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Keith Bell (Bahamian politician)

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Keith Bell
Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal
Assumed office
4 September 2023
Prime MinisterPhilip Davis
Preceded byJoBeth Coleby-Davis (as Minister of Housing & Transport)
Minister of Labour and Immigration
In office
2021 – 4 Septermber 2023
Prime MinisterPhilip Davis
Preceded byJoBeth Coleby-Davis (Housing & Transport)
Succeeded byPia Glover-Rolle (Labour & Public Service)
Alfred Sears (Immigration and National Insurance)
Minister of State for National Security
In office
2012–2017
Prime MinisterPerry Christie
Member of Parliament
for Carmichael
Assumed office
23 September 2021
Preceded byDesmond Bannister
In office
2012–2017
Preceded byDesmond Bannister
Succeeded byDesmond Bannister
Personal details
Born
Keith Ricardo Bell
Political partyProgressive Liberal Party
Alma materCollege of the Bahamas
University of the West Indies

Keith Ricardo Bell is a Bahamian Progressive Liberal Party politician as the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal since 2023. He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bamboo Town since 2021. Bell also served as the MP for the same constituency from 2012 to 2017.

Career[edit]

Education and Early Career[edit]

Bell holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Law and Criminal Justice from the College of the Bahamas, and a Law degree from the University of the West Indies[1]. Before entering politics, Bell served as a police officer for over 22 years, earning the Baton of Honour as the top graduate from the Police College in 1986. He also lectured at the College of the Bahamas and served as a Member of the Catholic Board of Education and the Bahamas National Trust[2].

Parliament[edit]

1st Term (2012-2017)[edit]

Keith Bell was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Carmichael constituency in 2012, defeated FNM Incumbent Thomas Desmond Bannister. He was appointed as the Minister of State for National Security by Prime Minister Perry Christie, serving in the position from 2012 to 2017[3].

Minister of State for National Security[edit]

During his tenure as Minister of State for National Security, Bell was responsible for leading the implementation of several key initiatives, including the Bahamas National Crime Prevention Strategy and the Police Recruitment and Training Program[4][5].

As Minister, Bell was accused of mismanagement of funds[6]. He lost his bid for re-election in 2017 to Thomas Desmond Bannister.[7]

2nd Term (2021-present)[edit]

Keith Bell was re-elected as the MP for Carmichael in 2021, defeating incumbent Thomas Desmond Bannister.[8] During his tenure, he has served in Prime Minister Philip Davis' Cabinet as the Minister of Labour and Immigration and as the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour". www.5thchildlabourconf.org. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  2. ^ "Keith Bell | Carmichael". The Progressive Liberal Party. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  3. ^ "Bell aims to become security minister". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  4. ^ "Keith Bell: Crime plan has not failed". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  5. ^ "Keith Bell puts his foot in his mouth". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  6. ^ "thebahamasweekly.com - Minister Keith Bell's Mid-term Budget‏ Communication". www.thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  7. ^ "TRADE-OUT: PLP's sweep reminiscent of 2017 election results". Eye Witness News. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  8. ^ "The Bahamas General Election Results 2021". www.bahrep.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.