The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Rt Honourable Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie recently made several declarations about his future as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party.

He presented a near perfect argument of confusion which in essence is a red herring and he continues to use this modus operandi with devastating efficiency.

He initially said that he was working on a succession plan to ensure that the PLP had someone ready to take the leadership of the party in his absence. Then he said “this matter is a matter that will be decided upon by the PLP and most certainly by me”.

As usual, the prime minister uses his classic contradictory themes to confuse the electorate.

But some of us are not so fooled by Christie’s comments. He went on to say, “Perchance, the people of this party, even Mr (Philip) ‘Brave’ Davis who is my deputy and is a wonderful aspirant, all of them may say ‘Christie we think you better hold on’”.

Isn’t it peculiar that the PM would call Davis a wonderful aspirant and in the same vein say that all of them, which includes Davis, may say it is better if he (the prime minister) stays on as the PLP’s leader.

Christie knows that Davis and a few others want to lead right now so why would he casually insult them with his fallacious argument.

He appears to be toying with potential successors.

Like his predecessor, Sir Lynden Pindling, Christie does not know when to quit and his lust for power has clouded his recognition of his diminishing returns.

The fallout of the drug allegations levied against the Pindling government in the 1980s was enough for the Bahamian people to vote his government out of office in 1992.

The Bahamian people also voted to keep Pindling out of office as prime minister in 1997. It was only then that Pindling resigned as leader of the PLP and retired from front line politics.

But Christie is in a more powerful position than Sir Lynden was. He is still the most popular PLP, but also on his side is the fact that the opposition forces in the country are not united, which gives Mr Christie a legitimate chance to regain the government despite a lacklustre performance so far in his second term.

Christie knows that he can win another election if the DNA and the FNM do not find some common ground.

Some may ask why Christie is playing games with his aspirants.

The answer to this is because he can. He knows that there is a faction in the PLP that wants him retired as soon as possible. I am sure he knows who these party members are.

The plain truth though is that willing and able successors to Christie have not been politically astute enough to wrestle power away from him.

Strangely, they have failed in their bid to captivate enough support in their own party even though it is widely accepted amongst PLP insiders that Christie’s best days are behind him.

I agree with this conclusion in its totality, Mr Prime Minister. There continues to be record levels of social unrest in this country under your watch. There are little to no job and ownership opportunities available, crime remains out of control and Bahamian businesses are crumbling or at the breaking point.

A June 2014 report released by the Department of Statistics stated that 40,000 Bahamians are living below the poverty line which is less than $5,000 per year. The misery index is at an all time high.

A leader is supposed to be a dealer in hope. You tell me, sir, where is the hope?

Dr Myles Munroe said that “A leader should not overstay his time”. Take Dr Munroe’s expert advice, bow out gracefully. Must we sink further into economic and social chaos because you have some unfulfilled legacy in your mind?

Is it that you want to serve as prime minister three times as the Rt Honourable Hubert Ingraham did and create a tie for bragging rights over tea? Is it that you want to stroke your ego?  

Whatever the reason, please realise that there is too much at stake. The country’s progress or lack thereof hangs in the balance.

The news of you wanting to run for prime minister again, Mr Christie, is rather unfortunate and this has dealt a devastating blow to the country.

Many people are nervous and they should be. The Bahamas does not need any more red herrings, but we need new leadership that will inspire a nation and lay the framework for a new generation of innovative Bahamians.

You have run your course and have taken the ship as far as you could. It’s time to pass the baton.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

December 6, 2014.