The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

On June 23, 2016, the British public voted in a referendum to leave the European Union. The objective was either to leave the EU or to remain. Brexit, namely the term used for Britain to exit the EU was voted in favour of roughly 51 per cent to exit and 49 per cent to remain. The people of Britain voted against remaining in the EU against the wishes of most of the members of parliament and the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron.

As soon as the results were known, David Cameron announced immediately that as a result of the failed referendum that he would step down as Prime Minister. This was the honourable thing to do and is in keeping with Westminster conventions and democratic principles. David Cameron took responsibility and moved decisively to ensure that there would be a smooth transition from the results of the plebiscite.

He assured the public that he would not hinder Britain’s march forward, nor would he stand in the way to prevent the wishes of the people being executed

Indeed, David Cameron stated that the UK needed fresh leadership. He also said that the will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.

He further retorted that he had made it clear that the referendum was about this and this alone, (that Britain was stronger, safer and better within the EU) not the future of any single politician, including himself. Notwithstanding that, David Cameron informed everyone that he was going and would stay on only for another three months.

He did not make an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot. He did the honourable thing and resigned. He, nor his minions, blamed the failed result on anyone, nor did they in turn call the British people, those that voted to exit, unintelligent. They accepted the right of the people to exercise their franchise the way their conscience dictated.

Compare the UK Prime Minister’s conduct with that of our current Prime Minister, Mr Christie. On June 7th 2016 the Bahamian people voted in a referendum dubbed equality referendum. This referendum was supposed to give men and women equal rights under the constitution. The narrative was that this was a vote for “your future, your children and your children’s children”. Mr Christie fully supported the referendum and ensured that more than one million dollars was spent to secure the “yes” vote. However, it failed and failed miserably. This was just another of a myriad of flops by Mr Christie and his government.

Now after the failed referendum what does Mr Christie do, he blames Dr Minnis for not overtly supporting the “yes” campaign, he blames the Bahamian people for wanting to “pay them back” for campaigning against a similar referendum in 2002 and for not keeping his word in the failed referendum of 2013. He blamed the Bahamian people for not trusting him and his minions when it was clear that they are untrustworthy. To add insult to injury, he makes an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot of June 7th 2016. The honourable thing for Mr Christie to do is to resign, even though some time has passed since the failed referendum. He should still take the principled decision and follow the respectable stand taken by David Cameron and GO.

In 2002, after the failed referendum put forward by the then government of Mr Ingraham both Fred Mitchell and Dr Nottage called for Mr Ingraham to resign. The call was disingenuous as the referendum of 2002 was held in February of that year and general elections were in May of that year. Mr Mitchell in his usual tired hubris encouraged all and sundry to vote no. Thereafter they called for Mr Ingraham’s resignation.

Interestingly enough we have not heard the call from Dr Nottage for Mr Christie to resign nor have we heard the call from Mr Mitchell for Mr Christie to resign. The silence is deafening. One has to wonder if the cat has gotten their tongues.

We submit that Mr Christie must resign if he is an honourable man. If he did, he would comply with Westminster conventions and best parliamentary practices.

Mr Christie, in the name of everything that is good and decent “JUST GO”.

RAYMOND A ROLLE

Nassau,

June 27, 2016.