Former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Cabinet minister George Smith yesterday hit out at his party for moving forward with the nomination process of incumbent Exuma MP Anthony Moss, whom he suggested has been a "mediocre" representative.
The PLP's candidates committee has recommended that Moss be renominated.  Moss now has to face the PLP's council, which is set to meet tonight.
Smith, who has been outspoken about Moss' performance as an MP, yesterday said the PLP should weed out its "second-rate" performers.
He also suggested that the candidates committee had not done its due diligence when it put Moss' name forward to the PLP's National General Council.
"The Bahamas deserves the best talent.  There should be no room for mediocrity or second-rate performance.  The welfare of the Bahamian people must be put first and that has to be the focus of the party's efforts," Smith said in a statement.
He later added, "Leaders of parties not only have to give in to who they like, they have to see that the person can make a contribution to national life and [Moss] lacks that," said Smith, who has publicly endorsed PLP Danny Strachan for the Exuma nomination.
Smith, a former representative of Exuma, has hinted that he may return to front-line politics and enter the race for that constituency if Moss is selected as the PLP's candidate.
Although he stopped short of committing to a possible election bid, Smith said he has a hard decision to make.
"I have profound love for Exuma.  As an Exumian, I will come to a conclusion [soon].  It will weigh heavily for Exuma to have to contend with any of the two of them for the next five years," said Smith, referring to Moss and Junior Minister of Environment Phenton Neymour, who has expressed interest in running in the constituency in 2012.
Neymour is currently the member of Parliament for South Beach.
Yesterday, Moss said he has done the best he could for his constituents in spite of the constraints of being a member of the opposition party.
"Over the past four and a half years being in opposition it has not been an easy road.  I've done [my job] to the best of my ability," Moss said.
He suggested that tonight's meeting would be a formality and added that he was confident that he would be ratified as the PLP's candidate for the reconfigured constituency of Exuma and Ragged Island.
"I understand that my nomination has gone to the council, the council will be meeting tomorrow night (tonight) and I am confident that I will be the [PLP's] candidate for the Exuma and Ragged Island constituency," he said.
"I am certain that Exuma is supporting me.  As far as comments made by other persons, I'm sure you have opposition in every camp."
Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, who served as foreign affairs minister in the Christie administration, said it is not uncommon for the party's council to reject a recommendation from the candidates committee if a compelling argument is made against a prospective candidate.
"They can [deny a nomination]. Someone could move for it to be reconsidered, for it to be sent back; that's possible. You know George Smith is on a relentless campaign against him (Moss)," Mitchell said.
"Usually it's a formality but the council has taken nominations from people."

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