Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday it is important for former pubic figures to recognize when it's time to move on.
Mitchell did not name anyone in particular, but his comment came in the context of the jockeying that is taking place behind the scenes for the PLP's nomination for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election, necessitated by the death of the constituency's member of Parliament Obie Wilchcombe on September 25.
Former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson, who represented Golden Gates, a New Providence constituency, has said he would accept a nomination if one is offered.
But Mitchell has said only those previously considered for a nomination for West Grand Bahama and Bimini will be considered for a nomination.
"When each candidate for the party was taken through the module for candidates - and we've also explained this to our branch leadership - the nature of the party, the nature of public leadership, it requires you to have a certain mental stability, the ability to hold your tongue and to keep your own counsel," he said in a voice note.
"Sometimes it's better to be quiet. That is still a lesson for today. There are plenty of examples in public life at home and abroad of public figures who find themselves in unfortunate situations.
"Sidney Poitier once told me that as a public figure, you have to be able to make a sound judgment about what your image is and adjust your sails to that image. And as a public figure or former public figure, you have to have a sense of when it is time to sail into the sunset and be done."
Mitchell said there are "plenty of examples of life after public office".
"One example is that of John Profumo, who was forced to resign in 1961 from the British government because he was caught in an illicit relationship.
"He was disgraced publicly and had to resign but went on to assist in charity work and ultimately was rehabilitated by Queen Elizabeth II with a national honor.
"Politics is often a matter of luck, a fortuitous business. We, who are on the national stage, should be thinking of the examples of those we honored over these past few days, their selflessness, and saying like Horace Mann, the American educator, this thing to ourselves: 'How can I do something before I die to help humanity?'
"That doesn't necessarily mean being in the House of Assembly or the Senate. There are plenty of honest public examples of work to do."
After Gibson lost the Golden Gates seat in 2017, he found himself in an unfortunate situation.
But Gibson, a former minister of labor and national insurance, was acquitted in 2019 of 15 counts of bribery which were brought against him when the Minnis administration was in power.
In early 2022, he reached a $2.5 million settlement with the Davis administration for malicious prosecution.
He later confirmed he planned to return to politics and had his sights on the MICAL seat for the 2026 general election.
The MICAL constituency is currently represented by PLP member Basil McIntosh.
At the time, Gibson said he would only pursue the nomination for MICAL if McIntosh does not seek reelection.
A state funeral for Wilchcombe is set to take place today in Nassau.
Mitchell reiterated yesterday that the PLP is not taking any action with respect to the by-election in the West Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency until after the funeral.
"Nothing has changed since the first statement was issued on the matter by the Progressive Liberal Party," he said.
"No process has been sanctioned or begun by the PLP since the passing of our colleague, and nothing will happen until Thursday at sunset after the official funeral is done. There's nothing more to say on this matter."
Since Wilchcombe's death, some PLP branch executives have written letters in support of Gibson for the party's nomination in the upcoming by-election.
Mitchell previously referred to this action as "rogue conduct," saying that the PLP's candidate will be chosen from the pool of aspirants who were considered ahead of the 2021 general election.
Though Gibson said that he would accept the nomination if it were to be offered to him, Mitchell has maintained that no former House of Assembly members are a part of that pool.
Article 67 of the constitution mandates that a by-election must be held within 60 days after a House of Assembly seat becomes vacant for any reason other than a dissolution of Parliament.
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