United Bahamian Party
Encyclopedia
The United Bahamian Party was a major political party
in the Bahamas in the 1950s and 1960s. Representing the interests of the white oligarchy known as the Bay Street Boys, it was the ruling party between 1958 and 1967. It was led by Roland Theodore Symonette
.
Despite winning fewer votes than the black-dominated Progressive Liberal Party
, the party won the 1962 general elections
, largely as a result of gerrymandering
. However, the 1967 elections
saw a reversal in fortunes as the UBP received more votes, but won the same number of seats as the PLP. The PLP formed a government with the support of the sole Labour Party
MP. Following the election the UBP accused the PLP of gerrymandering.
In early elections
the following year, support for the party slumped and it won only seven of the 38 seats. In 1971 it merged with the Free Progressive Liberal Party, a breakaway from the ruling party.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Bahamas in the 1950s and 1960s. Representing the interests of the white oligarchy known as the Bay Street Boys, it was the ruling party between 1958 and 1967. It was led by Roland Theodore Symonette
Roland Theodore Symonette
Sir Roland Theodore Symonette achieved high office as a Bahamian political figure.Roland "Pop" Symonette was born on the small island settlement of Current, Eleuthera...
.
Despite winning fewer votes than the black-dominated Progressive Liberal Party
Progressive Liberal Party
The Progressive Liberal Party is a populist party in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas commonly abbreviated PLP. The PLP lies on the left of the political spectrum....
, the party won the 1962 general elections
Bahamian general election, 1962
General elections were held in the Bahamas on 2 May 1962, the first under universal suffrage. Whilst the Progressive Liberal Party won the most votes, the United Bahamian Party won the most seats, largely as a result of gerrymandering.-Results:...
, largely as a result of gerrymandering
Gerrymandering
In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, incumbent-protected districts...
. However, the 1967 elections
Bahamian general election, 1967
General elections were held in the Bahamas on 10 January 1967. The result was a tie between the Progressive Liberal Party and the United Bahamian Party, both of which won 18 seats...
saw a reversal in fortunes as the UBP received more votes, but won the same number of seats as the PLP. The PLP formed a government with the support of the sole Labour Party
Labour Party (Bahamas)
The Labour Party was a minor political party in the Bahamas. In the 1962 general elections it won a single seat, taken by Randol Fawkes. Fawkes retained his seat in the 1967 elections, in which the United Bahamian Party and the Progressive Liberal Party won 18 seats each. Although the UBP had won...
MP. Following the election the UBP accused the PLP of gerrymandering.
In early elections
Bahamian general election, 1968
Early general elections were held in the Bahamas on 10 April 1968. The result was a victory for the Progressive Liberal Party, which won 29 seats. Voter turnout was 85.5%.-Results:-Elected MPs:...
the following year, support for the party slumped and it won only seven of the 38 seats. In 1971 it merged with the Free Progressive Liberal Party, a breakaway from the ruling party.