The Tribune

FREE National Movement veteran Dion Foulkes has announced that despite his own party’s concerns, he will vote “yes” on the national lottery referendum question.

Speaking on a talk show yesterday, the former Minister of Labour and Social Development and onetime FNM deputy leader said he is still undecided on the question of the regularisation of web shops.

Mr Foulkes said he respects the views of church leaders who are opposed to the referendum questions, but added: “If managed properly, the profits from the establishment of a national lottery would be a significant amount and can help with the further development of sports, culture and education in our nation.”

He cited other countries like Jamaica, Barbados, the United States and Great Britain, where citizens have benefitted from the introduction of a national lottery scheme.

“I am undecided on the web shop question because it is not clear how much of the profits from their operation will come to the government. I would also like to see more people participate in the ownership in this fast growing activity,” said Mr Foulkes.

He also said he is concerned about the jobs of the 4,000 people currently employed in the web shop cafes.

Without firmly committing to voting “no” themselves, Mr Foulkes’ party leaders have hit out at the government repeatedly over how the referendum question was handled.

Most recently, the FNM accused Prime Minister Perry Christie of effectively telling the Christian Council to “drop dead” over the upcoming gambling vote.

The opposition said the council’s concerns about the wording of the questions have been ignored, and accused the government of favouring those pushing for a “yes” vote.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the party said throughout the debate, Prime Minister Christie has pursued a strategy of “confuse, divide and conquer”.

They criticised the Prime Minister for not meeting with everyone who has a vested interested in the issue, and failing to give the public time to mull over the questions – despite promising to do both.