Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's announcement that he planned to remain at the helm of the FNM, and fight the next election was indeed welcome news

Prime Minister Ingraham – we shall carry on
tribune242 editorial


PRIME MINISTER Hubert Ingraham's announcement over the weekend that he planned to remain at the helm of the FNM, and fight the next election was indeed welcome news.

Welcome news because the whole future of this country hangs in the balance and cannot at this point in its development be entrusted to inexperienced leadership.

Instead of jockeying for lofty positions within the party, FNM MP's have a duty to put their personal aspirations aside and concentrate on what the people sent them to parliament for -- and for which they are being paid. They have a duty to protect the interests of their constituents and at the same time to learn the workings of government. This is no job for political neophytes.

It has always baffled us that the only field that requires no special training is that of the politician. And yet it is the politician -- especially the uneducated ones -- who presume to make so many important decisions for a nation. They are usually the ones making the most noise and jumping to their feet talking bombastic nonsense to catch the attention of their grassroots base.

There are reports that there has been much political jostling behind the scenes in both parties about the future of their leaders. Aspirants are upsetting daily business as they campaign for positions. In the PLP Mr Christie has made it clear that he will lead his party in the 2012 election. However, he has left the door ajar suggesting that he might not serve out a full term if elected, but would step aside for his successor. Fortunately, Mr Ingraham has stated his position clearly -- as is his custom -- saying that he will not only carry on, but if elected will take his job to full term. This will leave his party free to concentrate on the people -- if elected -- for another five years past 2012. And this is what the country needs at this critical time in its history -- government without distractions.

As a matter of fact, the PLP seem not to have accepted their 2007 defeat at the polls, but have continued their electioneering almost on a daily basis. With problems more pressing -- jobs, crime, an uncertain future -- Bahamians are growing tired of their pin-pricks.

Why, for example, would Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, who had much to say on the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, especially about the Baha Mar deal, go out of his way to try to make the Bahamian people believe that Mr Ingraham had had no meeting with the Chinese Prime Minister while in China?

Mr Mitchell - one MP who knows his way around the web - should have known that on November 1, the same photograph that is published on today's front page with Mr Ingraham and Premier Wen Jiabao shaking hands was also on the web -- and is still on the web. With the photograph is a short article that said that "Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao met with his Bahamian counterpart, Hubert Ingraham on Sunday (Oct. 31)." And the article continued: "Hailing the sound political foundation of their bilateral relations, Wen said China would like to help the Bahamas improve its ability for self-development and deepen cooperation in infrastructure, finance, tourism, agriculture and new energy, among others. The Chinese Premier also called for both sides to step up cultural exchanges and safeguard common interests in addressing climate change and other challenges." There was more to the article of what Mr Ingraham said, but this is sufficient to prove that when Mr Mitchell told the Bahamian people that the two did not meet, he was telling a great big whopper! And to confirm the authenticity of the meeting- if more confirmation is needed - the photo and article were released by China's Xinhua news agency.

Mr Mitchell should remember that when you are caught out in the small ones, no one believes you when you tell the truth on the big ones. And for good measure we suggest that he recall the story of the boy who cried wolf once too often. It's a children's story, the moral of the tale being that what happened to the boy is what "happens to people who lie: even when they tell the truth no one believes them."

It is a little moral tale for children that we suggest every politician should keep in his hip pocket for reference -- especially when he gets carried away on the political podium.

As we were writing this article on Mr Ingraham being the right man with the experience, contacts and so much unfinished business yet to complete for the country that we were pleased he had decided to carry on as party leader, the release arrived in our newsroom about Mr Mitchell's false statement (see front page). It was a temptation that we couldn't resist and so we detoured from our subject and fell for the distraction.

November 16, 2010

tribune242 editorial

Bahamas Blog International

New PLP Senator Chosen to Replace Edison Key

Edison Key, who resigned from the upper chamber months ago - criticized Prime Minister Perry Christie for "poor leadership" and "lack of direction." 

PM Chooses New Senator

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

03/05/2004

 

 

Prime Minister Perry Christie says he has chosen a new senator to replace Edison Key, who resigned from the upper chamber months ago, criticizing the nation's leader for "poor leadership" and "lack of direction."

Mr. Christie made the revelation while a guest on the Radio Love 97 Programme "Jones and Company" Sunday, on a day when the party observed the second anniversary since winning the government in 1992.

But the prime minister did not reveal his choice to fill the seat left vacant in the upper chamber.

"I've made a decision on it," said Mr. Christie, who was responding to a question asked by the show's host, Wendall Jones.  "I can assure you…the announcement will come shortly."

Mr. Key said he resigned on January 10, but the prime minister said he did not become aware of the so-called resignation until he received Mr. Key's letter more than five weeks later after the Journal made public the Abaco senator's surprising move.

Mr. Christie said he did not rush to replace Mr. Key because the former senator's absence from the senate did not create any disruptions or interruptions.

"I have the luxury of also deciding whether or not I make another major decision which will impact the development of this country with respect to the senate as well," he said, although not going into further details.

The senate has met several times since Mr. Key's resignation, dealing with several key pieces of proposed legislation.

When he spoke with the Journal in mid February about his resignation, Mr. Key said he thought the senate was useless.  But a number of his former colleagues have disagreed with him.

Opposition senators, meanwhile, including Free National Movement Leader Tommy Turnquest, have criticized Mr. Christie's delay in appointing a senator.  Mr. Turnquest said the delay was indicative of the way the Christie Administration operates.

On Sunday, Mr. Christie said, "Please forgive me. I take full responsibility for the delay."

The welfare and betterment of The Bahamas remain my obsession - my only obsession, says former Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham

Will Hubert Ingraham return?

WHEN INGRAHAM SPEAKS PEOPLE LISTEN

STRAIGHT UP TALK

APRIL 29^TH, 2004

“I conclude by saying that notwithstanding my hiatus from active politics, I have no less interest nor concern for Freeport, Grand Bahama, for Abaco, New Providence or any other island in our country, than I did when I was in office as Prime Minister.  The welfare and betterment of The Bahamas remains my obsession, my only obsession.  And so I say, so long as those who are in, advance The Bahamas and all its people, people like me, who are out, will be comfortable with our station in life.  I say no more today.”

With those few parting words during his remarks at the recent Grand Bahama Association of Administrative Professionals, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham ignited debate about a possible return to the leadership of the FNM.  Indeed, one of the most intriguing questions in this country today is: Will Ingraham return?

Like him or not, Mr. Ingraham’s political presence in our society is undeniable.  Perhaps only Sir Lynden commanded a more imposing presence.  The Right Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham is a gifted leader and an astute politician.  Creating intrigue about himself comes easy.  What he wanted to say in Freeport he said and what he wanted to achieve he achieved.  He wanted people to hear what he said and they did.  He knew people would talk about what he said and they are.  There are many politicians in our country, high and low, who covet such a skill.

Some leaders are merely shooting the breeze, hoping that someone would help them deliver.  That has not been true of Hubert Ingraham, he was a doer, an achiever.  He not only “says what he means and means what he said”, he knows what he wants to achieve and focuses on getting it done.  This is a rare quality in Bahamian political leaders these days.

Asked about Mr. Ingraham’s remarks, Sen. The Hon. Tommy Turnquest, leader of the FNM, said that he was comfortable with Mr. Ingraham as his predecessor, a sitting MP and a retired Prime Minister.  Interesting!  This much is certain, Sen. Turnquest ought to have no worries about anyone contesting for his position in the party; indeed he should expect and welcome it.  Only a stagnant organization lacks multiple contenders for its top post.

Additionally, Sen. Turnquest, as he rightly pointed out, must remain focused on his agenda, which is to imbue the confidence of those he leads and those he seeks to lead.  Succeed or fail at this, he has no other charge.  In the end, the arbiters of his faith will not be his contenders but those to whom he makes his case for leadership.

Interestingly, Prime Minister The Right Hon. Perry Christie has not commented on Mr. Ingraham’s remarks on this occasion as he did on the last occasion Mr. Ingraham spoke in Freeport.  Perhaps the PM wants to let sleeping dogs lie.

Don’t be mistaken, however, PM Christie hears every word Mr. Ingraham says publicly - perhaps even some of what he says privately.  And he takes them all seriously!  The message to PM Christie from Mr. Ingraham was clear, “Be productive and work for all the people and I will have no motivation to come after you.”  For a competent leader, this would be a small challenge.  However, given Mr. Christie’s performance to date, as assessed by many Bahamians, Mr. Ingraham might just be brushing off his political hat for an imminent return.

Frankly, this columnist does not believe that Mr. Ingraham wants to return to leadership.  However, if the circumstances are mitigating enough he could be persuaded to do so.  Who should worry about this?  Not anyone with true leadership ability because if they cannot persuade others to choose them above Mr. Ingraham, they may not be the best person to lead.  After all the leader is the one people choose to follow and not the one they have to follow because there is no one else.

Are there other people in this nation, in the FNM capable of leading, as Mr. Ingraham did?  Yes.  However, they must make that case to the people who matter, even if they must do so in a head on contest with Mr. Ingraham.  Indeed a competitive but respectful bid for leadership between strong contenders breeds life into an organization and energizes its people.  Perhaps leaders in The Bahamas have become too accustomed to coronations.

It is no wonder that so many of them come to expect, yea even demand unbridled submission to their will.  Leaders should contend for and continue to justify their leadership.  This challenges them to be productive and accountable, both necessary for effective service to people.

WHEN THE PM IS FRUSTRATED HE INSULTS HIS PEOPLE

I would not refer to the Prime Minister as a silly man.  That would be rude and arrogant.  By the same token, Prime Minister Christie should not refer to his people or their thoughts as “silly”, whether he accepts them as legitimate or not.  Frankly, PM Christie’s remarks in this regard seem rather arrogant.  Either this or they are a sign of immense frustration, perhaps even overwhelming pressure.

The Christie administration is not a “do nothing government”.  Rather, it is more of a do nothing new, fresh, impacting or promised government.  And, it is a do things that are unflattering for a government to do, such as renting foreign bleachers for Junkanoo, allowing Korean Boats to enter the country under scandalous circumstances, so mistreating one of its own senior senators that he was forced to resign and leave the party, allowing a cabinet minister to rent from a government agency under a charge of conflict of interest, producing embarrassment for the country with the poor handling of the Haitian crisis situation, allowing a shameful feud at BAIC involving senior members of the government, allowing a sitting MP to come into utter disrepute through a declaration of bankruptcy by the courts, causing a major investor to pull out of a proposal due to indecisiveness, and the list goes on.

It must be terribly frustrating for the Prime Minister to have promised the world to Bahamians and to deliver, if anything, a village, at least as far as many Bahamians are concerned.  It must be even more frustrating that his supporters are criticizing him as harshly as his detractors.  If he were wise, PM Christie would avoid being defensive and insulting, referring to his own people as “silly” and their concerns as “silly distractions”.  If he were wise, he would listen and make prudent changes in the way he does things.  After all, the final arbiters of his success as leader are the people.  Public relations will not help him if what he needs to do is change, especially if rather than change he resorts to denigrating those he serves and who express concerns about the way he is serving.  This is a sign of weak leadership.

The fact is that the PM’s critics come in all shapes, colours, sizes, creed, ethnicities, nationalities, political persuasions and socio-economic backgrounds.  Of course, the PM knows this; this is why he and his party have launched a public relations campaign to tell people what they believe they have done.  If they thought that only opposition members were criticizing them, they would see no need to do this.  However, many PLP supporters are as adamant as persons opposite that the Christie administration has not performed up to par.  To change this, the administration must change, either change itself or be changed.  Period!