The Bahamas, May 22, 2026 – Just days after securing a commanding re-election victory, Prime Minister Philip Davis has unveiled what appears to be one of the largest Cabinets in modern Bahamian political history — fueling debate over government spending, parliamentary independence and the concentration of executive power.

The new administration now includes 29 members of Cabinet, counting the Prime Minister himself, following the swearing in of 21 Cabinet Ministers and eight Ministers of State.

The appointments come after the Progressive Liberal Party secured 33 seats in the country’s expanded 41-seat Parliament.

Critics are already pointing to the math.

Had all Cabinet appointees been selected strictly from elected Members of Parliament, only four PLP MPs would have remained outside government. Instead, several Senate appointments were used to fill ministerial posts, slightly widening the governing bench but still leaving a comparatively slim independent backbench on the government side of the House.

That reality matters constitutionally and politically because Cabinet Ministers are members of the Executive branch and are bound by collective responsibility and confidentiality rules once sworn into office.

In Westminster parliamentary systems like The Bahamas, backbench MPs traditionally provide an additional layer of scrutiny, debate and independent thought — even within the governing party.

Some observers now question whether a Cabinet of this size reduces the room for dissent or independent legislative oversight inside government ranks.

Others are raising concerns about costs at a time when Bahamians continue facing affordability pressures, rising utility bills and broader economic uncertainty.

The expansion also follows recent changes to constituency boundaries which increased the House of Assembly from 39 to 41 seats — meaning additional MPs, additional parliamentary costs and now a larger executive structure.

Historically, Bahamian Cabinets have fluctuated in size depending on administrations and political strategy, but governments traditionally operated with significantly smaller executive teams than the one now assembled.

The Davis administration, however, argues the country’s development agenda requires expanded leadership portfolios and specialized oversight.

Among the changes are re-engineered ministries and at least one newly created portfolio.

The full Cabinet includes:

Senior Leadership

• Hon. Philip Edward “Brave” Davis — Prime Minister
• Hon. Isaac Chester Cooper — Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Education

Cabinet Ministers

• Hon. Michael Halkatis — Finance
• Hon. Wayne Munroe — Attorney General & Legal Affairs
• Hon. Frederick Mitchell — Foreign Affairs
• Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin — Tourism
• Hon. Michael Darville — Health
• Hon. Clay Sweeting — Works & Family Island Affairs
• Hon. Keith Bell — Housing & Land Reform
• Hon. Jo-Beth Coleby-Davis — Energy, Utility & Aviation
• Hon. Ginger Moxey — Grand Bahama
• Hon. Mario Bowleg — Youth & Sports
• Hon. Jomo Campbell — Agriculture & Marine Resources
• Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle — Labour, Public Service & National Insurance
• Hon. Zane Lightbourne — Environment & Natural Resources
• Hon. Myles Laroda — National Security
• Hon. Leon Lundy — Transport
• Hon. Lisa Tammy Rahming — Urban Renewal & Community Relations
• Hon. Leslia Miller-Brice — Culture, Arts & Heritage
• Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald — Economic Affairs
• Hon. Barbara Cartwright — Social Services
• Hon. Sebastian Bastian — Innovation & National Development

Ministers of State

• Hon. Omar Rolle — Social Services
• Hon. Wayde Watson — Innovation & National Development
• Hon. Leonardo Lightbourne — Agriculture & Marine Resources
• Hon. Kirk Cornish — Office of the Prime Minister
• Hon. McKell Bonaby — Office of the Prime Minister
• Hon. Darren Pickstock — Immigration / Foreign Affairs
• Hon. Owen Wells — Health & Wellness

The appointments are expected to shape the PLP’s second consecutive term, making the Davis administration the first Bahamian government in nearly 30 years to secure back-to-back election victories.

But the size of the executive team is likely to remain part of the national conversation — particularly as Bahamians await details on government spending priorities, ministerial budgets and the overall cost of governance under the new administration.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Antigua & Barbuda, May 4, 2026 – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has secured a historic fourth consecutive term in office, leading the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party to a commanding victory in the country’s snap general election held April 30, 2026.

Preliminary results show Browne’s party capturing 15 of the 17 seats in Parliament, tightening its grip on power and dramatically weakening the opposition.

The main opposition United Progressive Party was reduced to just one seat, held by its leader, while the Barbuda People’s Movement retained its single constituency in Barbuda.

The result marks a major political turnaround for Browne, whose party had won a much narrower 9–7 majority in the 2023 election before rebuilding support through defections and by-elections.

Voter turnout figures vary in early reports, with initial estimates indicating participation of around 35.8 percent, or roughly 22,700 voters out of more than 63,000 registered. However, broader election data suggests overall turnout may have exceeded 60 percent, reflecting steady engagement despite political tensions.

The election, called nearly two years ahead of schedule, was shaped by concerns over the cost of living, global economic pressures and fallout from U.S. visa restrictions linked to the country’s citizenship-by-investment programme.

Despite those issues, Browne campaigned on economic stability and continued development, pointing to a strong tourism recovery and ongoing infrastructure expansion.

The decisive victory now strengthens his mandate, but also raises questions about the future of the opposition, which faces internal challenges after significant losses at the polls.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

The Bahamas, May 4, 2026 – The Parliamentary Registration Department is assuring the public that ballots cast during advance polling remain secure, following a viral video that sparked confusion and concern in eastern Nassau.

The footage, widely circulated on social media, showed a tense scene outside Thelma Gibson Primary School, where party supporters surrounded election officials as a ballot box was escorted to a waiting vehicle under police guard. The confrontation—loud, chaotic and closely watched—left many questioning whether proper procedures were being followed.

In response, the PRD moved to clarify.

In an official statement, the Department said the transport of ballot boxes in the Elizabeth and Yamacraw constituencies was conducted in line with established protocol. It explained that once polling concludes, the Presiding Officer is required to return sealed ballot boxes to the Returning Officer, who—accompanied by a senior police officer—then transports them to the Parliamentary Commissioner.

The PRD said it is satisfied that Returning Officer Sonia Culmer adhered to those procedures and that the ballot boxes remained sealed at all times.

But that account has been challenged.

PLP Elizabeth candidate Jobeth Coleby-Davis has called for an urgent investigation into what she described as alleged irregularities involving ballot handling. She claims that established procedures were breached, including the movement of sealed ballot boxes without the presence of party observers, and is urging authorities to review the matter.

The competing accounts have added to public unease following scenes that saw supporters from multiple political parties crowding officials during the transfer process, demanding clarity on what was taking place.

Individuals clad in PLP shirts, including incumbent Coleby-Davis swarmed the returning officer, police officers and the ballot boxes.  The charge was the woman in the crosshairs of the accusations was connected to the opposition FNM party.

There was nothing to validate this claim and there is no confirmed breach reported by election officials.

Ballots cast during advance polling are expected to remain secured until Election Day, May 12, when they will be merged with ballots in their respective constituencies and counted as part of the official tally.

For now, the PRD is standing firm on the integrity of the process—even as calls for further scrutiny grow louder.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.