The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie on Friday questioned the motive behind Prime Minister Perry Christie’s new plan for the future, as he suggested that this was nothing more than an election ploy.

Mr Collie asserted that Bahamians know the prime minister is in full campaign mode, pointing to the two “embarrassing” referendum defeats - last month’s equality vote and the 2013 gaming referendum - during this government’s term in office.

In a statement, Mr Collie said Bahamians were smart enough to see through the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) election year promises because they had already seen it all. 

“Why is it that whenever we enter an election year the PLP and the Prime Minister decide that it is finally time to put together a plan to fix the problems that plague our country? Problems they have made significantly worse each and every day,” Mr Collie said.

“This time the prime minister is touting a new plan that will be coming out soon that will fix our country’s problems. The Bahamian people have heard it all before, after a lot of blustery campaign promises in 2012 he’s failed to deliver on time and time again.

“Crime has risen under the PLP government with murders being at an all time high. Our education system continues to graduate students at a ‘D’ average. The government is flooded with corruption. Secret deals are being discovered weekly. Why is it after four years the prime minister finally decides it is time to do something? Because it is an election year.”

Mr Collie continued: “The country knows that this prime minister is in full campaign mode now after an embarrassing electoral defeat last month, the second one in his term. The Bahamian people are smart enough to see through the PLP’s election year promises - they have seen it all before. 

“They promised the sky in 2012 and look at where it has gotten us. It is time for new leadership in Government House and the FNM will provide a leadership that is not built on empty rhetoric and broken promises.”