Bahamas Post-Election Notes

by Craig Butler

I have noted now on a few occasions that there appears to be a serious carry-over since the May 2 general election. Specifically, I’m speaking about the ill feelings that exist in our society.

Ever watch a science fiction movie and see how the good guy becomes bad because he is infected or engulfed by a skin of evil? Well, that appears to be the case in the Bahamas. The difference is that here it seems as though a veil of anger and resentment is floating about and causing us to say and do things that we normally wouldn’t.

The Progressive Liberal party's headquarters in Nassau has experienced three fires within a few weeks. The last one apparently can be easily explained as an electrical fault. The other two are still in doubt as to their cause. Consequently the authorities have had to call upon the services of arson investigators from Florida to make a determination.

I don’t think that the outside help was called for because of an inability on the part of our local police. I feel as though because of this ominous veil that I spoke about, the words and actions of all and sundry are under a microscope. Therefore we are unable or unwilling to accept the findings of our officials because we doubt the veracity of their words.

Political operatives from each side would have us believe that the other party - and by extension the officials - are tainted, and so the results are being skewed to suit a particular need. This is a dangerous situation and if it isn’t bought under control soon can lead to a state of anarchy.

There are PLPs who are of the view that the fire was set by the Free National Movement to destroy them, just as there are FNMs of the view that the fire at Tommy Turnquest’s headquarters days before the election was the work of the PLP.

Maybe it’s my naiveté but as far as I’m concerned none of these sentiments have any credence. Or maybe its wishful thinking on my part because if those sentiments prove to be correct we are a lot closer to chaos than I would have thought.

I hope that once the report is made available we accept the findings and work towards healing the wounds and building the nation. In light of the fact at some point in time there will be inquiries into the allegations that surfaced during the general election in respect of vote buying, fraud, and illegitimate voters - to name but a few - I fear that we have a long way to go.

Parliamentary Decorum

The heading is somewhat misleading as decorum is defined as dignity or correctness that is socially expected. Well, the behavior of most of the members in the House of Assembly is anything but.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham promised to ensure that the deliberations of the House are open to everyone, either in person in the gallery or through radio and television. This is a good thing but I would hope that the parliamentarians would remember that they are being watched.

Of course in our Westminster style of governance there is a lot of banter that flows back and forth across the aisles. It is part and parcel of the system, though there is a level of respect due to the person speaking.

What I have observed during the debates leaves much to be desired. Of course politics dictates that you chide the other side, but the level of unruliness is too much and some of the comments are uncouth.

Can someone please tell me why it is that all the microphones appear to be open at the same time? Wouldn’t it make sense that only the mike of the member on his or her feet at that moment be open? It would certainly allow those who are watching or listening to hear exactly what is going on without all the negative comments.

I beg the members on both sides to remember that they should be providing positive examples for the youth of this nation. They should remember that fact and ensure that their behaviour is appropriate.

Brent Symonette

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette delivered a very interesting speech during his contribution to the Budget debate. Mr Symonette also has responsibility for the Hotel Corporation and in a very dispassionate way gave an accounting of the details surrounding the Bah Mar deal. I am disappointed that the local press failed to pick up on this. What was interesting was that there was little reaction from the opposition side as he was doing so.

I stand to be corrected but I’m sure that he said that contemporaneous with the signing of the Heads of Agreement there were also other agreements or collateral accords signed. So I must ask why this was necessary. Additionally the agreement calls for Bah Mar to receive some 390 acres of land, and most astonishing of allm in the end only about $5 million would actually accrue to the government.

Each and every one of us needs to do our own investigations and determine if that is the type of deal we would wish future governments to consummate on our behalf.

There have always been concerns surrounding this deal, which have plagued the PLP from its announcement. I hope that the desire to revitalize the Cable Beach Strip didn’t cause us to take a bite out of our own hides.

Contracts

This FNM government had announced that it was reviewing many of the contracts entered into by the PLP before they demitted office. If it is the intent of the FNM administration to cancel these contracts they had better say so soon and give excellent reasons for so doing.

Cancelling of the contracts for any reason other than that as stated will make it appear as though it is only being done because they were PLP contracts. Wishing that the PLP had not held the seat of government for the last five years does not make it so. And trying to eradicate what they had achieved is not possible.

Comments

[drew Roberts]

On the contracts:

Does any government, present or past want enough light shining to let the people at least have a baseline for evaluating the claimed problems?

If so, I suggest that a history of number of contracts signed and dollar value of contracts signed on a month by month basis be published and highlighted for the last several administrations at least. Say two plp terms prior to 92, the two fnm terms from 92, the last plp, and the current fnm.

Let us see how you all do leading up to elections. Is the latest plp behaviour par for the course or abnormal?

Show if you want us to know.

I am sure there are other things that could shed even more light. Anyone?

all the best,

drew