The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Political leadership in the Bahamas has always been convoluted and based on strong personalities. The late, great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling personified this style of leadership while displaying signs of empathy and Christian principles. He was, of course, a political cut throat, in my view of the highest order. Not in a bad way, but a way which brooked no opposition and certainly no overt displays of independence from “the Chief”.

It has long been rumoured that Sir Lynden saw Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie as his best students. If they were, it is small wonder that this wonderful country of ours has been jacked up, big time, between the two of them. We have a massive national debt which hovers above $6 billion and change. Our annual deficit is in the declared area of $500m and counting. 65 per cent of each dollar collected by the administration goes towards civil service salaries and entitlements.

This month marked 40 odd years since the entry of Perry Gladstone, MP, PC into frontline politics. He has done remarkably well for himself and his immediate family. Twice in his stellar career, he has ascended to the very top of the greasy pole. While he is seen as a consensus leader, he is widely viewed, even by his most ardent supporters, as visionless and “the great meanderer”.

Ingraham was an entirely different leader. He knew the direction in which he wanted to take the nation, regardless of the consequences for the average Bahamian. He was just like the proverbial bull in a china shop. It was either his way or hit the highway. The political casualties wrought by Ingraham are well known and are legendary.

Unfortunately for this wonderful nation is that none of the three Prime Ministers since Independence were/are economists or well versed, if at all, in economics and high finance. Yes, we have had Ministers of State within the Ministry of Finance, as we do to this very day, but the substantive Minister of Finance, traditionally, has also been the Prime Minister of the day. Havoc has resulted and economic dislocation, especially, for the average Bahamian is staggering.

The economy has been stagnant for almost a decade and no national ‘leader’ has yet to formulate and implement a realistic plan of action to stimulate and grow the same. Yes, a few hundred jobs may have been generated in fits and starts but tens of thousands of Bahamians are out of work and have little prospects of finding a job any time soon. Entrepreneurs are faced with no access to capital and a huge amount of red tape.

Political leadership is an art or a subject which must be studied and researched over a long period of time. Leaders must be able to show a successful track record in some field of endeavour, especially before entry into front line politics. Ingraham and Christie were, basically, legal hacks who never really had the apparent and overt appetite for the actual practice of the law. Pindling used the law as a vehicle to garner popularity and to grasp the leadership of the then fledging Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) from the then almost geriatric leaders.

Sir Lynden was the smoothest of the smooth and knew how to manipulate and pull levers to his distinct advantage. He was also blessed to have a cadre of sycophantic followers, including me, who would have, literally, died for his cause. This was one of the main reasons why he was able to ‘rule’ the Bahamas for so long.

With the re-election of Dr Minnis as leader of the FNM he now has another opportunity to reset the remote control, so to speak, and rise to the occasion as a viable and believable leader. I have confidence that he will so do, but the $1m question is whether or not he and the splintered FNM will be able to heal and come together in time to successfully challenge the PLP in 2017 or whenever a general election is called.

Within the PLP, many wish that Christie would step aside, now, as he had promised. I do not subscribe to this. The PM still has a lot to offer and the agenda to cement his political legacy is not yet completed. I would advise the iconic PLP to allow Christie to remain at the helm until next year May and then guide him towards and through an “honourable and comfortable” mandatory retirement. He would, by then, have successfully, completed his course.

The ongoing Renward Wells (PLP-Bamboo Town) saga is a strong indictment on the leadership style of Christie. Wells, whether he knows it or not, has belittled the PM in a very public way, both in the country and within the party. The stench over this now infamous ‘letter of intent’ is unbearable. Either Wells needs to explain or Christie should, say exactly what went on; who authorised the generation of the LOI; was there any monetary benefit to anyone and, if so, who. We also need to know why the Minister of Works, apparently, was not kept in the loop.

Of course, I fully expect Philip ‘‘Brave” Davis (PLP-Cat Island), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, to emerge as party leader and by extension, Prime Minister. It is only at this juncture that the Bahamas will see real and concrete movement forward over all. Brave has displayed all of the right ingredients of successful leadership. Plus, unlike the three Prime Ministers to date, he is a self made man who did not rely, solely, on politics to line his pockets.

It has been said that God creates leaders and that may well be the case. This country is badly in need of fresh and bold leadership. Fresh, yes, but there must be a mature and seasoned individual at the wheel. This is where Brave comes in. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr

Nassau,

November 28, 2014.