List of political parties in the Bahamas facts for kids
In the Bahamas, a political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how the country should be run. These groups work together to get their members elected to government. Once elected, they try to make laws and policies that match their beliefs.
Political parties in the Bahamas can be grouped into different types. Some are "major" parties, meaning they are very popular and often win elections. Others are "minor" parties, which are smaller and don't usually win as many seats. There are also "new" parties just starting out, and "defunct" parties that no longer exist.
Contents
Main Political Parties in Parliament
The Parliament of the Bahamas is where laws are made. The two main political parties that currently have members in Parliament are the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM). These parties have the most influence in how the country is governed.
| Party Name | Short Name | Leader | Main Beliefs | Number of Senators | Number of Assembly Members | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Liberal Party | PLP | Philip Davis | This party believes in helping all people and making society fairer. They often focus on social programs and progress. |
12 / 16
|
32 / 39
|
|
| Free National Movement | FNM | Michael Pintard | This party believes in individual freedom and less government control. They often focus on economic growth and traditional values. |
4 / 16
|
7 / 39
|
|
- Party Name: This is the full name of the political party.
- Short Name: This is a shorter way to refer to the party.
- Leader: This is the person in charge of the party.
- Main Beliefs: This describes the main ideas or "ideology" that the party follows. It's like their guiding principles.
- Number of Senators: Senators are appointed members of Parliament who review laws.
- Number of Assembly Members: These are members of Parliament who are elected by the people to represent different areas of the country.
Types of Political Parties
Political parties in the Bahamas are sometimes grouped based on how well they do in elections and how much support they have.
Major Parties
These are the biggest and most powerful parties. They usually win many seats in Parliament and often form the government. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) are examples of major parties today. Other parties that were once major include the Bahamas Democratic Party (BDP) and the United Bahamian Party (UBP).
Minor Parties
Minor parties are smaller and have less support than major parties. They might win a few seats in Parliament, or none at all. They still play a role by offering different ideas and choices to voters. Examples include the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and the Bahamas Constitution Party (BCP).
New Parties
These are political parties that have recently formed and are trying to gain support. They are often just starting out and may not have a long history in Bahamian politics. Examples include the Bahamian Way Forward Movement (BWFM) and the Coalition of Independents (COI).
Defunct Parties
"Defunct" means a party no longer exists. These are parties that used to be active in Bahamian politics but have since stopped operating. Examples include the United Bahamian Party (UBP) and the National Development Party (NDP).
See also
- Lists of political parties
