By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday denounced the government’s upcoming “farce” of an observance for Majority Rule Day, telling The Tribune the Minnis administration has betrayed the principles of its historical significance.
Given this view, the former Cabinet minister said she would not engage in any event put on by the government for the holiday, which is tomorrow.
“This administration has betrayed the foundational principles of Majority Rule and have sought to reinstitute offensive policies and principles which stultify the progress of our people and marginalise our collective dreams and aspirations,” Mrs Hanna Martin said in a statement to this newspaper.
“They began with their reversal of the Bahamianisation policy with the passage of the Commercial Enterprise Act, which facilitates and prioritises foreign labour whether or not Bahamians are qualified to do the work. This is an abomination.
“They have most recently undermined our economic stability and favoured and protected minority interests by removing the established underpinning, the exchange control policy which supports the fixed control rate, without consultation: the net effect being the majority of Bahamians now face an economic future of uncertainty.
“They have made a mockery of our National Honours system and potentially devalued its significance.
“They have violated the spirit and intendment of our Constitution by allowing a Cabinet minister to benefit from a lucrative government contract in the renting of the Town Centre Mall despite not having the unanimous approval and consent of Parliament. This is egregious.”
She continued: “They have favoured the wealthy and privileged in policy and action such as we saw with their embarrassing kowtowing to Lyford Cay especially when contrasted with the disrespectful, dogmatic and dictatorial approach to Bahamian citizens and business.
“They have countenanced and condoned the disparaging of women through the official attack on Darnell Osborne, former executive chairman of Bahamas Power & Light Company, sending a vicious message as it relates to women in general.
“They have damaged our country’s reputation by the prime minister’s foray internationally declaring how corrupt the Bahamian people are.
“In the circumstances, I will not engage in the farce of observing form when substance is being destroyed.”
On January 10, 1967, both the Progressive Liberal Party and the United Bahamian Party won 18 parliamentary seats during the general election, with the remaining two going to Randol Fawkes, of the Labour Party, and Alvin Braynen, an Independent.
Mr Fawkes sided with the PLP, helping the party to form the first black-led government and overthrow a white, wealthy oligarchy. Mr Braynen became speaker of the House.
The day was made a national holiday by the last Christie administration.
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Yes, or no ma comrade sister Glenny's, will you speak to why you didn't just ask, how in hell did we jump from Sir Stafford and Pop Symonette to end up at governing disaster one Doc Hubert, with pit stops polling stations voting in Lo, Perry and Papa Hubert..... Comrade sister Glenny's. do preach us not only about past but we needs good clear preaching about what voters will wants for a government - come general election 2022... and, are you ready be colony of islands comrade sister Moses?
Schemer18 5 years, 10 months ago
AMEN VOTE THE DESIEVERS OUT, NEVER TO RETURN...
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Ke Kontan Jou Nan Règ Majorite
Anyone with eyes can see which majority now rules.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 10 months ago
The woman speaks TRUTH. No one has to like it. but it does not and can not change the Truth.
Now doc says he will be looking after the middle class and the poor. when?? after he has killed them with taxes.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
Business people should send GHM and the PLP their employee bills for today ........ this holiday was a farce from Day 1.
Pindling only used Fawkes and the white fella to get power and then screw everyone who was not in the Pindling inner circle ......... ask the Dissident Eight.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
So she really mean that "NOW THE TIEFING CREW CARN TIEF LIKE THEY DID NO MORE". . . like Dr. Myles Monroe said. . ."The old guard will no longer be able to run tings for them, their friend and their lovers". . .we are growing up as a nation. . . carrying out obligations that we signed on to. . .all 25. . .where PLP and their scions such as HAI were keep "stalling" for years. . . the rest of the world are now telling this government. . .STEP UP TO THE PLATE OF GET YA AZZ OFF THE ROAD OF GLOBAL PROGRESS". . .I have sat in some of those meetings. . .this nation is on the brink of defaults from those accords!! The PLPish myopic mind set of "this we tings and ween lettin nobody tell we ha ta run it". . .is the ultimate means of sinking this nation into global economic oblivion!! I wish some of yinna yard chicken mentality can get one lil chance to sit in one of those meetings. . .they are are all over this nation. But to hear this woman rant about removal of exchange control? She is only interested in remaining the elite. . .I often why anybody ever listen to this one dumb politician. Keep in mind that all those accords were signed by the PLP during the 25 years they oppressed the people. . .these obligations een just come around here. . .some of them are over thirty years "outstanding" for compliance!!
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