The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The onus is on the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to win the vacant North Abaco Constituency. It is a do or die situation and one which will, in essence, be a referendum on the first four months of the resurgent Christie administration or is it the Davis protectorate?

The FNM, led by the now rapidly emerging consensus leader of the revitalised official opposition, needs only to secure a mere plurality of the registered voters in that constituency to demonstrate that it has the PLP on the ropes and that it is in hot pursuit of returning to high office. The prospects of the big gold dream are, to some Bahamians, rapidly, fading and a large number of its supporters are disillusioned, rightly or wrongly, with the “failure” of the PLP, so far, to actually deliver on promised expectations. Constituents are unable or incapable of gaining access to elected “servants” of the people. Most ministers are posturing and playing doll house styled politics. Leaders are illusive; absent in office and, to put it simply, dismissive of countless of their followers. Apart from a few crumbs, the loaf of bread is still for PLPs only. The situation, on the ground, is becoming almost unbelievable and too many, unthinkable. There may be no holograms but some “dead” people are in place, again. Fixed appointments are ignored except for foreigners and whites. Yes, we the people of The Bahamas are tired of politics as usual where after a general election the victors treat us like shaving cream or worse.

No sir, we are not children and we, collectively, refuse to take the crap, ad nauseum. The by-election in North Abaco will be a referendum on the performance or otherwise of the PLP administration. If it were to lose that constituency in October, as it could very well do, the handwriting will be on the wall. What about the FNM and its leader? Dr Minnis and crew have their work cut out for them. Now is the time for the good man to show and demonstrate that he has what it takes to become Prime Minister of the nation. Just like the now fabled by-election in Marco City, Grand Bahama decades ago, North Abaco will make or break the prospects of a Minnis administration. Now is the time for Dr Minnis to fish; cut bait or, possibly, get the hell out of the proverbial boat.

There are several ways which he could deploy and utilise to win that constituency but it is not for me to suggest them to him as I am not and have never been a member of the FNM. He could burst the bubble, if that is what it is, however, of the big gold dream. There are any number of national issues and concerns which the FNM and its leadership cadre could highlight and torpedo the PLP in the water. What are they and would it be appropriate for Ortland H Bodie Jr to suggest them to the official opposition?

Had the former representative for North Abaco listened to me in the months leading up to the May 7th general elections, he would have been in high office today. It has been said, however, that hard heads make good bird soup. So said, so done. Mr Christie has made several missed steps, in my view. This is his last lap around the block and he should really be focusing on his political legacy.

One glaring issue which stands out is the posture of the PLP relative to illegal immigration and migration. While in opposition the PLP had plenty to say about this issue but now that it is in governance the silence is deafening. The Minister could fix his mouth, while sucking on what must have been a bitter lemon, to lament the backlog of work permit applications while tens of thousands of unwashed Bahamians are out of work! Blow me down? As a prophet, I already know which party will win North Abaco. It is not for me, however, at this stage, to publicly reveal the certain winner. The PLP is being tested and the FNM is being challenged. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr

Nassau,

September 13, 2012.