chestercooper

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

Philip Edward Davis became the 5th Bahamian prime minister on Saturday following a general election where the Progressive Liberal Party won the majority of seats in the House of Assembly.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Bahamar Resort, under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic where the 70-year-old was granted his instruments of appointment, in front of a crowd.

He enters government exactly two days after the country’s early election.

Davis was sworn in by Governor General C.A Smith during which he promised to be transparent with all government agendas.

“We’re going to listen. We’re going to consult. We’re going to bring people together. This is the best way to make progress as a nation. No leader and no government should be isolated from the people.

“I also commit to lifting the veil of secrecy from that which has gone before us so that all of the arrangements under which we have to live are transparent and those who offered them are accountable.”

Davis continued, “We will govern in the interest of all Bahamians, not just the privileged few. We will act in ways that will build trust between the government and the Bahamian people.

“We will uphold the constitution and the rule of law and ensure everyone is treated fairly so that there is not one rule for one set of people, and another rule for another set of people.

“There is much work to be done,  but I know that if we work together, we can succeed and build a kind of prosperous, independent Bahamas that our founding fathers dreamt for us,” he said.

Davis took the oath of office on Friday and immediately made changes to the Emergency order, extending curfew to the hours of 11:59 pm to 5 am.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper will be sworn in at 2 pm.

Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson is hitting back at PLP Chairman Chester Cooper, asserting that Cooper’s claim to reduce Value Added Tax, if elected, is “rank populist politicking.”

Thompson said to reduce VAT when the Bahamas is has been hit with an economic falloff will cause the Bahamas to lose more than $100 million.

Why it matters

Cooper unveiled his party’s economic plan on Sunday stating that the PLP will reduce VAT to 10 percent for one year then review the rate after the year is expired.

The big picture

7.5 percent VAT was implemented by the PLP in 2015, after reconsidering its original proposal of 15 percent. The PLP’s reasoning has been that the introduction of a VAT system will increase government revenue at a time when it was declining.

Then State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis said it was a “needed reform” to “protect the economy.”

When the Free National Movement came to power, it increased VAT to 12 percent but removed the tax from breadbasket items.

Thompson says the proposed reduction will destabilize the economy

“The Opposition’s plan would lead to a dramatic fall-off in revenue likely in excess of $100 million during their proposed 12 month period, at a time when the country’s fiscal resources are under tremendous strain and the needs for government to support social and economic programmes are even more pronounced.

“The Government cannot operate by trial and error. The 12 month period will only destabilize the economy causing the PLP to have no choice but to return VAT to 12% the following year or increasing to 15%. The country needs stability and consistency.”

“A 2% cut in VAT does not guarantee that additional spending needed and will not be sufficient to achieve the amount of economic activity to replace the loss in revenue. It would be impossible for the Government to maintain its spending levels with that level of loss in revenue. It is completely irresponsible.”