The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WE RESPOND to the letter written in your column published on Tuesday, 29th May. The letter was in reference to the Senate appointment of Gary Sawyer, candidate for the Progressive Liberal Party for Central & South Abaco.

The writer expressed disappointment and spoke negatively about the appointment of Senator Sawyer and insinuated that the PLP government has failed to listen to the people of Central and South Abaco due to the fact that Mr Sawyer was not successful in his bid to win election to the House of Assembly, and yet appoints him to the upper house.

I don't know if the writer suffers from Alzheimer's or is simply distracted by their political blindfold. Why didn't the FNM listen to the voters of Mount Moriah in 2002, and not appoint Tommy Turnquest? Why did the FNM in 2002, appoint Carl Bethel, when the voters of Holy Cross rejected him? Why did the FNM government in 2007, appoint Dion Foulkes, who was not successful in MICAL?

Is the FNM not listening to the voices of the people?

Obviously, the writer is oblivious to our parliamentary democracy and our Westminster traditions. The Senate is an appointed body and Senators serve at the pleasure of the government. The House of Assembly is an elected chamber, and serves the people and the constituents that elect them.

The House of Lords in the UK, which is the equivalent of our Senate, the Lords are appointed, not elected. Is the British PM neglectful of the wishes of the people, based on his appointments?

Traditionally, parties (FNM or PLP) appoint candidates who were not successful but have potential to offer meaningful contributions in a particular area. Most bills originate in the elected House, it is just critiqued in the Upper Chamber.

It is the right of the government or opposition to chose and appoint persons to serve in the Senate, whom they feel will be most effective. The Senate is not appointed based on popularity or public consensus, it is appointed to the best judgment of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

The current Chief Justice is an example of someone who went down in defeat to Alfred Sears in Fort Charlotte in 2007. Former PM Ingraham appointed him to the Senate, and then in turn, appointed him as Chief Justice, a reject of the people?

But one must understand, that appointive offices, such as justices or senators, are appointed based on their credentials of being able to serve in their respective capacities, in the judgment of the government.

This is our system. The Westminster model that has served these islands since 1729, making our way of government the third oldest democracy in the Western Hemisphere, even older than the United States. This isn't something new.

Mr Gary Sawyer has been an outstanding example of an upstanding citizen with business success, and one who can bring a lot to the furtherance of moving our country forward. I am sure Prime Minister Christie has every confidence that Mr Sawyer will serve well in this capacity. It would be the country's loss for him not to serve.

The writer should educate himself on the inner workings and alert himself to the conventions of Westminster governance before putting pen to paper. It would save them from looking foolish. Until such time as a new system is put in place, this is the accepted system of government in former British colonies, and it has bode well as the Bahamas is viewed as a thriving and healthy democracy.

EDUCATED,

INFORMED,

& MOVING

FORWARD

Nassau,

June 7, 2012.