The Opening of the Bahamian Parliament

by Craig Butler

I attended the opening of parliament for the first time since childhood, and I can tell you it was nothing like I remembered. In fact I really did not remember much, but what I observed at this one will cause me never to attend one of these things again if proper procedures are not put in place.

The organization, or rather the lack thereof, was a complete embarrassment. Trying to adhere to the rules we arrived well before the stated time to be seated. It was clear from the onset that this was going to turn out to be a fiasco. First of all we were supposed to present our admission tickets to a protocol officer who would then guide us as to where we were to sit.

It took about three minutes to locate one and then she really was of no help - she did take us to the area where we were supposed to be seated but there was no collection of the tickets to ensure that everyone was indeed supposed to be there. That, however, was only the tip of the iceberg.

The seating was arranged in rows and aisles and due to poor planning there was a large number of seats that were outside of the tented area. With no police presence to ensure order or protocol personnel to monitor the area, there was exhibited what I can only describe as a bush mentality.

One woman picked up her chair and said that she was sitting in the sun and proceeded to take her seat right up to the front. As no one sought to stop her the law of the jungle took over and within a half hour any semblance of order had vanished. There was just a free for all.

I looked to see if the protocol people were anywhere in sight but that proved to be fruitless. Future events need to have better coordination between the protocol officials and the police to ensure that order is maintained.

Additionally, those of us who were there could not follow what was going on as there were only two monitors set up and those charged with planning didn’t have the foresight to raise them off the ground, but had them at chair level. Worse still, the sound was awful and we could not hear what was going on, especially over the police and defence force bands which continuously played and the officers barking orders.

In fact, during the Speech from the Throne there was a moment during the delivery by the governor-general when the police were shouting which surprised everyone, including Arthur Hanna.

Since the election Bahamians have been unable to move ahead, and there is still a great feeling of partisanship causing either feelings of jubilation or despair. As a result there were numerous insults thrown by supporters of the respective parties at the other side and a lot of booing, which was undignified and disrespectful. Grow up Bahamas! The FNM won but it’s not the end of the world. We are one nation despite political allegiances and we need to act accordingly.

THE FNM

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has appointed a large cabinet and in so doing has spread his wings wide to ensure that he controls the elected members. All those with responsibility are guided by long enshrined principles associated with the Westminster system of governance.

That may help the prime minister but in the few weeks that the FNM has been in power there are two ministers in particular who have resumed their smug, holier-than-thou attitude. The next time they are on the dais look carefully at their faces and it would be patently obvious of whom I speak.

Once you set yourself aside in this fashion it will be hard to do the people's business and this arrogant attitude will be their downfall.

THE PLP

The PLP have a long and storied history with the possibility of an even greater future, but I don’t think the present road they are traveling is doing anything to ensure this future. Rather, it is making it difficult for them to once again set foot on glory road. Ever since May 2 it appears as though the official opposition has had problems accepting their role. I’m sure that the defeat must not only have come as a surprise but must also be very hard to accept.

The PLP have only themselves to blame for their present predicament. That said, they need to now go about the business of being the official opposition and stop contributing to the malaise that seems to be hanging over the country.

As the official opposition they are charged with being the people's watchdog - in other words they have a responsibility to the electorate to ensure that the government’s policies are in the best interest of the country.

It is not a function of the opposition to try to stymie the progress of the government. Accordingly, as leader I would have expected former prime minister Perry Christie to have announced his shadow cabinet at this stage. Their purpose will be to monitor the activities of the minister and the ministry to which they have been appointed. The shadow ministershould debate the merits of any proposed legislation or policies in a meaningful way and offer alternatives.

However, rather than go about their duties in this fashion the PLP seem bent on contesting the election results and undertaking legal action in respect of the senate appointments. This is an available option that I’m sure the hierarchy of the party feel is correct.

But - and this is a big but - it is one that is not galvanizing support for the party but rather seems to be one that is not only fracturing supporters but the nation as a whole. I say this because their actions appear to be guided by spite and a disbelief that they are no longer the government. In the circumstances I wish those in control will reconsider not only the message but also how it is delivered.

I sought a nomination from the PLP in the last election but did not receive one. I’m sure that given the opportunity I will do so again. In that light I would like to see a party that is attuned to the thoughts and needs of the people and not an organization, as some in the street are saying, that is crying over spilt milk.

Campaign Materials

There is still a large number of political paraphernalia adorning the streets. It would be nice, just as there were people who put them up, that the respective candidates send around their people to take them down. Some of the larger signs were placed in awkward places thus obscuring the view of the road. So if it's not too much to ask, can the candidates please take away their banners and signs?