chestercooper

There are moments in politics when two completely separate stories collide and reveal something much bigger.

On one side, members of Parliament are considering legislation that would increase their salaries and allowances.

On the other, the government is publicly appealing for trained teachers and retired teachers to return to the classroom because the Bahamas is short roughly 300 teachers.

Together, these stories raise a more uncomfortable question: What do politicians’ priorities say about them?

No reasonable person would argue that members of Parliament should never receive a salary review, because their work is demanding, requires long hours, public scrutiny and constant availability.

Is this the right moment?

When a government asks teachers to answer the call to serve because classrooms are understaffed, and “we need you and the children need you,”— while lawmakers discuss increasing their own compensation, the public naturally compares the two conversations.

Teachers are being asked to sacrifice, while the politicians want to receive more.

Teachers have spent years raising concerns about salaries, delayed payments, classroom resources and growing workloads.

Many have left the profession, others have migrated and some retired earlier than planned.

The result is now visible— a national teacher shortage.

The government’s response has been to recruit teachers from overseas, from lower-income countries and encourage retired educators to return.

That may help fill classrooms in the short term, but it does not answer the larger question: Why are so many teachers leaving in the first place?

If a profession is struggling to attract and retain workers, compensation is almost always part of the conversation.

The same can be said for nursing. Healthcare workers have long complained about pay, working conditions and staffing shortages.

Police officers, too, have spoken about the pressures of public service.

Across the public sector, many workers believe they have spent years waiting for promises to become reality.

Prime Minister Philip Davis, a supporter of the proposed increases, argues that Bahamian parliamentarians are paid less than legislators in several neighboring countries.

But so do teachers, nurses and police officers when compared to the United States and Canada.

In the context of Davis’ argument, we ask: How is the economy performing? What promises remain outstanding? Who is still waiting?

Governments often say budgets reflect their priorities. Citizens apply the same standard to political decisions.

As the Bahamas moves closer to the May 12 general election, voters’ attention is firmly fixed on party leaders—Philip Davis, Michael Pintard and Lincoln Bain. But there is another layer of leadership that receives far less scrutiny, the deputy leader.

Philip Davis is paired with Chester Cooper for the Progressive Liberal Party, Michael Pintard with Shanendon Cartwright for the Free National Movement, and Lincoln Bain with Veronica McIver for the Coalition of Independents.

Elections in the Bahamas have traditionally centred on the leaders.

Voters often make decisions based on the party, the performance of the prime minister or leader of the party, or the strength of their candidate running in their constituency.

In that equation, deputy leaders can feel distant. But that does not mean the role is insignificant. Deputies often play important functions behind the scenes, like managing party operations, shaping policy direction, and reinforcing the leader’s message.

In government, they may carry major ministerial portfolios or serve as second-in-command in decision-making.

The average voter is more likely to judge what they can see and feel like the cost of living, infrastructure, constituency performance, than the dynamics of a leadership team. Unless a deputy leader is particularly prominent, controversial, or directly connected to a voter’s daily life, their influence may seem limited.

However, a strong deputy can help balance the party by energizing the base, and appealing to a specific demographic of voters.

Deputy leaders rarely decide elections on their own. Instead, they operate in the background and contribute to the party structure.

Three candidates are heading into a closely watched race in the Exumas and Ragged Island.

Chester Cooper, representing the Progressive Liberal Party, is seeking to hold the seat for a third time. His track record in the constituency is strong. In 2021, he secured a commanding 73 percent of the vote, a decisive margin that reinforced his position as the dominant figure in the area. Even in 2017, when the race was tighter, he still emerged victorious with 52 percent.

The Free National Movement is putting forward Debra Moxey-Rolle, a candidate with local roots and familiarity with the constituency. That connection could matter. In smaller communities like Exumas and Ragged Island, visibility and personal relationships often carry significant weight.

The question is whether that familiarity can translate into enough support to beat Cooper.

Byron Smith of the Coalition of Independents represents a different kind of challenge. As frustration with the two-party system grows among some voters, third-party candidates often benefit from protest support.

However, without a clearly visible ground campaign, it remains uncertain how much of that frustration can be converted into actual votes at the polls.

For Cooper, this election is about maintaining dominance and proving that his 2021 performance was not an outlier.

Moxey-Rolle must chip away at Cooper’s stronghold. And Smith will test whether the dissatisfaction can evolve into a disruption at the polls.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper thought he was having a private exchange with Prime Minister Philip Davis at a press conference in Grand Bahama on Tuesday. Instead, a live microphone picked up a candid whisper, offering an unfiltered glimpse into how the government views criticism surrounding Grand Bahama’s economic recovery.

After Davis wrapped up his responses to reporters, Cooper leaned in and quietly said, “Celebration Cay has 1,200 employees. Grand Bahama Shipyard has another 1,200. Things are booming. That’s money in the economy. They want to pick at the negative. But well done.”

The moment came just seconds after reporters pressed Davis on whether residents are actually feeling the progress the government says is happening in the nation’s second city.

Watch here the Cabinet Press Conference in Grand Bahama

Eyewitness News reporter Jose Etienne asked Davis to point to tangible outcomes of the administration’s work, noting that some Grand Bahamians told him they had yet to see real change.

In response, Davis pointed to increased traffic from residents of other islands. “So that ought to speak to what’s happening,” he said. “We have created the conditions for economic growth. That’s why people are coming.”

He also highlighted a rise in tourism arrivals, saying current numbers have not been seen before.

It was after those remarks that Cooper’s whispered encouragement and frustration were captured by the hot mic.

The exchange took place during a Cabinet visit to Grand Bahama, where the government held meetings and made announcements related to the Grand Lucayan Resort and the Grand Bahama International Airport, two long-stalled projects now being emphasized ahead of the looming general election.

Why this matters

Cooper’s whispered frustration reveals pressure inside the government to defend its Grand Bahama record. That tells voters that Grand Bahama is still a battleground for the government, and the administration knows it. Cooper’s comments suggest the government believes economic gains in Grand Bahama are real, perhaps unfairly overshadowed by public criticism.

As the country moves closer to an election, Grand Bahama is again a political test. The issue remains whether progress is real.

As the 2026 General Election draws near, the creation of two new constituencies, Bimini & Berry Islands and St. James has sparked questions about fairness in voting. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says the changes are meant to balance voter numbers. But some critics are asking: Is this gerrymandering?

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is when political boundaries are drawn in a way that gives an advantage to one party over another. It usually involves “packing” voters of one type into a single area or “cracking” them across several areas to dilute their influence. The goal is to shape election results, sometimes at the expense of fair representation.

What’s happening?

The government says St. James was created by combining parts of Golden Isles and Killarney because those areas had far more voters than average, around 15,000–16,000, compared to the roughly 5,000 voters in most constituencies. On the surface, this looks like an effort to make voting more equal.

But critics say timing matters. The new boundaries come just before an election, which naturally raises questions about whether the changes could favor certain parties or candidates. While there is no clear evidence of political manipulation yet, the situation highlights why transparency in boundary decisions is important.

Why it matters to voters

For everyday citizens, gerrymandering can affect whose voices are heard in Parliament and how much influence your vote carries. Understanding these changes helps voters hold leaders accountable.

Balanced representation is key to a healthy democracy and voters have a right to know how the lines are drawn.

Just hours before Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper announced that the government would review newly introduced cruising permit fees, backlash from boaters and marina operators was already playing out publicly across social media platforms.

Marinas and boat owners, many of whom frequent Bahamian waters annually, expressed frustration over the revised fee structure, with some warning they would take their vessels and tourism dollars elsewhere.

Several boaters said the increased fees were placing an added financial burden on visitors and negatively affecting marina traffic.

“Nothing that special about that place. They better chill out. It’ll be a deserted island before they know it,” wrote Jonathan Ferris.

Others echoed similar sentiments, linking the policy to broader economic consequences.

“It’s only hurting the locals. It sure isn’t hurting me. I’m not going there anymore,” said Juan Laywar.

Comparisons were also made to competing destinations in the region. Bryan Crabtree noted that neighbouring countries offer significantly lower cruising costs.

“Turks and Caicos charges $50 for a week or $300 for a 90-day permit,” Crabtree said. “For the amount of money it costs to go to the Bahamas, you can visit five to ten Caribbean islands. I have no plans to visit until these fees are reduced, or for at least a couple of years.”

Another boater, Michael Daley, summed up the sentiment bluntly: “They don’t want us there.”

However, not all responses opposed the government’s move. Some commenters defended the Bahamas’ right to set its own policies.

“Their country, their rules. If we don’t like them, it’s time not to be there,” said Ellie Smith.

Jason Vaffanculo added that foreign visitors should temper their expectations, stressing that the Bahamas is not obligated to cater to outside pressure.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Cooper acknowledged the fallout, attributing empty marinas and a reported 40 percent decline in boating traffic this year compared to 2024 to the recent fee increases.

In a statement issued Monday evening, Cooper said the government has heard the concerns raised by stakeholders within the boating sector.

“Our priority is to protect that reputation and ensure the economic prosperity of the Bahamians who depend on it,” Cooper said.

Why it matters

Marina operators, tour guides, service providers and small business owners, many in Abaco, Bimini and the Exumas have voiced concerns about the impact of the new regulatory framework.

Government officials say the review will examine the economic impact of the fees while balancing the need to protect national interests and sustain revenue from the maritime tourism sector.

The big story

In July, the government implemented a revised cruising permit fee structure, charging $500 for vessels under 50 feet, $1,000 for vessels between 50 and 100 feet, and $3,000 for vessels over 100 feet. Each permit is valid for up to 12 months.

A separate fee applies for the newly introduced Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC), which costs $2,000 for pleasure craft and is valid for two years.

When a reporter attempted to nudge Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard to give a response on whether or not Rick Fox was running on the FNM ticket since Fox announced his plans to run in the next general election, Pintard didn’t deny any assertions, but he leaned in.

“I think he has a tremendous amount that he can contribute to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” he said of Fox outside of Parliament on Wednesday.

“It’s regrettable that the deputy prime minister and the PLP would have taken potshots at him, referencing, again, his time competing for Canada. We have many Bahamians across the globe who are doing incredible things, and some have done some things under different banners, but they’ve remained loyal to The Bahamas, and we should reward that.”

“We are prepared to talk to Bahamians locally and abroad who wish to contribute to the empowerment of Bahamians.”

It seems Pintard is quietly signaling that the Free National Movement is courting Fox to become one of its candidates in the next general election.

Pintard praised Fox for his “tremendous amount” of contributions to the Bahamas.

If the FNM did not consider Fox, Pintard would have disassociated himself with Fox. But Pintard is signaling his party’s openness to a Fox partnership. Voters can now imagine Fox under the FNM banner

Pintard defended Fox strongly and sharply criticized the Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and the PLP for taking “potshots” at Fox over competing for Canada.

Cooper said last week, he thought Fox, an ambassador-at-large and appointed by the PLP, was Canadian.

By defending Fox publicly, Pintard demonstrates that he values Fox and protects it. That is not something he would do if Fox were to head to the PLP or run as an independent. Neither would Cooper have said that.

Pintard then broadened the conversation to a bigger message: “We welcome Bahamians abroad.”

The line worth highlighting is: “We are prepared to talk to Bahamians locally and abroad who wish to contribute.”

It widens the scope from Rick Fox to the idea of recruiting voters from the diaspora, which suggests that Fox could be part of a strategy to bring high-profile Bahamians under the FNM banner.

Based on Fox’s criticism of the Progressive Liberal Party and Cooper’s off-putting statement about Fox, and Pintard’s defense of him, it could be concluded that Fox is very likely joining the FNM.

Scores of workers of the Bahamas Public Service Union gathered near Parliament Square advocating for pay increases, chanting “We want our money and we want it now.”

What happened

The group along with President Kimsley Ferguson is calling for salary increases and has accused the government of ‘union busting.’ He said the government is stalling negotiations and the union is still waiting for its industrial agreement to be signed.

While Down Town, he and other leaders of various unions in the country held a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper but Ferguson said he was not satisfied and was “very disappointed”  in the government’s response.

“There is a serious case for concern when there is no integrity in the leadership of the country… There is no one to speak for the public servants,” he said.

Ferguson said he and the group will up the ante if the demands for increased pay are not met.

“We will continue to agitate until we get the results we want.”

Why it matters

The government has proposed annual increases for permanent secretaries, directors and department heads. The union says it shows that the government has sufficient funding to give public servants adequate increases.

Nearly 30,000 gallons of oil spilled in oceans surrounding Exuma, authorities said.

The environmental disaster is believed to have occurred overnight Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper reported on Wednesday.

What happened?

The Arabian vessel contracted for Sun Oil was offloading fuel to Bahamas Power and Light in George Town, Exuma when the spilling occurred, Cooper told the Nassau Guardian.

How authorities are responding

Cooper said the oil is now contained in the bay area of the Exuma Sailing Club.

He said the relevant ministries have been aware and have deployed officials to deal with the matter.

What’s the impact of the oil spill?

Officials have not yet reported on the damage to the environment and the marine animals, but oil spills kill, poison, and suffocate sea creatures. Research indicates that toxic chemicals remain in the ocean for years and can sink to the floor, also poisoning the sediments.

Its severity on the environment depends on the amount of oil spilled, type and weight of the oil, location of the spill, species of wildlife in the area, timing of breeding cycles, seasonal migrations, and the weather at sea during and after the oil spill.

The big picture

In 2018, 3,800 gallons of diesel oil leaked into the waters at Emerald Bay Marina in Exuma reportedly from two tanks stationed in the marina.

Eye Witness News reported that one of the tanks was owned by Shell Oil and the second tank belonged to Emerald Bay Marina.

It was reportedly cleaned up with minimal impact on the environment.

Photo credits: The Nassau Guardian, Reno Curling Photography and Blaze 98.3 FM Exuma