Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, flanked by members of the opposition, during a press conference following the 2024 Budget Communication on May 29, 2024. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By Keile Campbell
Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard criticized Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis for being “out of touch” with the economic struggles of everyday Bahamians, following Davis' suggestion that adjusting lifestyle choices could help ease the cost-of-living burden.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Pintard targeted Prime Minister Davis’s recent comments where he pointed to personal choices as a factor in managing expenses.
The opposition leader suggested that Mr Davis’s comments implied that Bahamians could simply choose to live in Stapleton rather than Venetian West to maintain a middle-class lifestyle, calling the remark dismissive of real hardships Bahamians face.
“No leader in touch with the realities of most Bahamians would ever dream of this statement, let alone have the audacity to say it out loud,” Mr Pintard’s statement read.
The backlash against Prime Minister Davis’s comments was swift, with critics online arguing that the prime minister’s words failed to address core issues such as rising food and utility costs, which have strained Bahamian households.
Mr Davis clarified his comments in a later interview with reporters after his initial comments were published online.
He said his comments on choices were not intended to suggest the cost of living is not a serious issue but rather to point out that spending patterns vary depending on one’s decisions.
Mr Davis said “there’s no doubt” that Bahamians are still concerned about the high cost of living, a concern he shares.
In his statement, Mr Pintard claimed that the prime minister’s words reveal a deeper disconnect, pointing to promises the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) made in their “Blueprint for Change” manifesto that have yet to materialize.
Mr Pintard further alleged that the PLP’s response to public outcry was merely “the PLP public relations machine scrambled to try and make sense of the offensive remarks, but the damage was already done.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 1 month, 1 week ago
Mr pintard do your best not to play the part of a fool, choices like not buying food but cooking your own meals, car pooling there are many more see if you can find some, you and buggies bunny
birdiestrachan 1 month, 1 week ago
Mr Pintard how foolish do you think the Bahamian people are, your FNM government increased VAT 60 % and then took VAT of flour and butter, cooking oil which really benefit Bakeries and hotels ,but in your dishonesty you ignore these facts, what have you done for those who voted for not to mention you all said you were against VAT
DontAssume 1 month, 1 week ago
Birdiestrachan, as usual, your political idiocy reigns supreme.
The high cost of living in the Bahamas isn’t just about personal “choices” like steak vs. burgers; it's driven by real economic pressures, and the PLP’s role shouldn’t be downplayed. While the FNM did raise VAT, the current government has not eased the tax burden on Bahamians—if anything, it's added to it with increased fees and expenses to fund projects that often seem more aligned with political agendas than with relief for struggling citizens. They may have lowered VAT from 12% to 10%, but increased taxation in every other area, placing an additional burden on Bahamians.
Additionally, the PLP has made minimal efforts to address the root issues impacting our daily expenses. Our heavy reliance on imports makes us vulnerable to global inflation, supply chain issues, rising energy (Utilities), and Services costs—all factors the PLP could mitigate with strategic policies and resourceful spending, but prefer to line their coffers. So, we see resources allocated in ways that don’t seem to consider the immediate needs of the Bahamian people, like the jet-setting of the Prime Minister. Rather than holding citizens accountable for the cost of living, we need governance that prioritizes efficient spending and real solutions for economic relief, not garbage PLP operative propaganda from you.
whatsup 1 month, 1 week ago
The Gov does not care about everyday Bahamians. They could easily remove VAT from Medical, School Fees, Food and Seniors. What happens to all the VAT money? Why do we have to borrow money from the Chinese to build a hospital? The Politicians are greedy and corrupt...all for them. If only our country was run by successful business men who loved their country and not just enriching themselves.
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