The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Access to Government House and Her Excellency The Governor-General, the People’s Head of State and representative of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas must not be restricted except under natural conditions of ill-health or for reasons of security.

The release from BIS seemingly and obviously on the direction of the Administrator of Government House, Idris Reid, is a clear indication that the open policy of Her Excellency’s predecessor is gone and now only by request will persons have what we all became accustomed to.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth made a similar mistake as to protocols and how Buckingham Palace was to treat the late Princess Diana to where in time, although seemingly at the young Princess’ funeral officialdom finally understood.

Many feared when the announcement that Dame Marguerite Pindling was to be Governor General that invitations and access would be limited to the governing PLP and exclusively PLP supporters.

Simple advice, before yet again the PLP creates a national issue, it would certainly be recommended that the past policy be reverted to but managed… you can’t have the media running all over the place in the middle of some State event – I suggest the media will accept that, but what seems to be a ban unless under certain controlled circumstances this is not a politique in 2014.

Government House is the People’s House where high society and the island residents rub shoulder with shoulder as equals, irrespective of your race or colour or religion.

Let’s see a change, Your Excellence, Madam Governor General.

JAMES HIGGINS

Nassau,

October 18, 2014.