The Tribune

The warning signs are flashing for the government after last week's stunning US presidential election result, Malcolm J Strachan says

We are now living in a new reality.

Donald J Trump will be the next president of the United States of America, having defeated the political machine that is Hillary Rodham Clinton.

It was an unlikely result in a race that was as far from normal as anyone has seen in modern day politics.

Trump had stunned the world. And how did he do it? He tapped into the “silent majority” of America - Americans who were living on the fringes, in the rural towns, those who had been lost and forgotten.

He preached a message of exclusion and division that galvanised his supporters around one common enemy, “the political elite”, and - of course - the media.

Every poll at the end had Hillary Clinton winning. Every political pundit (save for Fox News of course) was brimming with the excitement on how would Bill Clinton would be recognised once Hillary was sworn in; first husband, or first dude? No one saw the possibility of such an upset.

It’s too early to describe Trump’s campaign as anything more. There was no finesse to it. It was a broken toothed, bareknuckle brawling, mudslinging fest that got the job done. Now, we, and the world will simply have to live with it.

What is interesting about the Trump phenomena now are the immediate correlations that Bahamian politicians want to draw.

One observer told us last week, “what Trump has taught me is that when the people want you out, you are out. No matter how much money you spend, you are gone!”

Another added, “The tide on traditional politicians is setting in the Bahamas. The people the world over want change, for good or bad. You now have to tap into that growing voter apathy and resentment and ride the wave to victory.”

These two views may have some merit if looked at in the right context.

There is no doubt that the Christie administration is unpopular in this country. That much we all can agree on. But what can be done with that resentment by the masses?

Does that translate into a natural support for the main opposition party, the Free National Movement (FNM)?

They have an unconventional leader (much like Trump), with unconventional ideas and plans. The support base of the party is still somewhat split after a tumultuous leadership battle (much like the Republican base). The party is in desperate need of rebuilding and rebranding. But can the Trump phenomena translate to a Minnis-led FNM?

To be clear, we are not sure as yet, but there is hope that it will.

This government has had all the warning signs it needs to know when it’s on the ropes.

A gaming referendum on an issue that Bahamians widely enjoy was rejected by the country in overwhelming fashion. The number of voters was low, but the mandate was clear.

Then again, when the country was put to a referendum on women’s rights, the vote was the same. A clear repudiation of the government, and not the issue.

Following that devastating loss we wrote that ironically, the only constituencies where a Yes vote prevailed for any one of the questions were seats held by FNMs.

A June 12, 2016, Insight said:

“Some may suggest that this may have more to do with the socio-economic status of the residents in those constituencies. Or, it could be that FNM MPs were more successful in educating their people on the issues. Even in Long Island where the questions were rejected, you can see that the numbers were closer than any other island. So what does this tell us? Well, mainly, the PLP does not have a mandate to lead. In any other jurisdiction, the Prime Minister would go back to his people via a general election. But we live in a young democracy where Governments are not so quick to give up power and yield to the voice of the people.”

The words seem prophetic now, but the lesson is clear - when the people are tired of you, they will let you know.

But unlike the United States, in the Bahamas there is the ultimate spoiler for general elections - the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). Only in existence for five years, the DNA party has had a significant impact on the political landscape of this country.

The party’s leader, Branville McCartney, is seen as charismatic and passionate. He leads an organisation that legitimately believes they are the best option for the country, as they brand the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the FNM as two sides of the same coin. Whether this strategy works or not is still yet to be seen, but their impact on the election can be projected as something to watch either way.

So where does that leave the country?

A floundering, corrupt PLP administration is holding the Bahamas hostage while they sell off the nation’s treasures to the Chinese. For the salvation of the country, the DNA and the FNM must come together. Accommodations must be made for the greater good, or else we could face our own Trump event - a return of Perry Christie and the PLP.

I’m sure the nation at large would agree with me when I say this country can neither afford nor contemplate such a thing.

If the PLP’s current term in office is any indication, another five years of mismanagement and corruption could jeopardise the very independence and or sovereignty of this nation.

The Bahamas needs to be for Bahamians once again. The country needs to send a clear signal that we are not a nation for sale, and that the desires, dreams and aspirations of Bahamians come first in the Bahamas, not the political orders of Beijing.

We therefore encourage our readers to continue to be informed and not to lose heart. As we have seen in the United States, Trump has won, but like President Barack Obama said, the sun still rose the following day.

In the Bahamas we should now turn our attention to our own issues and ensure that we are as focused and determined as our giant neighbours to the north. We must do this, not just for our sake, but for those yet unborn. What type of Bahamas do we want them to inherit? We should ponder on this as we look to 2017.

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