The Tribune

SHUTTING down all web shops and gambling operations is the right thing to do following the overwhelming “no” referendum vote, according to opposition party leaders.

Speaking before Prime Minister Perry Christie’s order last night that all web shops close, FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis and DNA head Branville McCartney said the administration must respect the sentiments expressed by the Bahamian public.

Dr Minnis said the emphatic result followed a referendum process which clearly showed that the PLP had expected a “yes” vote from the outset.

For his part, Mr McCartney praised the Bahamas Christian Council for their successful Save Our Bahamas campaign and said he was “pleased” with the results of the referendum.

“I was very concerned with the procedure, comments, and actions leading up to the referendum and said previously the process was completely flawed – I maintain that,” he said.

“The Prime Minister in particular, really put the Bahamian people in a really difficult position when he introduced this flawed process that he called a referendum.”

“It was very wanting when the Prime Minister, in essence, condoned illegal activities at the time. It was very, very concerning when the Prime Minister stipulated prior to the election that he was not going to uphold the rule of law – that is, he was not going to do anything about these persons working in the web shops prior to the referendum. For any Prime Minister to say that – it’s very concerning.”

Mr McCartney also addressed earlier comments Mr Christie had made about the Bahamas Christian Council, when he criticised their vote “no” campaign, stating there were more pressing matters such as incest, abuse, and violence.

“I had mentioned before that when this first started, that the Christian Council, I was surprised at the amount of time and effort they had put into this one situation,” he said.

“I’m really, in retrospect, glad that they stepped forward. I’m glad that they spoke out and I’m glad that they made their position known, to say the least. I think if it were not for their agitation, perhaps the results would have been different.”