Keith Bell (Bahamian politician) explained

Keith Bell
Office:Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal
Primeminister:Philip Davis
Term Start:4 September 2023
Predecessor:JoBeth Coleby-Davis (as Minister of Housing & Transport)
Office1:Minister of Labour and Immigration
Primeminister1:Philip Davis
Term Start1:2021
Term End1:4 September 2023
Predecessor1:JoBeth Coleby-Davis (Housing & Transport)
Successor1:Pia Glover-Rolle (Labour & Public Service)
Alfred Sears (Immigration and National Insurance)
Office3:Member of Parliament
for Carmichael
Term Start3:23 September 2021
Predecessor3:Desmond Bannister
Office2:Minister of State for National Security
Term Start2:2012
Term End2:2017
Primeminister2:Perry Christie
Term Start4:2012
Term End4:2017
Predecessor4:Desmond Bannister
Successor4:Desmond Bannister
Birth Name:Keith Ricardo Bell
Alma Mater:College of the Bahamas
University of the West Indies
Party:Progressive Liberal Party

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

Education and Early Career

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

1st Term (2012-2017)

Keith Bell was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Carmichael constituency in 2012, defeated FNM incumbent 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

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)

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

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