"Mr Speaker,
Members of Parliament,
It is my belief that politics is about persons coming together to achieve common goals for the good of the people they represent.
In order for the group to survive there must be respect, honesty, transparency and decency towards one another. In order for progress to be achieved, there must be some real fundamental bonding with each other - and a vision as to what that group needs to achieve in order to capture the dream to which people aspire.
Mr Speaker, when I was invited to enter the political arena some time in the year 2001, I had a vision of being a part of an organisation that my father, a humble taxi driver (taxi no. 4) was a proud and faithful member of since its inception. I reluctantly agreed to enter politics but felt it was a noble cause. Over the years, my reluctance became sheer love for this new career path - especially as I came to know the people of Elizabeth.
Sir, I never once expected fame or fortune when I entered politics. Service to country was not new to me. In earlier years, I had served in the capacity of a prosecutor in the Attorney General's Office for four years; as an acting magistrate on several occasions; I served as the first president of the newly established Bahamas Industrial Tribunal for two years; and as a justice of the Supreme Court for a year - all at no significant remuneration.
I should add, sir, that before I left the Supreme Court bench I was invited to become a permanent judge and could have been a judge years ago had I wished. But I declined and returned to my own law chambers.
So to trivialise this matter by saying that this is about my not having been given a Cabinet seat is frightening, because it shows a mentality that is totally out of touch with reality. The Cabinet was chosen in 2002. This is now 2010 - why would I stay for seven and a half years afterwards if in fact I was "puffed up" over not being in Mr Christie's Cabinet.
Mr Speaker, the Elizabeth Constituency has some 4,000 constituents. Since the 2007 election , I have spoken to many of my supporters in Elizabeth indicating to them the possibility of my departure from the political arena depending on the direction in which my party chose to go.
Over the past few days Mr Speaker, the noise in the market has become quite vociferous. But, sir, I invite those who are not a part of the great constituency which I have been privileged to represent, not to mind the noise in the market.
You see, we in Elizabeth know what time it is. That noise is not coming from the decent people of Elizabeth. The noise is coming from the same direction that it came from prior to my nomination in 2007.
The people of Elizabeth are intelligent, decent, independent minded and have been calling me to tell me what they have been telling me since 2007 - we support you whatever you do.
Mr Speaker, ever since my election to this honourable House in 2002, my relationship with the leadership of my party has been strained. Seven and a half years later that relationship has worsened. From then to now has been the worst personal experience that my family and I have ever faced. I took the insults, the disrespect, the negative gossip, the careful and calculated undermining that has been the hallmark of my political journey.
But through it all I took the blows, never flinching, never allowing it to make me lose my focus of what my responsibilities were to the people of Elizabeth. The interesting thing, sir, is that is that none of this came from the good people of Elizabeth. In fact, it came from those outside Elizabeth, who obviously feared anyone who could think and had an independent view - and most of all, refused to be led by mediocrity.
In fact, sir, if it were not for the support and encouragement of the good people of Elizabeth, I would have succumbed long ago to the vicious politics and hatred that was hatched by those wretched beings outside the boundary of the great constituency of Elizabeth by those whom one would least expect to do so.
But the history of my political journey is well documented in the account I gave during my first speech in this House, after the 2007 election, of the journey of the famous dingy boat "Elizabeth". And so, Mr Speaker, I need not relate it once again.
Mr Speaker, I have tried my best to serve the good people of Elizabeth. We had good and bad times together. During the years 2002 to 2007 I sought but could not obtain the much needed assistance for the people of Elizabeth; nor could I provide the much needed infrastructure. Nevertheless, Elizabeth supported me. I am happy that between 2007 and 2009 as a result of the contribution of the government members of parliament, I have been able to refurbish two existing parks and construct four new parks for the people of Elizabeth - so that families can take their children for recreational activities at their leisure. I am happy that Elizabeth Estates park has had additional construction recently added with the addition of a walking track, a softball diamond and a brand new modern toilet facility for men and women.
I am indeed pleased that I was able to donate to the Elizabeth Children's Home beautiful furniture to add to the comfort of the children and the staff in the home and also to the Thelma Gibson Primary School two state-of-the-art eno-active boards that will go a long way to promote and assist the advancement of the learning process of the dear children of the school.
Even as I speak, a computer lab is being established for the children of Elizabeth as a result of the contribution of the government made to each constituency.
Mr Speaker, during my tenure in this House, I have come to love the years of door-to-door campaigning, the greetings and discussions with the beautiful people of Elizabeth - I shall surely miss this wonderful and rewarding experience.
The people of Elizabeth over the years have shown me the warmth and love that is crucial for survival in the type of politics that I had to deal with from those who wished me ill.
I can attest to this by drawing your attention to the events leading up to the 2007 election.
Mr Speaker, if one ever doubted that there is a God above...I can testify that there is -- I am living example of this -- and God is good. Whom God bless, no man can curse. In the 2007 general election -- despite what has been said I was fighting two formidable giants.
Not only did I have to deal with the formidable, well organised, well-equipped political genius of the then opposition leader...regardless to what you have heard and will hear in the future, I was exposed to the forces of my own party.
The only thing I had was my personal ambition and a determination to conquer both forces -- and like the Biblical shepherd boy David -- the Almighty God stood by my side and gave me victory. Praise be to God!
Mr Speaker, despite all of this I took it like a man -- never wavering, but kept my focus. I must confess however, sir, that it has not been easy. It has been even more difficult for my family. And as they say, sir...enough is enough!
Mr Speaker, immediately after the recent election, I met with my family and close political friends. Together, it was agreed that I should allow time to pass to see whether there would be any improvement in my relationship with the leadership. It was felt that after a two year period of mid-term would be a reasonable point to assess my political future. It would be a good time for me to know the position and notify the people of Elizabeth whether I would be seeking a third term in office.
Mr Speaker, the decision I make today, no doubt, is one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made. The fact of the matter, sir, is that my love for politics does not matter. It is not about me. In life, we are mere vehicles that God sometimes uses to achieve worthwhile objectives.
What is important -- is that the people of Elizabeth deserve better...much better. I decided that this constant and perpetual undermining of the duly elected Member of Parliament in total disregard and blatant disrespect of the will of the people of Elizabeth....this contrived and calculated creation of confusion in Elizabeth had to stop and that the time to address them is now.
Mr Speaker, which other constituency held by the official opposition after the 2007 election other than Kennedy and Elizabeth were there persons being actively encouraged to campaign against us with a view to becoming the parties candidate in the 2012 election, brazenly knocking on doors, even dispensing T-shirts, groceries, even handing out Mother's Day gifts and cards, indicating to constituents that they were the party's choice for 2012.
Mr Speaker, we are now in mid-term. I am on time. I have reviewed the period from May 2007 to December 2009...a period of two and a half years. Nothing has changed. In fact, it has worsened. The point is, sir, that there is still too many issues that separate the leadership of the party and I.
The record will show that my future as a member of the Progressive Liberal Party has always been dim. Time would not have allowed me to believe that there would have been a new day...a change of attitudes, a change of good will for all concerned.
I simply cannot bury my head in the sand, like the proverbial ostrich and pretend that all is well. The people of Elizabeth need as their representative, someone who has the full support of the party which he represents.
The leadership of the party at its recent convention was given an almost unanimous vote of confidence by the membership...I know what it is like to be subject to that leadership. I have had it for seven and a half years. I have always expressed my deep concern about the lack of vision of the leadership and that has not changed. The reality is, sir, that the people have spoken and I have to respect their voice.
Accordingly, sir, it has been said that when a member of an organisation finds that he cannot support its leadership -- then the honourable thing for that member to do is resign. So, after many months, days and nights of painful deliberations, I found that I had no other choice than to tender my official resignation to the chairman of the party effective January 1st, 2010.
The Progressive Liberal Party is a party that has the distinction of being built by the blood, sweat and tears of hardworking men and women of humble beginnings but proud of their commitment to uplift the well-being and standard of the people.
Men and women like my late parents, Malcolm Adderley, Sr and Elaine Adderley, like so many of their era, played a significant role in bringing the Progressive Liberal Party to its zenith and made it the most powerful force in our great Bahamaland. Regrettably, if they were alive today their hearts and souls would ache to see the state of the party today as a result of the venom and ill will that is displayed almost on a daily basis on any member who tries to correct its ills.
Mr Speaker, as I said before, politics is not about one individual. It is about what is in the best interest of the people that we serve. As a result, there is no benefit to the people of Elizabeth for me to sit in this house as the independent member for Elizabeth.
Mr Speaker, issues have been raised as to my loyalty because of the position I have taken. In order to remove all doubts as to who the wonderful people of Elizabeth want to represent them...I have decided to remove myself from the political stage and allow the people of Elizabeth in their wisdom to decide who they would wish to be their spokesman.
And so, sir, with the greatest respect and humility, I hearby tender my resignation to this honourable house as the Member of Parliament for the Elizabeth constituency effective at 5.30pm today.
Mr Speaker, I thank the officers and members of the Progressive Liberal Party for having allowed me to carry the banner of the party in the last two general elections.
I thank the staff of the Honourable House for their support, goodwill and professionalism displayed towards me during my tenure as the Member of Parliament.
I thank all of my colleagues in this Honourable House and wish you well in your future endeavours. Let me assure each and every one of you that I hold no animosity whatsoever.
To all those beautiful, loyal, decent, loving people of the great constituency of Elizabeth -- who despite all -- has shown me love and supported me through thick and thin, especially Marsha Curry, Cynthia Cox, Verona Woodside, Elizabeth Collie, Lillymae Thompson, John "Commander" Higgs, Annamae Forbes, Mrs Cash, Cindy Moss, Keisha Rodgers, Sidney Strachan and many many more. I extended my heartfelt thanks and will forever be indebted to you. You stood by me through all the storms and sheltered me from harm. I love you all and may God continue to bless you.
To William "Bill" Wallace who played an integral role in my election of 2002; to Donna Smith, who unselfishly joined our historical team in my election of 2007 and played an integral part in it, I extend my sincere gratitude.
To Calvin Davis, who from the election of 2002 to now, has stood by my side -- whose support I find impossible to quantify, I express my eternal gratitude.
Mr Prime Minister! My gratitude to you, sir! for your statesmanship in rising above petty politics in allowing me to continue to serve the people of the Bahamas as Chairman of the Gaming Board under your watch for the past two and a half years. This is a position I thoroughly enjoyed as it allowed me to serve the Bahamian people in a small, but meaningful way.
To my fellow directors, the officers and employees of the gaming board, I thank you for your support, it has been truly a worthwhile experience.
To my wife, Daphne, and our five children (who are present in the House today) -- Eamon, Engedi, Evan, Misty and Mia -- you are my strength, my inspiration and my gift from God -- I love you all.
Finally, Mr Speaker!
As I leave these honourable chambers I am pleased to see that the landscape of Bahamian politics is changing. For I am happy to say -- for the better.
The young people of Elizabeth and other constituencies can no longer be persuaded by bully tactics and ghetto politics. Sir, they demand and deserve better Mr Speaker. A new day is dawning for the wonderful people of the Bahamas. One in which the guideline is integrity and honesty.
I pray, Mr Speaker, that God will give me the strength and the wisdom to continue to serve the people of the Bahamas in any other capacity with integrity and character as I have tried to serve the wonderful people of Elizabeth -- as their duly elected Member of Parliament for the past seven and a half years.
May God Bless you all.
May God Bless this Honourable House
And May God Bless the people of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Thank you and God speed."
Malcolm E Adderley, Jr
Resignation address
January 6, 2010.
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Malcolm Adderley blasts the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)
Former PLP Elizabeth MP - Malcolm Adderley said he reached his breaking point with the PLP, which prompted him to resign from the Progressive Liberal Party and House of Assembly after he endured years of "insults" and outright disrespect by his own PLP party members
By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
Former Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley said yesterday he reached his breaking point, which prompted him to resign from the Progressive Liberal Party and House of Assembly after he endured years of "insults" and outright disrespect by his own party members.
Adderley, who spoke in the House of Assembly for a final time, said after seven and a half years under the PLP's leadership, he came to the "painful" conclusion that "enough is enough".
"I decided that this constant and perpetual undermining of the duly-elected member of Parliament in total disregard and blatant disrespect of the will of the people of Elizabeth... this contrived and calculated creation of confusion in Elizabeth had to stop and that the time to address them is now," Adderley said.
"Mr. Speaker, which other constituency held by the official opposition after the 2007 election other than Kennedy and Elizabeth were there persons being actively encouraged to campaign against us with a view to becoming the party's candidate in the 2012 election — brazenly knocking on doors, even dispensing T-shirts, groceries, even handing out Mother's Day gifts and cards, indicating to constituents that they were the party's choice for 2012?"
Adderley is the second PLP MP to resign from the party after the 2007 general election. Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson crossed the floor two years ago and harshly criticized PLP leader Perry Christie.
Adderley denied that his resignation had anything to do with injured pride. It had been rumored that he had been harboring ill feelings towards the leadership of the PLP after Christie failed to appoint him to the Cabinet when the PLP was in power.
Adderley said he did not base his decision on that.
"So to trivialize this matter by saying that this is about my not been given a Cabinet seat is frightening because it shows a mentality that is totally out of touch with reality. The Cabinet was chosen in 2002. This is now 2010. Why would I stay for seven and a half years afterwards if in fact I was puffed up over not being in Mr. Christie's Cabinet?" he asked.
Turning to the issue of his loyalty and whether he had joined with the Free National Movement, Adderley said, "In order to remove all doubts as to who the wonderful people of Elizabeth want to represent them, I have decided to remove myself from the political stage and allow the people of Elizabeth in their wisdom to decide who they would wish to be their spokesman."
Adderley's resignation from the House became effective at 5:30 p.m. yesterday, and set in motion a process that will lead to a by-election which is expected to be held next month.
Adderley said since his election in 2002, his relationship with the party's leadership has been strained and has steadily worsened through the years.
"From then to now has been the worst personal experience that my family and I have ever faced. I took the insults, the disrespect, the negative gossip, the careful and calculated undermining that was the hallmark of my political journey. But through it all, I took the blows, never flinching."
Adderley also said for years he was forced to fight two sources.
"Not only did I have to deal with the formidable, well organized, well equipped political genius of the then opposition leader (Hubert Ingraham), regardless to what you have heard and will hear in the future, I was exposed to the forces of my own party."
He said he does not enjoy the support of the leadership of the party, adding that it would be unfair to the constituents that he represented to continue on in the way that he was.
"The leadership of the party at its recent convention was given an almost unanimous vote of confidence by the membership," Adderley said. "I know what it is like to be subject to that leadership. I have had it for seven and a half years. I have always expressed my deep concern about the lack of vision of the leadership and that has not changed."
He said he cannot support the leadership of the party and therefore did the "honorable thing" by tendering his resignation.
"So after many months, days and nights of painful deliberations, I found that I had no other choice than to tender my official resignation to the chairman of the party."
Following the 2007 election, Adderley continued to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board. At 64, he is expected to become a Supreme Court justice.
There is speculation that Dr. Duane Sands will be the FNM's candidate for the Elizabeth constituency by-election, but the party has made no announcements in this regard.
It is still unclear whether the PLP will run anyone in the seat, but party chairman Bradley Roberts said several people, including attorneys Ryan Pinder and Craig Butler, have expressed an interest in running on the PLP's ticket.
January 7, 2010
thenassauguardian
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
THE Progressive Liberal Party's (PLP's) cash fears over by-election
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
THE Progressive Liberal Party is weighing its options as to whether it will put up a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election, sources within the party have confirmed to The Tribune.
Currently the party is faced with a dilemma because the FNM has essentially taken a lead in the area having had representatives from its party on the ground for the past three weeks.
As for campaigning, the PLP is concerned that it has to find at least half a million dollars to put up a formidable challenge to the FNM's machinery in the area.
According to sources within the PLP, the party has containers that are still filled with PLP T-shirts and other election paraphernalia, but the actual funding of a by-election campaign will be difficult to find at such short notice.
Additionally, if these monies could be found, the party is faced with the reality that even if it were to win the by-election it would not change the balance of power in the House of Assembly as the PLP would still be in Opposition. In effect it would have essentially "wasted" $500,000 that could be used for the 2012 general elections.
While all of these issues are reportedly being discussed at the highest levels within the party, there is also a growing concern amongst some PLP Members of Parliament about what the perception would be if the party were not to run a candidate in the area.
"We need to have a representative in the area, anybody, so we can show the people that we care about them, and that we want to represent them in the House of Assembly. Now how do we do this? We could run a Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler in there, but elections cost money, and when you are up against the FNM and all of its machinery it is very difficult to win this one seat. So what do you do?" the source asked.
Today the PLP's former Member of Parliament Malcolm Adderley is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly, causing the first by-election in at least a decade. In his departing speech, Mr Adderley is expected to take aim at his former party leader, Perry Christie. It is not known at this time what Mr Christie's response will be, but sources close to the leader claim that Mr Christie is "more than ready" to answer Mr Adderley "blow-for-blow."
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
THE Progressive Liberal Party is weighing its options as to whether it will put up a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election, sources within the party have confirmed to The Tribune.
Currently the party is faced with a dilemma because the FNM has essentially taken a lead in the area having had representatives from its party on the ground for the past three weeks.
As for campaigning, the PLP is concerned that it has to find at least half a million dollars to put up a formidable challenge to the FNM's machinery in the area.
According to sources within the PLP, the party has containers that are still filled with PLP T-shirts and other election paraphernalia, but the actual funding of a by-election campaign will be difficult to find at such short notice.
Additionally, if these monies could be found, the party is faced with the reality that even if it were to win the by-election it would not change the balance of power in the House of Assembly as the PLP would still be in Opposition. In effect it would have essentially "wasted" $500,000 that could be used for the 2012 general elections.
While all of these issues are reportedly being discussed at the highest levels within the party, there is also a growing concern amongst some PLP Members of Parliament about what the perception would be if the party were not to run a candidate in the area.
"We need to have a representative in the area, anybody, so we can show the people that we care about them, and that we want to represent them in the House of Assembly. Now how do we do this? We could run a Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler in there, but elections cost money, and when you are up against the FNM and all of its machinery it is very difficult to win this one seat. So what do you do?" the source asked.
Today the PLP's former Member of Parliament Malcolm Adderley is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly, causing the first by-election in at least a decade. In his departing speech, Mr Adderley is expected to take aim at his former party leader, Perry Christie. It is not known at this time what Mr Christie's response will be, but sources close to the leader claim that Mr Christie is "more than ready" to answer Mr Adderley "blow-for-blow."
tribune242
Official Opposition Leader Perry Christie: offering Adderley judge post would undermine democracy
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
IF THE Government offered Malcolm Adderley a post as a Supreme Court judge in exchange for his seat in Elizabeth it would "undermine" Bahamian democracy, charged Opposition Leader Perry Christie.
The former prime minister argued that judicial appointments are "one of the most sacred appointments" that defines constitutional democracy and claimed that such a move would be political "manipulation" of the judicial system.
"I happen to believe (if) that is played out tomorrow and the next several days in our country then I believe it is the most damning indictment of our system of government where this manipulation can take place and it means that you have an in depth manipulation going on that has truly, I think, undermined the democracy that we live in," Mr Christie said, when he called to weigh in on Love 97 FM's talk show Issues of the Day.
His comments came after speculation in some quarters that Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, which would set the stage for a by-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
In the statement released Monday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP adding that it did not know the reasons behind the decision.
The FNM also alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him."
Over the holiday weekend Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010. Mr Adderley is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets today.
January 06, 2010
tribune242
Free National Movement (FNM) chairman Carl Bethel rejects government manipulation claims in Malcolm Adderley's expected appointment
BY STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk:
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
PLP by-election win 'would be indicator of party's strength and support'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A PLP win in a likely by-election in the Elizabeth constituency would prove a good indicator of the party's strength and support with the voting public, it was claimed last night.
Attorney Philip Galanis, a former PLP senator, believes that in order to nab a possible by-election victory, the party must quickly determine the best possible candidate to outweigh the heavy resources the FNM will pour behind its prospective hopeful.
So far those who have expressed an interested for the Elizabeth nomination include attorneys Ryan Pinder, Craig Butler and Ken Dorsett.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010, and is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets tomorrow.
It would set the stage for a hotly-contested by-election in Elizabeth, which PLP chairman Bradley Roberts estimates would cost the public purse upwards of $1 million.
"I think it would be a very good indicator of how strong the party is and would be a referendum, an indication by some, of what the people of the country feel about the performance of the Ingraham administration," Mr Galanis said.
"The party needs to really caucus with a view to determine who the best candidate is to contest the election, if one is called. It needs to impose some stringent policies to selecting its candidate and most importantly it needs to impress upon its stand bearers that that is all they are, any seat they might win in Parliament does not belong to them and their representation is a privilege, not a right."
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party has not officially selected a replacement for Mr Adderley reasoning that he has yet to resign from the House, thus leaving a vacancy in the Elizabeth seat, an area with a long history of voting for the PLP.
"We only found out on the weekend that Malcolm was going to resign from the PLP. We still don't know whether Malcolm is going to resign from the House," he told The Tribune yesterday.
"Some people may be doing some solicitation (in the area) that's not unusual (but) the party doesn't have a mandate to fill any position yet."
In the statement released yesterday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP.
Although it is believed the Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, the Ingraham administration said it did not know the reasons behind the decision while taking a jab at the upper echelons of the Opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out personal determination on his part. The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP.
"However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organisation has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The statement also thanked Mr Adderley for continuing to serve as Chairman of the Gaming Board after his party lost the 2007 general election, a decision that infuriated members of his party.
Yesterday, the FNM alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him.
"We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
Mr Adderley's move came after months of speculation about his strained relations with the PLP and party leader Perry Christie. Mr Adderley has reportedly long been at odds with his party and has been inactive in the party's Parliamentary caucus.
Mr Christie's decision not to expel Mr Adderley from the PLP long ago has garnered harsh criticism from observers, even former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby who accused the party leader "of being asleep at the wheel."
January 05, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A PLP win in a likely by-election in the Elizabeth constituency would prove a good indicator of the party's strength and support with the voting public, it was claimed last night.
Attorney Philip Galanis, a former PLP senator, believes that in order to nab a possible by-election victory, the party must quickly determine the best possible candidate to outweigh the heavy resources the FNM will pour behind its prospective hopeful.
So far those who have expressed an interested for the Elizabeth nomination include attorneys Ryan Pinder, Craig Butler and Ken Dorsett.
Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley quit the PLP with effect from January 1, 2010, and is expected to resign from his seat in the House of Assembly when Parliament meets tomorrow.
It would set the stage for a hotly-contested by-election in Elizabeth, which PLP chairman Bradley Roberts estimates would cost the public purse upwards of $1 million.
"I think it would be a very good indicator of how strong the party is and would be a referendum, an indication by some, of what the people of the country feel about the performance of the Ingraham administration," Mr Galanis said.
"The party needs to really caucus with a view to determine who the best candidate is to contest the election, if one is called. It needs to impose some stringent policies to selecting its candidate and most importantly it needs to impress upon its stand bearers that that is all they are, any seat they might win in Parliament does not belong to them and their representation is a privilege, not a right."
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party has not officially selected a replacement for Mr Adderley reasoning that he has yet to resign from the House, thus leaving a vacancy in the Elizabeth seat, an area with a long history of voting for the PLP.
"We only found out on the weekend that Malcolm was going to resign from the PLP. We still don't know whether Malcolm is going to resign from the House," he told The Tribune yesterday.
"Some people may be doing some solicitation (in the area) that's not unusual (but) the party doesn't have a mandate to fill any position yet."
In the statement released yesterday, the FNM said it respects Mr Adderley's "personal decision" to cut political ties with the PLP.
Although it is believed the Government wooed Mr Adderley to give up his seat with promises of a plum job as a judge, the Ingraham administration said it did not know the reasons behind the decision while taking a jab at the upper echelons of the Opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out personal determination on his part. The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr Adderley's resignation from the PLP.
"However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organisation has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The statement also thanked Mr Adderley for continuing to serve as Chairman of the Gaming Board after his party lost the 2007 general election, a decision that infuriated members of his party.
Yesterday, the FNM alluded to Mr Adderley's reported interested in joining the judiciary but did not confirm whether he has been offered or accepted the job.
"We understand that Mr Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve. If that is so, we highly commend him.
"We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
Mr Adderley's move came after months of speculation about his strained relations with the PLP and party leader Perry Christie. Mr Adderley has reportedly long been at odds with his party and has been inactive in the party's Parliamentary caucus.
Mr Christie's decision not to expel Mr Adderley from the PLP long ago has garnered harsh criticism from observers, even former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby who accused the party leader "of being asleep at the wheel."
January 05, 2010
tribune242
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Bradley Roberts predicts money will determine Elizabeth by-election victor
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
Whether the Progressive Liberal Party will run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election is a matter the party will decide at a later date, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday, adding that the party does not now have a great deal of funds to invest in such a process.
The by-election will come as a result of the resignation of current MP Malcolm Adderley from the House of Assembly. Adderley also resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party on Saturday.
"We have a process in our party that we will be obliged to follow and in going through that process, a determination will be made and recommendations will be brought to the National General Council of the party who will make the final determination," he said.
Despite reports from party insiders, Roberts also said he was not aware of any plan that was afoot to expel Adderley from the party.
Some political pundits have described Adderley's resignation on Saturday as a preemptive strike. According to party insiders, the PLP was getting ready to expel him.
Roberts said yesterday, "If that is so, I have no knowledge of that whatsoever. Nothing has come to my attention in that regard. Some remarks I made recently may have caused the matter to come to a head."
Last week, the PLP chairman predicted that the matter would reach conclusion soon.
Asked if he is confident the party would win the seat should it contest it, Roberts said yesterday, "Personally, Bradley Roberts is a very optimistic person and at this time in the history of our Bahamas with the economy being in the state that it is in, the amount of suffering that has been going on, it is not an unknown quantity that there are things that take place that the Free National Movement are experts at doing and that will obviously play a very, very strong and influential part in the outcome of the election. In other words, people generally vote nowadays in the interest of their bellies as opposed to the interest of what is true and what is right.
"It means then, in my opinion, that the outcome will be determined by who invests the greatest amount of funds in the process."
Following the 2007 general election, PLP leader Perry Christie said one of the main reasons the Free National Movement won was that it outspent the Progressive Liberal Party. It is widely known that the PLP emerged from that election financially strapped.
Roberts said yesterday that several PLPs — including attorneys Ryan Pinder and Craig Butler — have expressed an interest in running on the party's ticket in Elizabeth.
Adderley, a former acting Supreme Court justice, is expected to become a judge following his departure from the House. His resignation takes effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
Asked why the PLP leadership did not take action against Adderley, Roberts said that is a question that would have to be asked of the chairman who served before him.
He said since he has been chairman, "We've had other things that we've been preoccupied with and Malcolm was certainly not a priority in this chairman's estimation. I had personally written off Malcolm Adderley a long time ago."
In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM said it respects the personal decision made by Adderley to sever his political affiliation with the opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out, personal determination on his part," the statement said.
"The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr. Adderley's resignation from the PLP. However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr. Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organization has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The party also thanked Adderley for agreeing to continue to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board after the 2007 general elections.
"We understand that Mr. Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve," the statement said. "If that is so, we highly commend him. We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
thenassauguardian
Whether the Progressive Liberal Party will run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election is a matter the party will decide at a later date, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday, adding that the party does not now have a great deal of funds to invest in such a process.
The by-election will come as a result of the resignation of current MP Malcolm Adderley from the House of Assembly. Adderley also resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party on Saturday.
"We have a process in our party that we will be obliged to follow and in going through that process, a determination will be made and recommendations will be brought to the National General Council of the party who will make the final determination," he said.
Despite reports from party insiders, Roberts also said he was not aware of any plan that was afoot to expel Adderley from the party.
Some political pundits have described Adderley's resignation on Saturday as a preemptive strike. According to party insiders, the PLP was getting ready to expel him.
Roberts said yesterday, "If that is so, I have no knowledge of that whatsoever. Nothing has come to my attention in that regard. Some remarks I made recently may have caused the matter to come to a head."
Last week, the PLP chairman predicted that the matter would reach conclusion soon.
Asked if he is confident the party would win the seat should it contest it, Roberts said yesterday, "Personally, Bradley Roberts is a very optimistic person and at this time in the history of our Bahamas with the economy being in the state that it is in, the amount of suffering that has been going on, it is not an unknown quantity that there are things that take place that the Free National Movement are experts at doing and that will obviously play a very, very strong and influential part in the outcome of the election. In other words, people generally vote nowadays in the interest of their bellies as opposed to the interest of what is true and what is right.
"It means then, in my opinion, that the outcome will be determined by who invests the greatest amount of funds in the process."
Following the 2007 general election, PLP leader Perry Christie said one of the main reasons the Free National Movement won was that it outspent the Progressive Liberal Party. It is widely known that the PLP emerged from that election financially strapped.
Roberts said yesterday that several PLPs — including attorneys Ryan Pinder and Craig Butler — have expressed an interest in running on the party's ticket in Elizabeth.
Adderley, a former acting Supreme Court justice, is expected to become a judge following his departure from the House. His resignation takes effect at the end of the day on Wednesday.
Asked why the PLP leadership did not take action against Adderley, Roberts said that is a question that would have to be asked of the chairman who served before him.
He said since he has been chairman, "We've had other things that we've been preoccupied with and Malcolm was certainly not a priority in this chairman's estimation. I had personally written off Malcolm Adderley a long time ago."
In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM said it respects the personal decision made by Adderley to sever his political affiliation with the opposition.
"Such a decision is not lightly made and obviously must reflect a deeply thought-out, personal determination on his part," the statement said.
"The Free National Movement does not have the benefit of knowing the inmost reasons behind Mr. Adderley's resignation from the PLP. However, one has only to read and consider the vilification and bile which was spewed in the hysterical PLP press response to venture a guess as to why Mr. Adderley, and perhaps others, may no longer want to be associated with what that organization has become under the leadership of Perry Christie and Bradley Roberts."
The party also thanked Adderley for agreeing to continue to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board after the 2007 general elections.
"We understand that Mr. Adderley is willing to continue in the service of his country as a justice of the Supreme Court, a position for which he is well qualified, especially at a time when there is urgent need for qualified Bahamian judges willing to serve," the statement said. "If that is so, we highly commend him. We note that he has previously served in this position in an acting capacity while his political persuasion was well known."
thenassauguardian
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)