clintwatson

When Southern Shores Member of Parliament Leroy Major publicly threw his support behind Clint Watson, it came with a warning.

Major, who wanted to run again but was not re-nominated by the Progressive Liberal Party, said plainly that if the PLP did not choose Watson as its standard bearer, the party would “have to face him.” When pressed by reporters on his next move, his response was, “Watch the road.”

Now, the party has made its choice, and it was not Watson. Instead, the PLP ratified Obie Roberts, closing the chapter on this internal conflict. But in doing so, it may have opened a more unpredictable battle.

What happens now?

First, Major is no longer bound by party expectations in the way a sitting MP seeking re-nomination normally would be. Having been passed over and having openly tied his political future to Watson’s selection, he is at a crossroads. Major can fall in line behind Roberts and urge his supporters to do the same in the name of party unity. That would be the cleanest outcome for the PLP.

Or, he can choose the other option which is messier. Major’s language has left the door wide open to the possibility of an independent run. In Bahamian politics, that threat is never taken lightly, especially in a constituency as competitive as Southern Shores. An independent candidacy Major can fracture the vote, depending on his strength in the area.

Major’s warning, “watch the road,” could mean resistance, retaliation, or simply frustration because he feels sidelined. The ambiguity may be intentional.

The PLP now faces a balancing act: selling Roberts to voters and managing the fallout from those who support Watson, who feel excluded by the process. How they handle Major could determine whether Southern Shores becomes unified or divided.

After weeks of tension and speculation, the Progressive Liberal Party made its final call in Southern Shores, choosing Obie Roberts as its candidate and passing over Clint Watson, whose supporters had been vocal and deeply invested in his bid.

The decision does not settle whether the party is unified enough to win the constituency.

Obie Roberts spoke to reporters after his ratification, “You’re gonna have some persons right now who have some emotions after the decision is made. You can’t please everybody. But PLPs are PLPs’ ya know. They remain home. They remain faithful to the party, granted they’re disappointed or not.”

Southern Shores has been one of the most contentious constituencies in this election cycle. Emotions ran so high that supporters of both camps nearly came to blows outside a constituency meeting. Now that the decision has been made, the PLP’s immediate challenge is: Can Watson’s supporters pivot quickly and fully behind Roberts, or will the resentment linger?

That question matters because Southern Shores is shaping up to be a three-way race.

The Free National Movement ratified Donnalee Penn early. She has had the advantage of working the area, building name recognition, and campaigning while the PLP was still internally divided.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Independents has put forward Kirk Farrington, who could siphon votes from either major party.

A fractured PLP vote could be decisive. Independent candidates rarely need to win outright to influence the result, but their biggest impact is taking votes from the other candidates. It is not known how popular Farrington is in the area.

Southern Shores voted FNM in 2017, then swung PLP in 2021, which means the seat is competitive, and voters are willing to change their minds. No party can take it for granted.

For the PLP, choosing Roberts closes one chapter but opens another. The coming weeks will reveal whether party leaders can cool tensions, rally supporters, and present a united front, or whether internal tensions will shape the result on election day.

As the Progressive Liberal Party moves closer to ratifying its final slate of candidates, attention has turned to Southern Shores because of a sudden change at ZNS that many see as politically significant.

Southern Shores aspirant Clint Watson, General Manager of ZNS, has stepped away from his television programme The Rundown. Broadcaster Howard Grant will take over as host beginning February 2. In announcing the change, ZNS described Grant as “well capable and amazing,” signaling that the show will continue as Watson transitions off air.

Neither Watson nor the PLP has confirmed his ratification. Still, the timing of his exit from the show has sparked curiosity, especially with the party set to ratify its final candidates this Sunday, as reported by the Guardian.

What stands out is Watson stepping aside before ratification, which could suggest preparation to run in Southern Shores.

Remaining a prominent broadcaster at a public media house while moving toward active politics has already raised questions about fairness.

Southern Shores has become one of the PLP’s most tense constituencies after reports of conflict between supporters including near physical confrontations outside meetings.

That tension increased when sitting MP Leroy Major warned party leaders that they would have to face him if Watson was not nominated.

Stepping away from a television show may not guarantee ratification. Time will tell.

For the PLP, Southern Shores is one to watch.

Member of Parliament for Southern Shores Leroy Major has said very little, but what he has said is loud. After confirming that he wrote to the Progressive Liberal Party seeking renomination and was declined, Major made it clear that he is not stepping quietly back. Asked whether he would run as an independent, his response was: “Watch the road.”

His statement does not suggest healthy political “competition,” as Mitchell stated of the tension in the party. It suggests unresolved conflict.

The PLP is weighing two aspirants for Southern Shores–ZNS General Manager Clint Watson and PLP Vice Chairman Obie Roberts, while the sitting MP, Major, remains public and seemingly defiant. Major said openly to reporters that he supports Watson, and warned that if the party goes another direction, “they have to face me.”

That is not the language of a settled internal process.

Party Chairman Fred Mitchell has sought to calm concerns, framing the situation in Southern Shore as ordinary competition within the party. However, Major’s recent statement further complicates this message. Supporters of both Watson and Roberts nearly came to blows outside a party meeting, a clear sign of conflict that clashes with Mitchell’s careful wording.

Major repeatedly declined to clarify his political future to reporters, avoided direct answers about his political decision, and emphasized his loyalty only to the people of Southern Shores. He has pointed to ongoing constituency work, including distributing food assistance, as proof that he has not turned his back on residents. It’s possible he could run independently.

With the PLP expected to ratify candidates, Southern Shores could be a measure of party loyalty and unity.

Whether Mitchell calls it competition or not, these signs point to a division.

The early signs around the 2026 General Election suggest this is shaping up to be a crowded, competitive race, with growing demands for accountability from voters.

New seats, new political battles

One of the biggest changes ahead of 2026 is the addition of two new constituencies St James and Bimini and the Berry Islands following recommendations by the Constituencies Commission.

And already, these new seats are drawing attention.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Randy Rolle and Carlton Bowleg, who was ratified by the Free National Movement (FNM) last year for what was then the North Andros and Berry Islands seat, are both reportedly eyeing the new Bimini and Berry Islands constituency.

Parties are moving quickly to secure support, and position candidates in areas expected to be closely fought.

This election is shaping up to be decided seat by seat.

Defiance inside the party

Another early signal is the growing number of candidates willing to challenge their own parties’ decisions.

In Bamboo Town, former MP Renward Wells has confirmed he will run as an independent after being denied an FNM nomination. His decision defies party leadership and adds another layer of uncertainty to Bamboo Town.

In Killarney, Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis, the FNM’s ratified candidate, is preparing to face the party’s former leader and former prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis. Dr Minnis, who was also denied an FNM nomination, has said he will run anyway.

Barnett-Ellis has said she hopes to convince voters to “look to the future,” signaling that the race is about leadership direction and renewal.

PLP tensions in the open

The governing PLP is also facing signs of internal strain.

In Southern Shore, party members have been divided over who should be nominated, Clint Watson or Obie Roberts with reports of heated confrontations and growing dissatisfaction among supporters.

Internal party disagreements are not new in Bahamian politics. However, those tensions are visible, signaling a more volatile campaign where candidates are fighting not just their opponents, but also internally.

Accountability is resurfacing

Beyond party politics, accountability issues are returning to the national conversation.

Concerns over road conditions and hospital care are placing renewed pressure on the government to explain what has changed and what has not.

These issues are likely to feature prominently in 2026, especially as voters connect everyday hardships with leadership decisions.

Media narratives spotlighted by Pintard

Even the role of the media has entered the political debate.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard has publicly questioned whether internal conflicts within the FNM are consistently framed as “chaos” and “infighting,” while similar disputes inside the PLP are often treated as normal political disagreement.

Whether one agrees or not, the critique reflects a broader concern about how narratives shape public perception and who is portrayed as divided or ready to govern.

Why it matters

Elections are shaped months in advance by candidate decisions, party unity, public trust, and the issues that refuse to go away.

The early signals of 2026 suggest the race could be unpredictable, highly contested, and deeply personal.

The ballots may still be months away, but the battle lines are being drawn.

CEO of Verizon Media Group, the parent company of Eyewitness News Gershan Major rushed to defend the media house amidst public trust and credibility concerns after its owner Sebas Bastian was nominated to pursue his political ambitions.

Major said Bastian does not have “any direct operational oversight or involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company,” adding that the organisation’s tenets remain based on “facts, accuracy, and balance.”

Why it matters

Even without direct involvement, his ownership still shapes perception, coverage, and credibility.

Journalistic ethics dictate that journalists are expected to be objective and impartial in reporting the news.

Though Major argues that Bastian is not involved in the media house’s decision-making, as an owner of the media house, the question of Bastian’s influence arises.

The big story

Bastian has been ratified as the Progressive Liberal Party’s pick for Fort Charlotte, after rumours that he was entering frontline politics. In the wake of his entrance into politics, another owner of a competing media Wendall Jones spoke out, warning that a media executive mixing in politics should resign.

Bastian is not the only one blurring the lines between journalism and politics this election cycle. Robert Dupuch, president of The Tribune, and Clint Watson, former journalist turned press secretary and now general manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, are joining Bastian on the PLP ticket.

State of play

Can journalists at Eye Witness News, The Tribune and ZNS stay impartial when their bosses enter the political arena?  And, can Bastian, Dupuch and Watson, if elected, also be trusted as policy makers?

Experts say key ethical safeguards should be followed if a journalist wants to pursue politics: Senior journalists and media executives should step down from their media roles to avoid any appearance of any conflict of interest. And, publicly declare any perceived conflicts of interest related to their political ambition.

Featured pictures: Eye Witness News

For the governing party, former Press Secretary Clint Watson is a tool in its propaganda war.

As he transitions to general manager at the country’s national television broadcaster ZNS, it is hoped he will assert the political might of the PLP and expand its influence on the national airwaves.

When Watson was recruited from Eye Witness News after he vehemently lambasted the Minnis-led administration and pushed the PLP’s messaging in the run-up to the general election in 2021, he parroted the government’s perspective from the Office of the Prime Minister and he will do the same from his position as general manager of ZNS, hoping to attract thousands of Bahamians to a dying station as he promotes PLP’s virtues, deflects criticisms and advances the government’s talking points.

Expect the government’s propaganda tool to intensify in its campaign.

An anonymous source told the Tribune that Watson could assist in pushing the government’s message to the public after developing a close relationship with Prime Minister Philip Davis and his administration.

Minister of State with responsibility for ZNS Myles Laroda seemingly used a defense mechanism to deflect the appointment, saying, “I could confirm that, that decision was made by the Board of Directors,” he told the media on Tuesday after months of speculations.

“You know, the public will make up its mind when they see the product of ZNS. Clint Watson has worked at various agencies and I don’t think we’re gonna disqualify individuals because they work at OPM,” he said after reporters questioned Watson’s ability to be neutral.

The Progressive Liberal Party has taken a page out of an old propaganda playbook that uses recognizable faces with well-paid jobs to become propaganda spinners. This comes after the governing party depleted media houses of journalists and positioned them in government offices after it took control.

As the party seeks to hold onto power and aims to be re-elected in the 2026 General Election, it is increasingly concerned about its public image since public opinions are growing more hostile due to increased crime, booming migrations, and the high cost of living.

The PLP now realizes it needs to improve its media strategy, using ZNS, a crucial battleground, as its mouthpiece.

Watson’s success will be determined and graded by his ability to disseminate narratives that amplify the governing party’s propaganda and weaken the party’s competitor, the Free National Movement.

An exuberant Press Secretary Clint Watson was at it again on Friday, allegedly releasing, “jaw-dropping” details on reported irregularities that took place in the Public Parks and Beaches Authority.

In his teaser, Watson said, the audit report was “so jaw-dropping, that we decided to immediately release the full report so that the Bahamian people can see for themselves how their money has been spent,” under the former administration.

This is one day after the government again denied the application for the operation of the Christmas Carnival on Fort Charlotte. It denied having anything to do with allowing the rides in the country at a time when the country is fighting the pandemic, and permitting it to set up on the public park. Until Senator Maxine Seymour tabled a letter showing the granting of permission from the  Ministry of Finance to the PLP, to allow the carnival company to import equipment into the country.

Questions still remain as to the transactions. Details are still missing. The government has not yet admitted that its party gave the permission. We still don’t know what protocols the Carnival company did not meet, yet they were approved to enter the country.

Where is the transparency on the carnival issue which later became a debacle because the public was not given a direct answer on its dealings?

Instead of releasing the “jaw-dropping” details on that, the government decides to release “jaw-dropping” reports of “problems and irregularities” under the former administration.

It is a clear attempt to conceal their dealings, not address the pertinent issue at hand and change the conversation, hoping the public forgets.

The government has prohibited the operation of Christmas Carnival citing the great health risk it poses on the country amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a late-afternoon press conference, Press Secretary Clint Watson read a statement from Prime Minister Philip Davis who said McCafferty’s Enterprises Bahamas Limited will not be permitted to operate.

“The Carnival organizers submitted a fresh application supported by additional 35 pages of information which sought to address the concerns raised by the experts. The panel considered their submission closely but decided that the transmission risk associated with the Carnival remained too high and the protocols presented would not sufficiently mitigate against the spread of COVID,” Davis said in a statement.

Davis said he gave his final word on the advice of the Ministry of Health, adding that the opening of the rides will pose a great health risk to the public as the more transmissible Omicron variant continue to cause alarm in countries around the world.

Davis also said the opening will hamper the opening of schools in January.

The big story

The operation of the Christmas Carnival has become controversial in recent days as some argue it can become a super spreader event. Minister of Health Michael Darville denied the company was allowed to open even though the rides were permitted to set up on Clifford Park.

However, Senator Maxine Seymour tabled a letter in the Senate showing the Ministry of Finance had given the Progressive Liberal Party permission to import “equipment, apparatus, trailers and supplies” for the event.

This is the first time, Davis is lending his voice to the matter as many awaited his response to the debacle.

What’s next?

Lawyers for the company said yesterday it would still operate whether or not health officials approved their application.

Now that the approval application has again been denied by the government, reports are the company will leave the country.

It remains to be seen if the company will file a lawsuit against the government. When asked by a reporter if the government expects a lawsuit, Watson who did not take any questions from reporters only said he will address the matter on Friday.

Newly appointed Press Secretary Clint Watson held his first press conference on Wednesday, touting his government’s achievements with more than a month in office.

Mimicking the press conferences held at the White House in the USA, Watson stood behind a podium and in front of a logo that resembles the White House. He provided information to the press and held a question-and-answer session at the end, hoping to bring an American style of press conferences to the prime ministership of Philip Davis.

Watson said the Davis administration has already begun to remediate the public health and economic crises brought on by COVID-19 and is “solving the lack of transparency, poor fiscal management and blatant disrespect towards the Bahamian people.”

Watson said the new administration has “wasted no time on delivering on its promises of a new day,” while praising his government’s pilot program of free testing on the Family Islands, its collaboration with health officials in its COVID-19 response, adjustments to curfews and the removal of restrictions for business operations.

He added, “The Davis administration is just getting started. Don’t think by a long shot that we are done or that we are out of air. We are just getting started.”

Following heavy criticisms from the media due to his office’s new and restrictive guidelines for the press, Watson said his government will be accountable and accessible to the media, increasing two-way communications and public engagement.