Dr Duane Sands’ resignation is unprecedented in The Bahamas parliamentary history - in significance and substance

THE MEANING OF THE DR SANDS’ AFFAIR! 

By Gilbert Morris:


This is how one should think about The Hon. Dr Duane Sands MP’s departure:

First, overall - I speak here of the public handwringing and heaving hosannas - it’s really much ado about nothing...as large numbers of Bahamians are about to starve.

Second, As a specific matter, Dr Sands’ resignation is unprecedented in our parliamentary history in significance and substance.

Third, significantly, Dr Sands breached the rules - with the assistance of other ministers - but importantly not to benefit himself or friends. That is a clear significant distinction from previous breaches where a minister would have had his lackey junglisses selling those swabs on the streets!

Dr Sands, it is clear to see was desperately singleminded in getting the swabs for the legitimate purposes. (For those who refuse to think, I hope you can see, I’m not absolving him of breaching the rules, (Aristotle said reasons for errors matter), as such I am merely pointing out that his purposes were legitimate, which has hardly ever been the case so far as I can recall).

What it means is if we are now going to enforce rules against persons with clear good intentions, then every breach of rules must be addressed throughout all of government!

Fourth, in substance, Dr Sands letter is a study in the proper way to apologise in public office. (a.) He took responsibility, (b.) then explained his state of mind, (c.) But didn’t use his state of mind as an excuse, proof of which is offering his resignation after explaining his thinking and objectives.

This constitutes an act of the finest ministerial propriety.

Finally, when a Minister acts in significance and substance as Dr Sands did though it’s hard, it’s still the prerogative of any Prime Minister to accept the resignation. The problem is it forces a “strict adherence rule” (Think of Shylock’s “pound of flesh” in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”): that means any other Minister who aided his - since we are enforcing rules with no mercy for legitimate intent - they should also be disciplined.

Moreover, we must understand how LAW IS REFLEXIVE: that means every act (Dr Sands’) and every decision (Dr Minnis’) establishes a standard that must be maintained. Dr Sands’s act and the Prime Minister’s acceptance establishes a foundation for rule-following and everything and everyone afoul of such rules rendering it frowsy with uncertainty must be dismantled, dismissed, or disciplined respectively.

So that means every police officer or civil servant on duty without a mask or any public official who breaches the rule should be disciplined, because that is the benchmark that Dr Sands’s act of grace and the Prime Minister’s acceptance establishes.

It also means any elected person with a conflict of interest or an undeclared interest or any arrangement that amounts to an untendered advantage must also be squashed!

Source

Dr. Duane Sands on modernized views on abortion ...after physicians in The Bahamas were accused of profiting from conducting illegal abortions in the country

Dr Sands Joins Call For Dialogue On Abortion

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

WOMEN should not be forced to break the law in order to exercise rights over their own body, according to Dr Duane Sands, who yesterday joined activists in their call for national dialogue on the abortion issue.

 

Dr Sands spoke to the need for modernized views on abortion after South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton accused physicians of profiting from conducting illegal abortions in the country.

 

During her contribution to the stem cell debate on Wednesday, Ms Hamilton told parliamentarians that the practice was rampant, unchecked, and lucrative.

 

Dr Sands said he felt that Ms Hamilton “sucker punched” the medical community, instead of taking a “responsible” approach and initiating national consultation on the issue.

 

He charged that the current legislative environment created an economic disparity between those who can access legal services in other jurisdictions, and those relegated to “community abortions”.

 

“This is a conversation that as a people we simply have not had in terms of a woman’s right to choose, and so we pretend that Bahamians don’t have sex, we pretend that they don’t have unprotected sex, we pretend that they don’t get pregnant, and we certainly pretend that they don’t have abortions,” said Dr Sands, admitting that his strong stance on the issue could harm his political future.

 

He said: “(Hamilton) raised a very important issue in the Bahamas and it is one of the serious issues that we need to contend with at the age of 40. In the Bahamas it is said that numbers is illegal and yet you have web shops on virtually every street corner in the inner city.”

 

The decision of whether or not a woman has the right to decide to bring a pregnancy to term is an intensely controversial, moral and legal issue in many parts of the world. While abortions are legal in the United States, some states have varying regulations.

 

A major argument against outlawing the practice is that it increases the rate of unsafe abortions, and ultimately maternal deaths.

 

In an interview with The Tribune, Bahamas Crisis Centre director Dr Sandra Patterson explained that victims of rape and incest should not have to depend on a physician’s “goodwill” or legal interpretation to terminate a resulting pregnancy.

 

Dr Patterson said: “Women should have the choice, when they don’t have the choice awful things happen like abandonment of children, and unsafe abortions. It’s time for us to be talking about that and looking into legal provisions that could provide conditions under which it would be available instead of leaving it up to a doctor’s goodwill.

 

“If you’re an incest victim,” she said, “you miss your period and you tell someone about it, if you don’t want to have that baby you shouldn’t have to do it, and you shouldn’t only be able to have it because you have money and can pay a private physician to do it.”

 

In a report submitted by the government last year to the international committee of the United Nations governing discrimination against women, it was revealed that officials are aware of cases where licensed physicians perform abortions in private and public hospitals for justifiable reasons.

 

The report stated that the code does not define what constitutes medical or surgical treatment, and in practice, the law is interpreted very liberally.

 

The report was presented in compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an international human rights treaty that focuses on women’s rights and women’s issues worldwide, ratified by the Bahamas in 1993.

 

According to a Tribune feature article on the report, the CEDAW committee expressed concerns over the government’s failure to provide statistics on state-sanctioned abortions, and called on the government to “broaden the conditions under which abortions can be legally available.”

 

Abortion is criminalised in the Bahamas through the Penal Code of 1924; however it allows “for abortions to be lawfully permitted under specific circumstances relating explicitly to the preservation of the mental and physical health of the woman and to save the life of the woman.”

 

The law also states that acts that lead to an abortion or are intended to cause an abortion that are done “in good faith and without negligence for the purposes of medical or surgical treatment” are justifiable.

 

Dr Sands said: “I’m calling for a mature national conversation on a very challenging issue that has moral and religious implications, so that we can bring our current view into the 21st century.

 

“I am not suggesting that we are going to change our approach but I think that because this is such a political hot potato that nobody wants to touch it.”

 

He added: “We as a country have been prepared to sacrifice one or more 
young women every year on the altar of ‘I’m not touching that’.”

 

Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services, could not be reached for comment as she was out of the country.

 

Requests for comment from the Bahamas Medical Council were also not returned up to press time.

 

July 19, 2013

 

Tribune 242

 

Caribbean Blog International

 

Dr Duane Sands intends to make Ryan Pinder the shortest sitting Member of Parliament in the history of The Bahamas when he defeats him in the 2012 general election

Sands has Pinder in his election sights
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net



FORMER FNM candidate for the Elizabeth constituency, Dr Duane Sands, said he intends to make Ryan Pinder the shortest sitting Member of Parliament in the history of the Bahamas when he defeats him in the upcoming general election.

Criticizing the PLP's youngest and most recent addition to the House of Assembly for his "national campaigning," Dr Sands claims Mr Pinder has failed to provide any proper representation for the people of Elizabeth.

"If he is unwilling or unprepared to do that task, I would imagine that the people of Elizabeth will put him aside. It is my goal that he will set a record for the shortest tenure in the House of Assembly," Dr Sands said yesterday.

In response to Dr Sands, Mr Pinder told The Tribune yesterday he has been representing the people of Elizabeth fully and has provided a number of opportunities for them in his short time in office.

"I have defeated Dr Sands in the by-election when all the odds were against me, and I will certainly defeat him again when the general election is called," he said.

Having lost the by-election by a razor-thin margin of only three votes, Dr Sands said he has taken full responsibility for the loss. However, he assured the public he has learned from this exercise and is working tirelessly to counteract any of the perceived or learned challenges that they had.

"Ultimately, I think the message I have gotten from many people is that they want to know you care, that you are concerned, and that you will do what you can do to intercede on their behalf. So I have been doing that.

"I can tell you that today alone, I have spoken to at least five or six young people that reside separately in Elizabeth in an effort to help them access the job market. I had the good fortune of being able to congratulate a young lady who was able to secure a job, and I think that is what it is all about. It's effort directed at people," he said.

Currently, Mr Pinder is perceived by many within the PLP as having the largest new-found public appeal in the party, and as such, has shot up through the ranks of the organisation. He can often be seen at various social or political events with the "top brass" of the party in tow.

Noting this manoeuvre, Dr Sands said he thought that politics in the Bahamas had moved beyond this type of showmanship.

"There is probably a bit of a role for that, but what is your primary function? Your primary function is representation of the people that put you in the House of Assembly. If you lose sight of that prize, the people will remind you in very short order that you have taken your eye off the ball.

"I certainly believe he has taken his eye off the ball. And while that has provided me with a strategic advantage I am disappointed, because the people in Elizabeth were really counting on a different kind of politics, a different kind of representation, and I think they have been short changed once again," he said.

To his criticisms of "showmanship" Mr Pinder said politicians today must realise that not every voter will visit an MP's office and as such they should venture out to the people to meet and greet them wherever they may be.

January 08, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Ryan Pinder misses first chance to vote as a Member of Parliament

Ryan Pinder misses first chance to vote as MP
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:


DESPITE enduring heavy criticism for having voted in the United States but never in the Bahamas, Ryan Pinder has yet to cast a vote in his homeland - missing his first chance as the newly-elected MP for Elizabeth.

Mr Pinder is again taking flack for his voting record, this time because he passed up the opportunity to formally support the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Bill in Parliament on Wednesday.

The MP defended his absence yesterday, saying he had a previous engagement, and pointed out that he expressed his support for the Bill during the House debate, describing it as a "fundamental component" of achieving the results he promised to his constituents during his campaign in terms of training small business development.

He went on to declare his intention to vote "every time" in the House of Assembly; however the FNM were quick to point out that so far, the new MP's parliamentary voting record stands at "0 for 1".

Carl Bethel, the FNM chairman and MP for Seabreeze, said he and some of his colleagues had planned to stand and applaud Mr Pinder when it came time for the House to take a vote on the Bill.

He said the MP was noticeably absent from the lower chamber, which led to an outburst of laughter from the governing side.

"We were ready to stand and cheer," Mr Bethel exclaimed. "Because finally he would have voted in the Bahamas. But alas we were denied that privilege.

"We can only hope that before this legislative year is over, Mr Pinder would have exercised his constitutional right," Mr Bethel quipped.

Addressing the chairman's remarks, Mr Pinder said he intends to vote "every time" he is required to in the House of Assembly. However, as for Wednesday's session, the Elizabeth MP said he had a previous speaking engagement that was set "a long time before the legislative session was set out."

"I support the BTVI Bill, and I have expressed that in the House and would vote in favour it. So I don't understand what (Mr Bethel) means. I wouldn't understand why they would jump up and down on a piece of legislation. It sounds juvenile to me and certainly sounds like they are preoccupied with Ryan Pinder and not the business of running this country," Mr Pinder shot back.

However, the MP's former rival for the Elizabeth constituency said that it appears Mr Pinder's priorities are not in the right place.

Dr Duane Sands said: "I think it's a bit disappointing that after waiting such a long time for representation, at the first opportunity that the people of Elizabeth would have a chance to have their voices heard on an important vote, their representative was not available."

Looking forward to the rest of the legislative year, Dr Sands said he hoped the people of Elizabeth's concerns would attract more attention from their MP.

Speaking on the matter before the vote, Mr Pinder told the House he supports the Bill, and hoped it wasn't "too little, too late".

He said: "I support it, Mr Speaker, because I promised my constituents, the good constituents of Elizabeth that I am a 21st century politician, focused on training and small business development.

"This Bill is a fundamental component to achieving these goals, short term and long term.

"This Bill is the crux in developing the skills labour necessary to build today's Bahamas and to ensure economic expansion on a sustained basis from among a segment of our society who may never get the opportunity to travel beyond these borders for tertiary education. So on behalf of the good people of Elizabeth, I lend my support to this Bill which is long overdue."

April 23, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

PLP's Ryan Pinder wins Elizabeth following court ruling

tribune242:


1:16pm – The court has just ruled that 3/4 of the costs will be paid by the Parliamentary Commissioner and the remaining 1/4 by the 3rd respondent, the FNM's Dr Duane Sands.

1:14pm – Lead counsel for the FNM's Dr Duane Sands, Thomas Evans, QC, just spoke with The Tribune and said that once he's had a chance to read the ruling completely he will advise his client on whether further steps should be taken, and said there may well be further steps.

1:06pm – For clarification, the justices actually ruled that all 6 votes that had been protested on election day be counted. Five of them were cast for the PLP's Ryan Pinder, giving him a final 3 vote lead over the FNM's Dr Duane Sands. The other vote had been cast for the BDM's Cassius Stuart, but in no way affected the final outcome.

12:52pm – A loud eruption of cheering broke out when the PLP supporters waiting outside the courtroom heard that their candidate Ryan Pinder had been declared the winner of the Elizabeth constituency seat. PLP leader Perry Christie went outside during the break and was shaking hands with supporters.

12:50pm – Court has been adjourned for a few minutes to allow the judges to deliberate over who should pay costs for this case and how the costs should be divided. The argument has been made that the Parliamentary Commissioner's office should assume a significant portion of the costs as it turned out that the votes were protested because of errors in the registration process.

12:41pm – The proceedings continue with debate over who should be required to pay election court costs.

12pm – Senior Justice Anita Allen has just ruled that following the hearing and deliberation, all five protested votes will be counted. This ruling puts the PLP's Ryan Pinder ahead by three votes. Allen warned the packed courtroom that she would not tolerate any outbursts before she began and when the results were read, there was complete silence in the courtroom.

11:33am – Everyone involved in the Elizabeth by-election court case is now inside the courtroom and proceedings have begun. The courtroom is filled to capacity.

10:58am – A crowd of about 50 curious onlookers and supporters of both the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party have gathered outside the court hearing the Elizabeth by-election case.

Senior Justice Anita Allen and Jon Isaacs who have been presiding over the case have just arrived at court, but the two candidates vying for the parliamentary seat – FNM's Dr Duane Sands and PLP's Ryan Pinder have not been spotted.

When the case is scheduled to resume at 11:30 today, a ruling will be given as whether any of the five protested votes cast for Pinder will be counted. Pinder needs three votes to be declared the winner of the election. A two vote gain for Pinder would result in another election.

March 23,2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

FNM Lead attorney Thomas Evans QC: three protest votes must automatically be thrown out

tribune242:


LEAD attorney for FNM candidate Dr Duane Sands, Thomas Evans QC, yesterday argued in election court that of six protest votes cast in the Elizabeth by-election three must be automatically thrown out as the individual's names did not appear on the Elizabeth register on the day of the election.

"The evidence shows that three voters were not registered in Elizabeth. Two were in the adjacent Yamacraw and one was in Fox Hill. These voters plainly are not entitled to vote in the Elizabeth constituency and no question of retifcation of register with any of them," Mr Evans told the election court.

He further argued that in addition to these three votes - that of Voter A, D and F - the vote of Voter B should not be counted as his date of birth on his driver's licence which he sought to use to vote differed to that on the register and he never appeared before the court to explain why.

This left two protest votes, that of Voters C and E, which Mr Evans agreed should be counted. Philip Davis, lead attorney for PLP candidate, Ryan Pinder, had proposed on Wednesday that all five protest votes cast for his party's candidate should be upheld as valid.

But Mr Evans contended that the court can only consider counting the votes of those voters for whom clerical errors or omissions caused them to have to cast their ballot on a coloured or protest ballot, not those who did not appear on the register at all as the register should be consider "conclusive" on the day of the election.

He further stated that for the court to "stray" into the question of whether certain voters were resident in the constituency or not would cause the court to "overstep" its mandate in this particular matter.

The attorney made these comments as he gave his final submissions to the court on behalf of his client, FNM candidate Dr Duane Sands. Some had expected that once Mr Evans concluded his submissions today that judges would leave the court to deliberate and come to a conclusion on the matter as early as today. But yesterday when Mr Evans took his seat having made his final submissions relative to the votes, lead attorney for PLP candidate Ryan Pinder, Philip Davis stood to counter some of the points he had made and this is expected to continue tomorrow when the court resumes at 10.30am.

At present it is not entirely clear when a conclusion to the case will come, and it is possible that the matter may drag on until next week.

In the February 16 by-election in Elizabeth, Dr Duane Sands won 1,501 ordinary votes and Mr Pinder got 1,499. Mr Pinder made an application to the court to determine the validity of five "protest" votes cast for him, to see whether they could be added to the official vote count and therefore change the outcome of the election, making him the representative for the constituency.

Mr Evans spoke at some length about Voter A, whose vote he ultimately said should be discounted.

That voter claimed she registered at a foodstore then gave evidence to the court that she found that she had been "put in the wrong constituency" (Fox Hill not Elizabeth). She said she and some friends and family members net with Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel to have the situation rectified.

However, Mr Evans drew that claim into question, and told the court he was "sorely tempted to ask you to dismiss" the evidence that she met with Mr Bethel and sought to have the discrepancy changed.

The attorney said this was because Errol Bethel was not questioned on this alleged meeting while he gave his evidence and because there were varying and significant differences between the evidence of voter A and other supporting witnesses connected to her, as well as between her own evidence at different times.

He noted that Mr Bethel said that he had no record of Voter A having attended his office to change her voter's card. There was no documentary evidence and her oath was unamended, said Mr Evans.

"Normally if a change was made it would be reflected in all of the documents relevant to that voter," said Mr Evans.

"The flood or accumulation of contradictions in the evidence is irrefutable proof of their lack of credibility," he said of voter A and associated witnesses.

"This court is invited to find that Voter A never made any such application or attendance at the Parliamentary Registrar's office,that Voter A voluntarily placed herself in the Fox Hill constituency by giving herself the address North Pine Barren Road and that her vote should not be allowed," proposed Mr Evans.

He added the inconsistencies raise the possibility of her voter's card being fraudulent. "I'm not saying anyone is guilty of fraud, but it is a possibility."

"We would say that from all the evidence available that the voter's card may very well not be genuine."

"If it is believed, you may direct further investigations along those lines."

In relation to Voter B, who was made to cast a protest vote after he could not produce a voter's card but only a driver's license which had a birth date upon it which differed from the date of birth on the register, Mr Evans said that because the voter has not appeared before the court or provided any evidence or explanation for the differences his vote should not be allowed.

"We have no evidence to show that the holder of the license is the same person on the register," said Mr Evans.

In relation to voter C, Mr Evans said that there was an inconsistency between the date of birth on her driver's license and on the counter foil and register. However, in this case Mr Evans said his client does not "suggest it can't be counted."

In relation to Voter D, Mr Evans said she does not live in the Elizabeth constituency and is registered in Yamacraw. "It follows that her vote can't be counted," he said. Voter D was removed from the register by the parliamentary commissioner.

Voter E, Mr Evans said she was on the Elizabeth register and had a voter's card and therefore she was "no doubt entitled" to vote. He said that the question of whether she was in fact an Elizabeth resident was a separate question, but could not be determined as part of this court matter.

With regard to Voter F, he said her vote should not be counted as she did not have a voter's card or appear on the Elizabeth register.

Mr Davis, beginning to respond to Mr Evan's submissions, said that if the court accepts the assertions made by Mr Evans it would "have startling results."

The attorney charged that the inconsistencies in the testimony of Voter A and other associated witnesses in fact make their evidence more believable.

If all of the witnesses had given the same story, one would suspect they had been "coached," he said.

"One has to look at the inconsistencies in regard to the passage of time," Mr Davis said.

"If a husband doesn't remember the date of his marriage, does that mean he didn't get married?" he asked.

March 19, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

What now for Branville McCartney?

By ADRIAN GIBSON
ajbahama@hotmail.com:



FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney's resignation is being seen as a political rebellion in certain quarters of the FNM, as attack dogs and a number of disgruntled, diehard FNMs are having fits of hysteria and are already hurling scurrilous and cheap potshots from behind the curtain of anonymity. From this week on, Mr McCartney will be wading through a political minefield.

Throughout the Bahamas, Bran McCartney is heralded as a hard worker, a young man who understands the true purpose of parliamentary representation of his constituents. The former minister's genuine concern for the nation's youth was on display last November in a speech and subsequent question and answer session given during a class I lectured at the College of the Bahamas.

Admittedly, Mr McCartney's resignation from Cabinet, while serving as a first-term junior Cabinet Minister and parliamentarian has led to comparisons to bumbling former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin who herself resigned before serving a single, full-term. All-in-all, however, Bran McCartney is not the divisive figure and calamitous Jane that Sarah Palin has turned out to be.

Bran McCartney's resignation on his personal convictions, shows that he has the kahunas to stand up for his beliefs whatever they might be and this might, in the long run, catapult him to the top of the leadership totem pole as Prime Minister and FNM leader Hubert Ingraham's successor while--in time--potentially also earning the PM's admiration.

Mr Ingraham has not said anything disparaging about Mr McCartney and he appears to be such an astute politician that amidst all the political brouhaha, he is focused enough to direct his attention upon the PLP's election court challenge and other issues instead of being found to be in open combat with the very popular Mr McCartney.

Dr Dexter Johnson, lawyer and medical doctor, addressed Mr McCartney's resignation and potential leadership of the FNM stating:

"In a situation with two exhausted leaders, the focus must be upon a replacement. The recent by-election and debate served to heighten the profile of potentially new leaders. The pretenders in the PLP and FNM are obtaining zero mileage at this time. The system of the past is not bringing the best leaders forward.

"The change in the immigration ministry's policies had put Mr McCartney in park--indefinitely. If he crosses the floor, the Ingraham administration would fall," he asserted.

Dr Johnson went on:

"Mr McCartney would be a welcome addition to a third party. His arrival would immediately catapult a third party into the political stratosphere and could be a platform to show his uninhibited vision. His arrival would immediately make a third party a contender as it would have a credible Parliamentary voice."

It seems highly unlikely that, even after submitting his resignation, Mr McCartney would cross the floor.

The timing of the former junior minister's resignation may be of concern to some, particularly as it follows an extremely acrimonious Elizabeth by-election campaign and has led to overarching concerns about his political plans, especially how his resignation--with the FNM in a seemingly precarious state--could affect his aspirations for leadership.

Frankly, in the wake of a closely-contested, yet undeclared by-election, the FNM must be uncertain of exactly what the electorate thinks and whether public apathy is directed towards the party and its governance. While Mr McCartney's resignation has reverberated throughout the archipelago, his resignation would have been more resonant had it been submitted immediately after the Prime Minister decided to temporarily grant status to the Haitian migrants housed at the Detention Centre following the catastrophic earthquake in Port-au-Prince. At that time, the PM's decision to release the Haitians-- even with temporary status -- was met with a chorus of dissent and questions about its legality as local radio talk shows were bombarded by livid callers. Indeed, there is a paralyzing fog of disbelief and outright cynicism being expressed in some quarters about the Prime Minister's decision. It has been alleged that Mr McCartney was not consulted and felt that it was a usurping of his power and authority as Minister of State in-charge of the Department of Immigration.

It has also been alleged that Mr McCartney had a running feud with substantive minister and DPM Brent Symonette, who some contend may have sought to tie his hands on certain immigration matters.

Indeed, while questions run rife about whether the Bamboo Town MP's resignation will further cripple the FNM in terms of its support, I believe that he is a chap with the gravitas to stand against the grain. However, diehard FNM supporters, despite their belief that he possesses leadership qualities, may be more concerned about party over self--irrespective of how principled one might be. Although Mr McCartney has exhibited the attributes, abilities and intellect that are commendable traits to propel him to leadership as opposed to an aptitude to simply be a sycophant complying with political dictates, today, even the slightest misstep could lead to another man (McCartney) who would-be "king" being permanently ushered out of the throne room.

Are the voting delegates and council members willing to view an individual's abilities or, at the end of the day, will party supersede any principle that a person holds?

It is my belief that when Charles Maynard--who is not seen as the brightest spark in the Cabinet--was appointed the substantive Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture after a abysmal performance as a junior minister, Mr McCartney possibly felt snubbed.

Sources assert that the former state minister believed himself to have been overlooked and cast aside.

Furthermore, unlike certain members of the current and past Cabinets, Mr McCartney is not overly dependent upon a Cabinet job, as he has publicly admitted to being independent, financially secure and to have used his ministerial salary in the constituency.

After the dust settles in Elizabeth, it is said by certain FNM insiders that McCartney could be displaced. If Elizabeth serves as a catalyst for what 2012 holds, there will then be a strategic plan for counting seats within both of the major parties, with each party distinguishing the seats that are must-haves in its column in the instance that the election is close. These must-have seats must also be contested by diehard candidates. That said, I doubt that Mr McCartney will be punished and relocated to contest another constituency.

When former Bamboo Town MP Tennyson Wells initially broke ranks with the FNM/PM Ingraham, the constituency association continued to support him as an independent. Mr Wells was shown that they stood with him, only to later part ways upon being won over by Mr McCartney's arrival and the realization that an independent could do little for the constituency.

As it regards Mr McCartney's possible succession to PM Ingraham as FNM leader, the issue of his ability to galvanize the voters across the political spectrum to vote for the party must also be taken into account. Moreover, if history serves as precedent, future leadership challengers within the major parties may also need the blessings of previous leaders--as seems to be the norm in the Bahamas. Will Mr McCartney earn Mr Ingraham's support, particularly as Dr Duane Sands is slated to eventually become the next FNM leader?

Before the arrival of Mr Ingraham, the FNM was viewed as the elitist, Republican Party of the Bahamas. Since then, Mr Ingraham's leadership has increased support for the party across the electoral spectrum. As PM Ingraham seeks to close an illustrious political career, it remains obvious that the FNM has yet to find homegrown talent to become a true leader-Prime Minister material. Will Bran McCartney be that man?

March 11, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Branville McCartney: I won't take blame for Elizabeth vote

By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:



FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney last night hit out at suggestions by senior FNM officials that he was to blame for the party's less than stellar performance in the Elizabeth by-election.

According to sources within the FNM, Mr McCartney was berated at an FNM council meeting last week where a number of meritorious council members (MCM) took the MP to task for the poor showing at the polls in Polling Division 11.

This division, which was headed by the FNM's Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour, was also worked by Mr McCartney who these sources claim, failed to show any "inspiration in his designated duties."

This lack of "inspiration" they claimed was due to the suspicion that the MP was not in favour of the party's candidate Dr Duane Sands, who Mr McCartney could possibly see as another challenger for the leadership of the party if and when the opportunity arose.

"So it came as no surprise to me that he would have resigned," the source added. "Who knows, maybe he was trying to pre-empt what was already in the process of being done."

However, according to Mr McCartney, he has always supported the FNM's candidate in Elizabeth and any suggestion otherwise is completely ridiculous. Further to that, he added that if he did not support Dr Sands he would not have campaigned for him, and the suggestion that he was not "working hard enough" is nothing more than a vicious lie.

"I said publicly on radio my support for Dr Sands. I said that Dr Sands is the best man for the job. My record will speak for itself. You can ask people who campaigned with me," he said.

To Mr McCartney's credit, the MP did note in his resignation letter that he had withheld making this announcement until after the by-election so that it would not hurt the party's chances in Elizabeth.

Reiterating this point, the Bamboo Town MP said he could not possibly be blamed for what happened in Elizabeth as all indicators were revealing that the election was going to be a "close race."

In fact, other sources within the party have suggested that it was the Prime Minister's change in Immigration policy following the earthquake in Haiti that caused the party a number of voters who decided not to show up at the polls.

However, Mr McCartney would not respond to this aspect and maintained that he will be focusing his attention on the affairs of his constituency at this time.

He did say, however, that he remains of the view that if he were to make a push for the leadership of the FNM at some later date, his resignation from the Cabinet of the Bahamas would not be held against him.

"I acted on my personal convictions. And when you act on that you are doing what is right. And when you are doing what is right, how can that hurt you?

"I have not resigned from the party or from my constituency. I intend now to even speak more on other national issues without Cabinet collective responsibility," he said.

As such, the MP said that he will continue to champion the cause of the Bahamian people at large on national issues which will range from Immigration to crime, to land security and border protection.

March 03, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Five out of six to bid for Elizabeth by-election

By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:


FIVE of the six expected parliamentary candidates successfully submitted their nominations yesterday for the Elizabeth by-election -- but United Christian Love Revolution Movement hopeful Godfrey "Pro" Pinder missed out on the race.

Mr Pinder arrived just a minute before the nomination office at Thelma Gibson Primary School in Commonwealth Drive, Elizabeth Estates, closed at noon.

The nomination office opened at 9am with the Free National Movement (FNM) being the first to submit the nomination papers for their candidate, Dr Duane Sands, flanked by his brother Robert "Sandy" Sands, vice president of external affairs for Baha Mar, and government ministers Earl Deveaux, Tommy Turnquest and Dion Foulkes as well as FNM party chairman Carl Bethel. A throng of supporters dressed in bright red FNM t-shirts gathered at the Believers Gospel Chapel on Prince Charles Drive where they danced to music blasting from a nearby party truck decorated with giant posters of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and red, white and blue flags.

They walked in procession before the truck and were the first party to submit their candidate's nomination papers shortly after 10am.

As they left the building, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters had gathered outside, more than 100 people wearing yellow PLP t-shirts and waving pom-poms danced to the music blaring from loudspeakers on two trucks parked outside the school gates.

The supporters rushed into the school with candidate Ryan Pinder, who was accompanied by his wife and children, his mother and father, former Malcolm Creek MP Marvin Pinder, and party leader Perry Christie, chairman Bradley Roberts and MPs Brave Davis and Shane Gibson.

As Mr Thompson presented him with a receipt for the $400 fee and nomination forms with a list of five people in the constituency who had nominated him, Mr Pinder jumped up from the table and raised his arm in the air. The crowd of around two dozen supporters in the room cheered as he hugged and kissed his wife, mother and daughter, before giving the peace sign to the cameras and quickly changing it to the PLP "OK" hand signal.


Cheering


Mr Pinder was greeted by a cheering crowd in the school courtyard and National Development Party (NDP) candidate Andre Rollins -- who had been waiting to submit his nomination before the PLP went in-- asked Mr Pinder if he would engage in a live debate.

Mr Pinder backed away quietly without answering the NDP candidate, who walked into the nomination room with a plastic bag containing 1,600 quarters -- his nomination fee -- which Dr Rollins said represented the 1,600 votes he needs to win the seat.

The fourth candidate to nominate was Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart who kept his entrance low-key with just 10 supporters wearing purple party t-shirts and calling for change.

Rodney Moncur from the Workers' Party was the final candidate to successfully submit his nomination at around 11am with six supporters at his side. Mr Moncur, sporting sunglasses and a suit, gave a speech outside the school gates slamming the FNM and PLP, and arguing how he is the right man to represent the people of Elizabeth as an activist and supporter of capital punishment.

United Christian Love Revolution Movement leader Godfrey "Pro" Pinder pulled into the school parking lot at 11.59am, and after asking Tribune reporters for directions to the nomination office ran to submit his nomination before the office closed at noon.

Although Mr Thompson kept the office open for Mr Pinder to return to his car and retrieve his nomination papers and his cheque book, he could not accept the personal cheque as legislation requires the payment be made in cash or by certified cheque. The attorney and parliamentary hopeful dressed in a suit, pink shirt and tie, solemnly returned to his car, declining to speak to the press any more than to say he had been in court that morning which was the reason for his delay.

January 30, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas: Elizabeth by-election candidates

DR DUANE SANDS
FREE NATIONAL MOVEMENT


FOR the next 19 days the FNM candidate in the Elizabeth by-election plans to canvas the constituency to convince voters that he is the best man for the job.

In the meantime, Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune, the FNM "has a lot more work to do" to weed out ineligible voters who may be able to vote in the by-election although they no longer live in the area.

On the campaign trail, Dr Sands said he has been surprised by how many Bahamians are barely making ends meet. He has also been put off by a small number of greedy voters who demand money or goods in return for their support.

Dr Sands said the topmost concern of constituents -- aside from crime and unemployment -- is fair and accountable representation.

He said his time in the area revealed that many constituents have low expectations from a representative, something he feels is due to the representation the constituency had over the past six years.

"We're going to go out and talk to every single registered voter that we can get to and hear what their concerns are," Dr Sands said, ahead of the FNM's rally last night and nomination day today.

"Our strategy is to demonstrate to people that the FNM and Duane Sands would be a much better alternative and that we could offer better governance."

"(Voters') expectations have been diminished in part because they've been let down. Many of the constituents are not demanding a pound of flesh. They have a reasonable expectation that their concerns are listened to, and want accountability, availability, and access to government," he said.

His party is also still focusing on limiting possible ballot tainting due to a loophole in the voter registry which may allow residents who no longer live in the Elizabeth constituency to vote.

"Even the Registrar General has alluded to the fact that this is a huge challenge even for them and we are obviously trying to make sure that there is a proper correlation between the register and what we find on the ground. I expect that as we get closer to February 16 we would have made some headway in identifying some of the people who ought not be eligible, but I doubt that it's going to be perfect," he said.

Campaigning in Elizabeth, Dr Sands, a noted heart surgeon, said he has been struck by how many Bahamians have to endure financial hardship.

"While I happen to see people at their worst in the hospital, Bahamians are really struggling, and as you enter their homes and see them as they are it (adds to) the immediate need of restoring hope," he said.

The Elizabeth seat was held by Malcolm Adderley, who resigned from Parliament and the PLP last month. Although the PLP won the constituency two terms in a row, their last win was a narrow one of only 45 votes over the FNM.

More than 4,000 voters are expected to cast their votes in the by-election on February 16.


RYAN PINDER
PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY


Mr Pinder said the response to the "hectic and fast" campaign the PLP has so far mounted ahead of the February 16 by-election has been "extremely positive".

The tax attorney said he will move in a motorcade with PLP supporters and leaders from the party's Elizabeth Headquarters at around 9.30am tomorrow, making it to Thelma Gibson Primary School by around 10.30am to nominate.

"It's very encouraging. I'm in the area every day meeting with residents. I've certainly been able to speak with a lot of the constituents and the response has been very positive and encouraging," he said.

"We had a mass rally (Wednesday) night, thousands and thousands of people were there. At the opening of the Prince Charles (party) headquarters we had in excess of 1,000 people show up. The energy level in the area is very high."

He added: "Elizabeth's concerns revolve around the difficulty with the Bahamian economic situation, there's a high level of unemployment in Elizabeth just like throughout country. There's a real concern that there's not an opportunity to succeed in business and there's a real entrepreneurial spirit but many feel they don't have the right opportunities and programmes and platforms to succeed. They are also concerned about the crime rate in the country and particularly in the constituency," said the candidate.

With regards to the concerns that some people who were registered to vote in the constituency in the last election have since moved out of the area but still appear on the register - making it possible they could vote despite not living in the constituency - Mr Pinder said the party has been "on the ground meeting with constituents night after night seven days a week" and he is confident that by election day, February 16, the party will have a strong handle on who is and is not entitled to vote.


CASSIUS STUART
BAHAMAS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT


Mr Stuart said the BDM's effort to win over the Elizabeth constituency has "been going very well" but complained that the party encountered some "disturbing issues" as went around the constituency knocking on doors.

"These guys (FNM and PLP campaigners) have been playing extremely nasty. FNMs and PLPs have been telling constituents I dropped out of the race. What they are finding out is that more and more people are tired of the PLP and the FNM and so they are telling them I dropped out. I want to let people know I'm still in the race and I'll be nominating (today)," said Mr Stuart.

In speaking with the "hundreds" of residents he has thus far been able to encounter on the campaign trail, Mr Stuart said he's found that they are concerned primarily about crime.

Other issues raised include the two "shanty towns" within the constituency's borders and infrastructural problems such as a lack of speed bumps and street signs. Flooding and traffic congestion in the area are also concerns.

Mr Stuart called out the FNM for allegedly "using government resources to aid their candidate".

"If you go in Kool Acres Drive, the Ministry of Works has equipment out there now paving roads, so we want to make that known.

"It is very unfair, you're using power of government against other candidates," he claimed.


GODFREY PINDER
UNITED CHRISTIAN LOVE REVOLUTION MOVEMENT


Despite recent professional tribulations (Pinder was suspended from practicing law by the Bahamas Bar Council earlier this month following a complaint from a former client, but has appealed the suspension), Mr Pinder said he is ready to "ask Lizzie to be my valentine" in the February 16 by-election.

The colourful candidate said that thus far his campaign, launched after he announced the formation of his Love Revolution Movement earlier this month, has been "going marvellously."

"Basically I'm love in action," said Mr Pinder, whose manifesto states his desire to set up "Love Universities."

The would-be candidate claims he plans to send a love poem to "the lady of every household" in the constituency in his bid to woo Elizabeth into his camp.

"I'm going to touch everyone in a very, very nice way," he stated.

Yesterday Parliamentary Registrar Errol Bethel said that "as far as he knows" Mr Pinder's recent professional issues should not affect his ability to nominate.


RODNEY MONCUR
WORKERS' PARTY


DESPITE meagre campaign funding, Workers' Party candidate Rodney Moncur thinks he will overcome the political heavyweights in next month's by-election in the Elizabeth constituency.

He launched his campaign on January 7, a day after former MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from Parliament.

Without the money to hold mass rallies, run ads or blanket the area with posters, Mr Moncur gets up before sunrise every day to knock on doors and lobby for precious votes.

His group of about a dozen supporters spends most of the day in people's living rooms and on porches getting to the core of residents' concerns.

Chief among these complaints are high unemployment levels, rising crime levels, while the government's recent suspension of its education loan programme came in third place on their list of concerns.

While he tries to sway voters with minimal resources, Mr Moncur accused operatives of the two major political parties of running dirty campaigns.

He charged that the PLP and FNM are "exploiting" constituents with money woes by offering them liquor and jobs.

"The PLP and FNM have resorted to some of the most unethical forms of campaigning that I have ever seen. They are keeping the men drunk, that kind of thing," said Mr Moncur.

"I think the FNM and PLP in a very ungodly manner are exploiting the poor -- they call it campaigning, I call it gangsterism."

Like FNM candidate Dr Duane Sands, Mr Moncur has also been moved by the disparity between the "haves and have-nots" in the Elizabeth constituency.

"As you move through certain areas of the constituency you can see the economic desperation and the hardship," he said.

"I went to a Haitian community off Joe Farrington Road and they are living in abject poverty. And these persons are supporters of the PLP and FNM but they are living in squalor."

If he wins, the activist is prepared to sacrifice his time to be a man for the people, working out of an office in Elizabeth every day and foregoing other employment.

"I will go to work at my office in Elizabeth every day, they would be my employers, as opposed to the other candidates who will return to their law practice, medical practice or other profession. The candidate who is elected as a representative should report to his constituency office every day and if the salary is not sufficient he should not seek office."

Up to press time, Mr Moncur said he had raised most of the nomination fee with a final donation of $80 expected to arrive last night.


DR ANDRE ROLLINS
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY


THE newly formed National Development Party and its candidate Dr Andre Rollins are hoping to finally part the sea of red and yellow - colours of the FNM and PLP respectively - at the upcoming Elizabeth by-election.

The NDP hopes that voter frustration with the established parties will sweep Dr Rollins into the House of Assembly.

Although in its infancy, the NDP believes that its message and policy platform will sway many voters.

Dr Rollins was elected as the party's candidate in the Elizabeth by-election after a public political debate and primary election - trials which other political parties shied away from.

A newcomer to politics, the 34-year-old dentist feels Bahamians are ready for a change, starting with their political representatives.

His party's approach to the race has been to offer more accountability.

Without the money for rallies or other election gimmicks, Dr Rollins hopes that each candidate's message, not campaign funding, will be the deciding factor in the hotly contested race.

Whether he wins or loses, Dr Rollins plans to continue to hold both major parties to account, criticising them when appropriate.

"If you don't do the job that you were entrusted to do we are not going to show any fear or favour. We are going to go straight down the middle whether you are FNM or PLP," he told The Tribune recently.

Dr Rollins beat out NDP member C Rashad Amahad at Wednesday's event. Both men took blind questions from the audience and moderator Judy Hamilton.

At the primary, Dr Rollins urged supporters to be optimistic that the underdog can be victorious at the by-election polls.

Dr Rollins served as president of the Bahamas Dental Association from December, 2004 to December, 2009. He is a founding member of the NDP, formed in October 2008.

January 29, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Ryan Pinder is ratified as the PLP's Elizabeth nominee

tribune 242:


TAX attorney Ryan Pinder was ratified last night as the PLP's nominee for the Elizabeth constituency, setting the stage for what will be a hotly contested by-election beginning sometime early next month.

Carrying the PLP's banner up against the FNM's Dr Duane Sands, Mr Pinder beat out a number of other contenders within his own party to gain the nomination for the Elizabeth seat.

At 35 years of age, Mr Pinder was humbled last night to learn that he had gained the nomination, vowing that he would do all he could to bring the seat home to the Progressive Liberal Party and provide the representation that "the people" deserve.

Bahamas Democratic leader Cassius Stuart officially announced his intention to run next week.

January 13, 2010


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Bahamas Blog International

FNM hopeful Dr. Duane Sands aims to use Elizabeth as model for new healthcare system

By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:


POLITICAL hopeful Dr Duane Sands has a plan to revolutionise the public healthcare system, using the Elizabeth constituency as a model.

Dr Sands, a noted heart and vascular specialist, hopes to decentralise public healthcare by offering services at the Elizabeth Estates' public clinic comparable to those available at Princess Margaret Hospital.

He feels this initiative, if copied throughout the capital, would help to relieve some of the burden from PMH and allow for earlier detection of chronic diseases.

Healthcare, along with community concerns over unemployment, crime, traffic, and infrastructure issues are some areas Dr Sands hopes to address if he is successful in his bid to secure the Free National Movement's nomination for the Elizabeth constituency and wins the area's by-election race.

He said the people of Elizabeth have a myriad of concerns which he feels can be better addressed by a representative who has the weight and support of the Government behind them.

"With someone who is passionate and has the support of the government that many of these things will get done," he told The Tribune yesterday.

"I think we have an opportunity to make Elizabeth the model of healthcare delivery for the country. The model that exists in healthcare is very PMH centred we have to make healthcare community based. Starting from the model of that clinic (with) adjustments of staffing, equipment, (longer) hours of operation, diagnostics and therapeutic facilities now you have the situation where you can move the fight of disease out of PMH and move it into the community.

"And that is going to be the model needed to take healthcare where it needs to go," said Dr Sands, adding he hopes to work alongside Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on the initiative if elected.

The PLP won the Elizabeth constituency for two consecutive terms - albeit by a narrow margin in 2007 of just 45 votes - and Dr Sands sees himself as the "underdog" in the looming by-election race.

A virtual newcomer to the political arena, Dr Sands - who currently serves as Chairman of the Bahamas Medical Council, a Director of the Central Bank of the Bahamas and Chief of Surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital - said his team plans to speak to every voter and "gain their trust".

Yesterday Speaker of the House Alvin Smith, who returned to the capital on Saturday from a conference in India, told The Tribune he had not yet notified Governor General Arthur Hanna in writing of the vacant seat in the House of Assembly.

Last Wednesday former Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party - setting the stage a by-election which is expected to take place next month.

By law, Mr Smith must instruct the Governor General of the vacancy after which an order will be made to hold a by-election and a date set.

On Sunday, the FNM announced that Dr Sands was unanimously elected by the Elizabeth Constituency Association as its preferred candidate.

Last night he was scheduled to face the scrutiny of the party's Candidates Committee and later the Executive Committee. If successful, Dr Sands is expected to be ratified as the FNM's official Elizabeth candidate on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the PLP is expected to formally ratify its yet unannounced candidate tonight. Attorney Ryan Pinder is rumoured to be the party's pick, although PLP Treasurer Craig Butler is also vying for the nomination.

Last week Bahamas Democratic Leader Cassius Stuart officially announced his intent to run.

January 12, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog Bahamas

Free National Movement (FNM) names likely man for Elizabeth constituency by-election

By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:


THE political field for the upcoming Elizabeth constituency by-election was narrowed over the weekend as the FNM announced its local constituency association has selected Dr Duane Sands as its chosen candidate.

In response, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said his party is likely to pick either attorneys Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler.

At a press conference yesterday at Free National Movement headquarters on Mackey Street, FNM national chairman Carl Bethel announced that 47-year-old Dr Sands, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, was unanimously elected by the Elizabeth Constituency Association as its preferred candidate.

Dr Sands tonight faces the scrutiny of the FNM Candidates Committee - essentially the executive of the party - and later its Executive Committee in what Mr Bethel described as the next steps in a "very detailed consultative mechanism" outlined in the party's constitution for selecting candidates in national elections.

The Chairman said that while he would not "presume" the outcome of those consultations, "having regard to what were the most persuasive and carefully thought out views" of the Elizabeth Constituency Association it is quite likely Dr Sands - who currently serves as Chairman of the Bahamas Medical Council, a Director of the Central Bank of the Bahamas and Chief of Surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital - will be formally ratified as the party's candidate come Thursday.

He emphasised that the selection of Dr Sands thus far "was not an open and closed process or a closed door situation" but a democratic one.

Asked about how important a win in the constituency is for the governing party, Mr Bethel said: "Every constituency is politically very important and to win is also very important."

"Though we are confident of victory we appreciate and value the importance of every individual voter and will not take the concerns of any individual voter for granted. Each voter in Elizabeth can expect their concerns will be individually considered and assessed," he added.

He would not be drawn on the significance of the by-election as a litmus test of likely success in the next general election, stating only that to see it as such would be to take "too opportunistic a view" of the event, which he emphasised was precipitated by the "personal decisions" of Malcolm Adderley, the former PLP party member who resigned his seat last week.

Meanwhile, ending some initial speculation that it may not vye for the seat for fear of wasting resources, the PLP has confirmed that it will be running a candidate in the by-election.

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said it is "highly likely" at present that once final consultations are concluded, the Party's National General Council will ratify either attorney and party vice chairman Ryan Pinder - son of former PLP Malcolm Creek representative Marvin Pinder - or party treasurer Craig Butler as its candidate for the upcoming election.

The PLP was out in force in the constituency over the weekend, with numerous parliamentarians and party members doing the rounds.

Speaking at FNM headquarters on Dr Sands nomination by the constituency association, Mr Bethel said Dr Sands was the only person who formally applied to be the party's standard bearer for the area and in the unanimous vote of around 20 constituency association members, three others who had verbally indicated an interest in putting themselves forward as candidates threw their support behind Dr Sands.

Freddy Sands, Chairman of the Elizabeth Constituency Association said that he is confident Dr Sands, who is married with four children, is a man who is "not about prestige ... not about money, (but) is concerned about our country and the way it is headed now."

Mr Bethel said that in choosing an FNM MP for their area, Elizabeth constituents can expect to have their first representative "in nearly a decade who will have an effective voice around the table of governance" given how Mr Adderley, who served as their MP since 2002, was purportedly undermined by PLP party leader Perry Christie.

Mr Bethel said those living in the area can expect to see the governing party "campaigning vigorously, consistently, and as much as is required to have the maximum possible impact and to hear the concerns of every single registered voter in the Elizabeth constituency".

"They can expect an attentive ear and that whatever it is possible for us to improve the condition of all in the Elizabeth constituency we will do," said the Chairman.

Asked what the party has budgeted to spend on its campaign, Mr Bethel said this figure has not yet been settled but it will "cost some good money." He added that any donations towards this effort would be "thankfully received and faithfully applied."

The Chairman encouraged "all eligible voters who are residents of Elizabeth who are not already registered to vote or who may have turned 18 since the last general elections or who may have moved into the constituency more than six months ago to take all the necessary steps to register to vote either at the Parliamenary Commissioner's office during working hours, or at the Thelma Gibson Primary School between the hours of 5pm and 8pm on weekdays."

January 11, 2010

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Bahamas Blog International

PLP Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis claims Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's appointing of political figures to bench undermining crime fight

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

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International