National

Prime Minister Philip Davis: From Criminal Lawyer to Prime Minister

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Before Philip Davis became prime minister, he was a notable criminal attorney, representing high-profile clients.

Published

1 month ago

April 27, 2026

Joshua Williams

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Before public office, he was a notable criminal attorney, representing high-profile clients like drug kingpin, Samuel “90” Knowles.

Davis eventually became a magistrate before being elected the Member of Parliament for Rum Cay, Cat Island, and San Salvador in a 1992 by-election.

He lost the seat in 1997 against then–Free National Movement candidate James Miller and regained it in 2002, holding that seat ever since.

In 2009, Davis was elected deputy leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, and eventually became deputy prime minister in 2012 under former Prime Minister Perry Christie.

One of his most memorable moments as PLP deputy leader was his defense of billboards highlighting murders under the FNM.

When the Free National Movement took back the government in 2017, Davis, as opposition leader, was critical of the FNM’s handling of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then Davis got his chance, elected prime minister in a snap election in 2021.

He credits his government for the economic rebound following the pandemic, bolstered by record-breaking tourism numbers and new investments, but he has also had setbacks.

There has been a cabinet shuffle, criticism around the sale of the Grand Lucayan in Grand Bahama, along with the airport redevelopment on that island.

There was also the U.S. indictment of senior law enforcement officers, prompting a commissioner’s resignation, along with controversial cases involving MPs like Keith Bell and Kirk Cornish.

There are also concerns surrounding the Pike deal, which many believe has now fallen apart.

Davis promised to continue fulfilling the 387 promises made in their initial Blueprint for Change.

According to the PLP’s tracker, they have completed 325 of them, a reason for Bahamians to “choose progress.”

Philip Davis – Leader, Progressive Liberal Party

“Tonight we will release our blueprint tracker. This is an online tracking tool which will allow the Bahamian people to see every single commitment made in our Blueprint for Change, allow people to follow what was promised, and measure whether it is delivered.”