There apparently continues to be widespread dissatisfaction within the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) over Perry Christie's decision to continue as leader of the party going into the next general election.

That's certainly the conclusion to be drawn from an article published in the Wednesday, May 7, edition of The Tribune, which claimed that several possible candidates for the PLP in the 2012 general election say they will opt not to run if Christie is the leader.

"Christie is a one-term prime minister, and that's all he is," a party source was quoted as saying. "We had a 12-seat advantage and he lost the whole of Nassau. The FNM had only one seat in Nassau — one. People now have to ask, did Mr. Christie really win in 2002 or was it Pindling's death, coupled with the referendum, that ousted the FNM?"

Obviously, the fact that the source chose to remain anonymous leaves room for Christie supporters to question the veracity of the article's assertion. But it is no secret that a sizeable number of PLPs — including several influential members of the party's hierarchy — do not want Christie to remain as leader of the party.

In fact, Christie almost certainly would have faced a strong challenge to his leadership from Dr. Bernard Nottage, the Member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town, at the PLP's convention this past February; however, the resignation of Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson from the party several weeks prior to the convention and his harsh criticism of Christie's leadership style angered many party members, who reaffirmed their support and confidence in Christie.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Nottage and his supporters, including West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, made the wise decision not to oppose Christie at the convention. It was a wise decision because Christie at the time was basking in overwhelming support from rank-and-file PLP supporters and any attempt to oust him would have been doomed to failure.

Instead, Dr. Nottage and Wilchcombe decided to shelve their plan temporarily, until the groundswell of support for Christie precipitated by Gibson's attack dissipated, which they felt would almost certainly happen with the passage of time, given the widespread dissatisfaction with Christie's leadership that they knew existed within the party. Indeed, prior to Gibson's parting shots when he resigned, outgoing PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby was also highly critical of Christie's leadership and urged him to resign.

Dr. Nottage and Wilchcombe, who has expressed an interest in becoming deputy leader of the party, are expected to galvanize their forces to take another shot at ousting Christie at the next convention, which it was reported would be held this coming November. But Christie has reportedly nixed having a convention later this year, although the party's new chairman, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin, is said to support having a November convention.

Hanna-Martin, of course, supports Dr. Nottage for the leadership and it is safe to assume that Christie will not be cajoled by her to hold a November convention. What's more, Christie appears to have dug his heels in and fully intends to lead the PLP into the next general election. It is this realization no doubt that has prompted those prospective PLP candidates quoted in The Tribune's article to voice such strong negative opinions about Christie's leadership, probably hoping that he would get the message and do what they are convinced is best for the party.

No doubt, Dr. Nottage also hopes that Christie steps down as leader and clears the way for him to possibly realize his life-long dream of becoming Prime Minister of The Bahamas.