The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PRIME MINISTER Perry Christie must keep his word and carry out the mandate of the Bahamian people by closing all web shops and gaming houses, Christian Council President Ranford Patterson said yesterday.

Rev Patterson made his comments moments after learning that an injunction had been granted to prevent the government, police, and Attorney General from shutting down web shops pending a hearing before the Chief Justice.

“It is the position of the Bahamas Christian Council and The Save Our Bahamas Committee,” Rev Patterson said, “that all legal matters that arise as a result of the Referendum held on Monday, January 28, 2013 now rest fully within the portfolio of the Attorney General who serves as the people’s lawyer to defend the position and the mandate given by the people who overwhelming voted against the regulation and taxation of webshop gambling and the introduction of a national lottery in The Bahamas.”

“We are fully confident that the Prime Minister will honour his word to the people of our country when he said that he and his government will be guided by the results of the Referendum which unanimously voted no.”

When contacted Rev Patterson said he had no further comment, however Kevin Harris, media relations coordinator for the “Vote No “ campaign, said how the government handles the results from the gaming referendum will determine whether Bahamians decide to participate in future referendums.

“The government said it will be guided by the results of the referendum and by the opinion of the people and the people said no.

“It is important for the government to do the honourable thing and fulfil its commitment to the Bahamian people by doing what they promised, shutting down the web shops,” he said.

“The people of the country will measure the government’s response and the attorney general’s response and determine their future participation in any referendum.

“If they feel like their voice was not defended in this, they may be inclined to never participate in these things again. This is the government’s test.

“If they believe the last referendum had a low voter turnout, can you imagine if the people feel like no one from the government is listening to them or defending them?

“The Bahamian people have done their part, we have done ours and now it is up to the government.”

Mr Harris said the pastors are in a “wait-and-see” mode before they determine what will happen next, but he said he has faith the government will do the right thing.