this time two years ago, September 25, 2023, Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, was found unconscious too, shortly before 7.30 am. Efforts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Wilchcombe was the Member of Parliament for West End Grand Bahama and his death triggered a by-election in his constituency.

Miller’s death will trigger a by-election for the Golden Isles constituency where he served for two terms. But, a by-election could be a referendum on the government’s performance which will be ultimately judged in the upcoming general election.

A date for the upcoming general election has not been called, and the government had previously ruled out an early election.

Once a seat becomes vacant, a by-election must be called within 60 days according to The Parliamentary Elections Act.

The speaker of the House of Assembly must inform the governor general and request a writ of election. After receiving the speaker’s message, the Governor General shall, “as soon as is practicable,” issue a writ of election for the vacant seat. And a by-election must be called no less than 21 days and no more than 30 days after the writ has been issued.

As it stands, Golden Isles remains without a representative, and the country awaits the new assignment of the Environmental and Natural Resources portfolio, temporarily or permanently.

Progressive Liberal Party’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller died early Sunday morning after he was found unconscious in a vehicle.

The 64-year-old Member of Parliament for Golden Isles was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Here is a timeline of the events leading up to his death:

2017—Vaughn  Miller joined the Free National Movement becoming the MP for Golden Isles Constituency

The popular radio personality entered politics to become a candidate for the Free National Movement. He won the Golden Isles constituency and gained 56 percent of the votes (3,374), beating PLP Michael Halkitis, who got 34 percent (2,058) of the votes.

Miller served in the House of Assembly in Prime Minister Hubert Minnis’ administration, becoming a parliamentary secretary.

June 12 2018—Vaughn Miller voted against the FNM’s increase of Value Added Tax

Miller was one of four Free National Movement members of Parliament to publicly oppose the government’s value added tax increase, joining Centreville MP Reece Chipman, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson in opposing the move.

When Hubert Minnis’ administration sought to raise the VAT from 7% to 12%, Miller emphasized the burden it placed on Bahamian families, whom he believed could not afford the tax hike.

Miller said his constituents suggested it be implemented incrementally.

June 19, 2018—Vaughn Miller was fired by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis

Miller, appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, was fired for going against the Budget bill passed in the House of Assembly, in what the government said was a breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure.  Minnis had appealed for MPs to support the budget in its entirety.

Opponents of the budget were apparently warned that voting against any part of the budget package would result in a resignation of their positions in government, in keeping with the Westminster system of governance.

Miller said he was given a letter from Minnis and escorted by a police officer to return his government-assigned vehicle.

December 11, 2019– Miller lambasted Hubert Minnis and became an Independent

Miller announced his decision in the HOA to leave the FNM and became an independent.

“Two cannot walk together except they be agreed,” he said.

“Obviously, Mr. Speaker, our differences are irreconcilable. The FNM will not repent and I shall not recant, and therefore, Mr. Speaker, because of my respect for organizations and institutions that I am a part of, two cannot walk except they agree.”

December 2020–Miller became a member of the Progressive Liberal Party

He announced in the House of Assembly his decision to join the Opposition at the time, The Progressive Liberal Party.

“It has always been, Mr Speaker, my desire, my dream… to serve our great country and to make life better for other people, particularly the poor, the indigent, the marginalised, the disenfranchised, the downtrodden,” Miller said, referencing his firing as Parliamentary Secretary, also revealing that he survived thyroid cancer, saying the illness took a financial toll on him.

September 2021–Miller was elected the Golden Isles MP for the Progressive Liberal Party

As a PLP, Miller won the Golden Isles seat, gaining 50% of the votes (2471). He was soon appointed the first Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philip Davis administration.

September 2025–Speculations arose that Miller would not run again in the upcoming general election

Miller’s political future came under scrutiny, and rumours swirled that he may not contest the Golden Isles seat or may not be renominated by the PLP in the 2025 general election.

Reports were that he was seen campaigning alongside former Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller.

However, the Tribune reported that some PLP supporters in his constituency claimed he was not a good representative, citing his neglect of the community during his two terms.

Former Cabinet Minister Lanisha Rolle broke her silence on Tuesday for the first time since the FNM’s decision to not renominate her for the upcoming general election.

During the budget debate, Rolle used the opportunity to set the record straight in regard to the party’s decision to nominate a new candidate for the Sea Breeze constituency, at times scolding the government in its handling of the issue.

In her critique of the government’s handling of her, Rolle said, ” It’s not what you do. It’s how you do it.”

The party recently nominated Maxine Rolle instead for the constituency, which Rolle won in 2017 when she ran on the FNM’s ticket. Rolle has since become a controversial figure within the party with numerous complaints coming from the two ministerial posts she once held–Minister of Social Services and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Rolle said she is disappointed that the party did not renominate her for the 2022 General Election, saying that her interest was to serve the constituents of Sea Breeze.

“Approximately three weeks ago, the Free National Movement chose to ratify another candidate in my stead to contest the upcoming general election. Given the truth of my labour, investment and sacrifice, given the overwhelming support of the Sea Breeze executives up to the time of that decision, and the ongoing support of the Sea Breeze constituents over the last 5 years, this decision and the events leading up to it, is most disappointing,” she said.

She added that her intention was to continue to serve the constituency, however, “the party has its perogative and can exercise its power intrusted in it, and can do as it sees fit.”

“It is well,” Rolle expounded. “My only wish is that your words be guided with the truth.”

Rolle said she received “overwhelming support from the executives of the Sea Breeze constituency” adding that the executives “were all disappointed to see the position the party took, notwithstanding their expressed support” for her.

“I hold no malice or ill-will. I wish the FNM all the best,” she said. But the situation, like many, most unfortunate, in my mind, was distasteful,” she said.

Rolle said when she realized that she was not ratified early like other parliamentarians, she then wrote the party notifying it that she would not seek renomination for 2022.