By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
PLP Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis yesterday claimed the appointment of political figures to the judicial bench by the Prime Minister is undermining the fight against crime.
Essentially accusing Hubert Ingraham of master-minding the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and politics this week, Mr Davis accused Mr Ingraham of playing political games with the country when there are more pressing matters like crime and unemployment that he should be addressing and called on Elizabeth constituents to use the upcoming by-election to "send a message" to the Prime Minister and the FNM that "enough is enough."
Mr Davis said: "Hubert Ingraham just this week spoke about new crime fighting initiatives. We need a new direction. Yet the man talking one thing and doing another! In order for the fight against crime to be effective there must be a well oiled, functioning and Independent judiciary! Since returning to power Hubert Ingraham has engaged in the most blatant politicisation of the judiciary!
"In the last 12 months he seen to it that at least two judges appointed to sit on the Bench of the Supreme Court came directly out of the belly of the FNM. At the same time he has done all in his power to rid the courts of any judge who he even dreams may have voted PLP at least once before!
"We have judge after judge after judge who due to political affiliation has to excuse themselves from hearing certain cases. How does this address the back log in our courts? It doesn't!" said Mr Davis.
Mr Davis made his charge as he addressed a PLP Rally at Doris Johnson High School in the Elizabeth constituency in the wake of Malcolm Adderley's resignation from the PLP and as MP for the area.
Speaking as he announced his resignation as the Elizabeth MP on Tuesday in parliament, Mr Adderley blamed his decision on his deteriorating relationship with PLP party leader, Perry Christie, throughout his seven and a half years as an MP.
He suggested Mr Christie's poor leadership and behind-the-scenes efforts to undermine him as a representative had left him with the belief that Elizabeth constituents "deserve better." Mr Adderley is rumoured to soon be set to take up an appointment as a Supreme Court judge, on the recommendation of Mr Ingraham.
Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP, Mr Davis, proposed that the move was orchestrated to look like it was about dissatisfaction with PLP leader Perry Christie when in fact it is an attempt to get Bahamians to "forget the misery they are experiencing daily" under his government's leadership
Mr Davis charged that it is irresponsible to precipitate a costly by-election when government revenue is down and people are suffering in bad economic times.
"People are hungry! Lights are off! Some of our schools are like war zones! People are in pain! And yet this Government can only find money when it is time to play political games and pursue selfish agendas!" said Mr Davis.
"They think you are blind! They think that you cannot see what they are doing! They think you cannot see the games!" he added.
While the PLP has yet to announce who its candidate will be in the by-election, or to specifically confirm if it will nominate a candidate to contest the seat under its party's banner, Mr Davis told those at the meeting that the party is "ready".
"Stand strong and brave with the Progressive Liberal Party!" he added.
Mr Davis told The Tribune on Thursday that he firmly believes the party should contest the seat, although other senior party members are said to be unsure.
No date has yet been publicly announced for the election to take place however it is expected to occur sometime in February.
The Bahamas Democratic Party is the only political party to so far officially declare that it will be contesting the seat, with party president Cassius Stuart the intended torchbearer. President of the Bahamas Medical Council Dr Duane Sands is rumoured to be the FNM's preferred candidate for the area, although this has not been confirmed.
January 09, 2010
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