Haiti denies FNM 'vote ploy'
By DANA SMITH
dsmith@tribunemedia.net
HAITI'S president Michel Martelly did not intend to interfere in Bahamian politics when he told Haitian-Bahamians to identify "who is on their side" in the upcoming general elections, Haitian Ambassador Antonio Rodrigue said.
The ambassador spoke yesterday as political rivals of the FNM expressed concern over Mr Martelly's comments - which they claimed were the result of a "political ploy" by the governing party.
On Wednesday, Mr Martelly advised Bahamians of Haitian descent to band together and lobby for a political party they feel would best protect their interests.
"I told them to organise themselves and identify in this upcoming elections who is on their side," he said.
"By being determinate in the elections they may have people taking care of them, this is the democratic way."
Mr Rodrigue claimed the president was misunderstood and stressed he was not trying to be political.
"I think people are taking it out of context and people here try to put it as a political effort.
"No, he wants to tell them - and this is something I think is normal - look out for your interests, look for who is helping you, who has your interests.
"He didn't mention any person, any group, anything in particular," Mr Rodrigue said.
"It was not his intention to get into the politics of the Bahamas. That's not his intention and I think it's a misunderstanding or maybe people try to twist what he said just for political reasons, but the president respects the choice or the politics of each country. Never would it be his intention to get involved in those things."
As for accusations that Mr Martelly's statements were an endorsement of the FNM, Mr Rodrigue said the president's visit had "nothing to do" with the FNM or any other party, and pointed out the president visited with both the FNM and PLP leaders.
"It was not his intention saying that to endorse anyone in this election," he emphasised.
Mr Rodrigue explained the president only meant Haitians should organise among themselves and not necessarily in support of a particular party.
"He didn't talk about any party, he said Haitians have to organise themselves. It's something I think is very important because Haitians here are kind of isolated so when they put themselves together they can work better," he said.
Mr Rodrigue called it "unfortunate" that the president's comments were "twisted."
An official statement released by the Haitian Embassy last night said: "President Martelly's sole purpose during his stay in the Bahamas was to seek opportunities to improve the lives of Haitians, so they don't have to migrate to other countries.
"At any moment, President Martelly did not intend to interfere in any way in the internal politics of the Bahamas."
February 10, 2012
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.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Haitian Ambassador to The Bahamas Antonio Rodrigue says Haiti's president Michel Martelly did not intend to interfere in Bahamian politics when he told Haitian-Bahamians to identify "who is on their side" in the upcoming general election ...and band together accordingly with the political party that they feel would best protect their interests
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Visiting Haitian President Michel Martelly urged his countrymen to form a voting bloc in The Bahamas and align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests
Haitians told ‘form voting bloc’
by Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter
taneka@nasguard.com
Haitian President Michel Martelly yesterday urged his countrymen to form a voting bloc in The Bahamas and align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests.
“I told them to organize themselves and identify in the upcoming elections who is on their side. That way they can become a force. By being [unified] in the elections they might have people taking care of them. . .this is the democratic way,” Martelly told reporters yesterday.
He was reiterating statements he made in Haitian Creole as he spoke to thousands of Haitians and Haitian-Bahamians who crowded the Church of God on Joe Farrington Road on Tuesday night.
Police on the scene estimated the crowd at 6,000. Many of them converged outside the hall anxious to hear their president speak.
His meeting with the members of the Haitian community in The Bahamas kicked off his brief official visit to the country.
Many people of Haitian descent who were born in The Bahamas, and some Haitians who came to The Bahamas illegally many years ago have been granted citizenship over the years.
Martelly said he heard reports of Haitians being mistreated in The Bahamas, for example being arrested for illegal immigration although they had permits to work or reside in the country.
He also lamented the plight of ‘stateless’ people who have to wait until their 18th birthday to apply for Bahamian citizenship even though they were born in this country.
“So until they’re 18 they don’t belong to anywhere, and yet they were born here, meaning do I have to tell anyone if you send them back to Haiti they probably don’t know anybody or won’t recognize the place where they land?.
“This could be considered as a crime, but that’s not the issue to talk about crime here; the issue is to stand by them and find the right solution. Be responsible, be humans and see how to better assist these Haitians,” said Martelly at a press conference at the British Colonial Hilton hotel yesterday.
However, he said he did not urge Haitians living here to protest, but instead use this country’s democratic system to work in their favor.
“I could not ask my people to riot for their right, this is not what I want,” he said.
The president said his government is working to create job opportunities so his people do not have to leave the country to make better lives elsewhere.
At the meeting with Haitians Tuesday night, Martelly encouraged them to return home and help rebuild the poor nation. He said it would be hard to convince foreign investors to help develop the country if its own people are leaving in droves.
An official who works for the Haitian Embassy translated his comments into English for The Nassau Guardian.
“I’m asking for your support, everyone get together with me, unite with me. We are going to create jobs for Haiti so Haitians don’t have to leave Haiti to look for jobs elsewhere,” he said in Creole, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
“. . .Those that want to leave now I’m telling you go with me tomorrow.”
The purpose of Martelly’s visit was to rebrand Haiti as a nation ripe for investment and full of opportunities.
The president, who was elected last April, said Haiti is no longer looking for international aid but wants to forge new ties in trading.
The country needs foreign investors to help build homes, roads and other infrastructure for the struggling country, according to the president.
Yesterday, Martelly met with Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, leader of the Opposition Perry Christie, members of the Chamber of Commerce and the ministers of immigration, national security and tourism.
Feb 09, 2012
...youth unemployment is up by more than 30 per cent in The Bahamas
Jobless youth up by a third
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE NATIONAL unemployment rate has risen 2.2 per cent in five months and youth unemployment is up by more than 30 per cent, according to the latest labour survey released by the Department of Statistics yesterday.
The survey, which was conducted in November of last year, shows increases in both New Providence and Grand Bahama, pushing the country's unemployment rate to 15.9 per cent.
In the case of New Providence, the rate increased from 13.2 per cent to 15.1 per cent and in Grand Bahama from 15.4 per cent to 21. 2 per cent.
The last labour force survey was conducted in May of 2011.
Kelsie Dorsett, director of the Department of Statistics, attributed the 2.2 per cent increase in the unemployment rate to a decline in the informal sector and a larger number of young people becoming unemployed.
She said :" The data survey from May showed a number of person sought employment by engaging in informal sector activities. These people, like fruit sellers and phone card vendors, saw their businesses fail a few months later. When that happened they withdrew themselves from the labour force and joined the ranks of the unemployed causing an increase."
In addition to a reduction in the number of persons engaged in the informal sector, which declined by 19 per cent, there was also a decline in the number of self-employed persons. In May, self-employed persons accounted for 14 per cent of the total employment, but in the latest November survey that number decreased to 12 per cent.
Mrs Dorsett said a 34 per cent increase in the number of unemployed young people also contributed to a rise in the unemployment rate.
"In May when the earlier survey was conducted, most students about to graduate from high school and university were unlikely a part of the labour force, however, in November though some of them may have obtained jobs, others were likely awaiting responses from their job applications," she said.
"Also the young people that were working, when businesses started to fail, were the first ones to be let go or laid off. Its usually the last one in that's the first one out and in most cases its the young people who fall in that category."
Mrs Dorsett said this is a trend that will be monitored now that the survey is conducted biannually - in May and November.
New Providence experienced a decline of 13 per cent in the number of discouraged workers while the reverse was the case in Grand Bahama where the numbers increased by 42 per cent.
Mrs Dorsett said that in May Grand Bahamians were more optimistic about finding work but that their attitudes changed in November after months of searching for jobs with no success.
The survey also showed a slight increase - less than one per cent - in the size of the labour force which is now 190,445 persons.
The number of women declined by 1.4 per cent while the number of working men increased by 1.8 per cent.
In New Providence the number of persons in both the labour force and the employed labour force was almost equally distributed among the sexes. In Grand Bahama however, men outnumbered women in both the labour force and the employed labour force and were fewer in numbers among the unemployed.
Mrs Dorsett said the next labour force survey to include some of the Family Islands will be conducted in May 2012.
She said this particular survey will use a more detailed questionnaire, which will allow for the collection of data on the informal sector, training and similar information.
Additionally, a condensed questionnaire will be used with the major focus being the measurement of the labour force and the relevant indicators - participation rate, unemployment rate, and the like.
February 08, 2012
tribune242
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE NATIONAL unemployment rate has risen 2.2 per cent in five months and youth unemployment is up by more than 30 per cent, according to the latest labour survey released by the Department of Statistics yesterday.
The survey, which was conducted in November of last year, shows increases in both New Providence and Grand Bahama, pushing the country's unemployment rate to 15.9 per cent.
In the case of New Providence, the rate increased from 13.2 per cent to 15.1 per cent and in Grand Bahama from 15.4 per cent to 21. 2 per cent.
The last labour force survey was conducted in May of 2011.
Kelsie Dorsett, director of the Department of Statistics, attributed the 2.2 per cent increase in the unemployment rate to a decline in the informal sector and a larger number of young people becoming unemployed.
She said :" The data survey from May showed a number of person sought employment by engaging in informal sector activities. These people, like fruit sellers and phone card vendors, saw their businesses fail a few months later. When that happened they withdrew themselves from the labour force and joined the ranks of the unemployed causing an increase."
In addition to a reduction in the number of persons engaged in the informal sector, which declined by 19 per cent, there was also a decline in the number of self-employed persons. In May, self-employed persons accounted for 14 per cent of the total employment, but in the latest November survey that number decreased to 12 per cent.
Mrs Dorsett said a 34 per cent increase in the number of unemployed young people also contributed to a rise in the unemployment rate.
"In May when the earlier survey was conducted, most students about to graduate from high school and university were unlikely a part of the labour force, however, in November though some of them may have obtained jobs, others were likely awaiting responses from their job applications," she said.
"Also the young people that were working, when businesses started to fail, were the first ones to be let go or laid off. Its usually the last one in that's the first one out and in most cases its the young people who fall in that category."
Mrs Dorsett said this is a trend that will be monitored now that the survey is conducted biannually - in May and November.
New Providence experienced a decline of 13 per cent in the number of discouraged workers while the reverse was the case in Grand Bahama where the numbers increased by 42 per cent.
Mrs Dorsett said that in May Grand Bahamians were more optimistic about finding work but that their attitudes changed in November after months of searching for jobs with no success.
The survey also showed a slight increase - less than one per cent - in the size of the labour force which is now 190,445 persons.
The number of women declined by 1.4 per cent while the number of working men increased by 1.8 per cent.
In New Providence the number of persons in both the labour force and the employed labour force was almost equally distributed among the sexes. In Grand Bahama however, men outnumbered women in both the labour force and the employed labour force and were fewer in numbers among the unemployed.
Mrs Dorsett said the next labour force survey to include some of the Family Islands will be conducted in May 2012.
She said this particular survey will use a more detailed questionnaire, which will allow for the collection of data on the informal sector, training and similar information.
Additionally, a condensed questionnaire will be used with the major focus being the measurement of the labour force and the relevant indicators - participation rate, unemployment rate, and the like.
February 08, 2012
tribune242
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Opposition parties expressed concerns over the security of overseas voting... ...said they fear the process could be open to tampering
Opposition parties concerned about overseas voting
By Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter
taneka@nasguard.com
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) yesterday expressed concerns over the security of overseas voting and said they fear the process could be open to tampering.
Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, a former Cabinet minister in the Christie administration, said each party is allowed agents to monitor the collection of ballots, but he questioned whether they will be able to do this in every case.
“We need to sponsor the political parties to have agents at these polling places. Each political party is supposed to have an agent who is supposed to monitor the ballots, the sealing of the box to ensure there is no hanky-panky,” said Mitchell. “Now that you have these polling places overseas, the question is can the political parties afford to send an agent to do it?”
DNA Leader Branville McCartney had similar worries.
“We want to know the process in these various embassies to ensure the voting process is done properly and fairly,” he said.
“[The DNA is] not totally satisfied. I’m not casting any blame really on the government or otherwise but human nature as it is and persons with their different preference(s) in terms of political allegiance, we do have some concerns.”
The DNA is preparing to take its message to Bahamian students enrolled in colleges overseas.
Last week, several senior members of the PLP, including party leader Perry Christie, met with students in Florida and Atlanta.
The trip marked the fourth time the PLP spoke with students enrolled in colleges abroad.
The PLP plans to take its campaign to Washington, DC, and New York.
Mitchell, who attended the student meetings, said connecting with young and first-time voters is crucial.
The DNA said it will kick off its overseas campaign soon, with planned visits to Jamaica and Canada.
McCartney said his party will also use Skype, Internet video conferencing, to reach out to students who are abroad.
Last week, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said he is focused on campaigning at home and not grandstanding overseas.
“I am here. I am here in The Bahamas. I campaign here. I don’t do such things. I’m not a showboater. I visit all the constituencies and on the 11th of this month we will visit North Andros, on the 18th we will be in Exuma...that’s where I am,” Ingraham told reporters on the sidelines of a rally in San Salvador last week.
Parliament passed ammendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act enabling eligible Bahamians to vote outside the country. This includes students, staff at Bahamian embassies, high commissions or other foreign missions, and their spouses or members of their immediate families who live with them.
These voters will be able to vote in an advanced poll. Their votes will be stored in sealed ballot boxes which will be returned to The Bahamas and delivered to the parliamentary commissioner.
Feb 07, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Department of Immigration has decreased the number of work permits issued in 2011 by 24 per cent due to the high level of unemployment among Bahamians
Cut in work permits to help Bahamians
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune News Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BECAUSE of the high level of unemployment, the Department of Immigration decreased the number of work permits issued in 2011 by 24 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette said yesterday.
From January 1 to December 31, 2011, the Department of Immigration issued 7,091 work permits, 2,299 less than the 9,390 issued in 2010 and 1,025 less than 2009.
Mr Symonette revealed these statistics while answering questions posed to him by Opposition members in the House of Assembly.
"We are putting Bahamians first," Mr Symonette said.
"We are not issuing permits to foreigners for jobs Bahamians can do. The department has tightened its level of scrutiny on work permit applications and as a consequence 2,299 fewer permits were issued in 2011 than in 2010. Another reason for the decrease is a lot of the companies that were in the Bahamas are no longer here so their employees went with them. To say the economic downturn is the only reason is not entirely correct but it is one of the main reasons."
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year 53 per cent or 3,793 were given to housekeepers and handymen - 1,671 and 2,122 respectively.
Mr Symonette said the reason for the high numbers is because Bahamians simply "don't want the jobs."
"More than half of the work permits went to non-skilled labour. Bahamians complain about the number of work permits we issue and the unemployment rate however they refuse to do the jobs. They think its menial and beneath them and they just won't do it. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too," he said.
"A lot of Bahamian households have Jamaican maids and because Bahamian women rather apply to work in the hotel as housekeepers than in a home. Then you have a large category of Peruvian and Filipino live ins. These people require work permits. You have a large number of Haitian gardeners. I know one man who has had his work permit renewed 20 times because Bahamians just won't do the work."
Work permits for construction workers decreased by 53 per cent, from 565 in 2010 to 291 in 2011. Farm labourers also decreased significantly from 549 to 441. In fact, of the 24 categories of jobs that foreigners were granted work permits in 2011 all but eight saw decreases compared to the same period in 2010.
The categories where increases were seen are listed as follows:
* Cooks: 141 - 145
* Consultants: 51 - 89
* Guest Organisers: 49 - 64
* Maintenance Men: 49 - 59
* Presidents: 0 - 3
* Projects Mangers: 43 - 57
* Surveyors: 25-31
* Attorneys: 0 - 4
Mr Symonette said the government expects more declines in the issuance of voters cards with the introduction of the new training programme, which is designed to provide more Bahamians with skills for jobs now being done by non Bahamians.
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year. 5,958 were issued on new tamper proof, electronic cards.
February 07, 2012
tribune242
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune News Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BECAUSE of the high level of unemployment, the Department of Immigration decreased the number of work permits issued in 2011 by 24 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette said yesterday.
From January 1 to December 31, 2011, the Department of Immigration issued 7,091 work permits, 2,299 less than the 9,390 issued in 2010 and 1,025 less than 2009.
Mr Symonette revealed these statistics while answering questions posed to him by Opposition members in the House of Assembly.
"We are putting Bahamians first," Mr Symonette said.
"We are not issuing permits to foreigners for jobs Bahamians can do. The department has tightened its level of scrutiny on work permit applications and as a consequence 2,299 fewer permits were issued in 2011 than in 2010. Another reason for the decrease is a lot of the companies that were in the Bahamas are no longer here so their employees went with them. To say the economic downturn is the only reason is not entirely correct but it is one of the main reasons."
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year 53 per cent or 3,793 were given to housekeepers and handymen - 1,671 and 2,122 respectively.
Mr Symonette said the reason for the high numbers is because Bahamians simply "don't want the jobs."
"More than half of the work permits went to non-skilled labour. Bahamians complain about the number of work permits we issue and the unemployment rate however they refuse to do the jobs. They think its menial and beneath them and they just won't do it. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too," he said.
"A lot of Bahamian households have Jamaican maids and because Bahamian women rather apply to work in the hotel as housekeepers than in a home. Then you have a large category of Peruvian and Filipino live ins. These people require work permits. You have a large number of Haitian gardeners. I know one man who has had his work permit renewed 20 times because Bahamians just won't do the work."
Work permits for construction workers decreased by 53 per cent, from 565 in 2010 to 291 in 2011. Farm labourers also decreased significantly from 549 to 441. In fact, of the 24 categories of jobs that foreigners were granted work permits in 2011 all but eight saw decreases compared to the same period in 2010.
The categories where increases were seen are listed as follows:
* Cooks: 141 - 145
* Consultants: 51 - 89
* Guest Organisers: 49 - 64
* Maintenance Men: 49 - 59
* Presidents: 0 - 3
* Projects Mangers: 43 - 57
* Surveyors: 25-31
* Attorneys: 0 - 4
Mr Symonette said the government expects more declines in the issuance of voters cards with the introduction of the new training programme, which is designed to provide more Bahamians with skills for jobs now being done by non Bahamians.
Of the 7,091 work permits issued last year. 5,958 were issued on new tamper proof, electronic cards.
February 07, 2012
tribune242
Monday, February 6, 2012
…are there any ‘sexy’ or especially thought-provoking political campaigns that should be more closely watched in the Family Islands this general election season?
Sexy races to watch pt.2
Consider this
By Philip C. Galanis
Last week we reviewed what we believe will be the ‘sexy’ general election races to watch in New Providence, namely Bamboo Town, Montagu and Fort Charlotte.
This week we would like to Consider This…are there any ‘sexy’ or especially thought-provoking campaigns that should be more closely watched in the Family Islands? We can think of several and suggest that those worth watching closely are Long Island, The Exumas and Ragged Island and both Andros seats.
Long Island
Long Island has traditionally been a seat where men have dominated that island’s politics. If Loretta Butler-Turner, the FNM’s candidate, wins there, she will score a historic achievement because there has never been a female Member of Parliament on Long Island. Whether her claim that her grandmother, Sir Milo Butler’s wife Lady Caroline, is from Long Island will be sufficient to gain her the victory remains to be seen. It is more likely that her party affiliation will play a greater role in her successful bid than any familial connection to the island.
Mario Cartwright possibly represents the DNA’s best chance for winning a seat in the upcoming foray. Mario was born on Long Island, lives there and is a known quantity. His father ran for the PLP on Long Island and whether he is able to succeed where his father did not remains to be seen.
Alex Storr, the PLP’s Long Island standard bearer, is neither from there nor does the PLP have a track record of successfully convincing Long Islanders that a PLP should represent them. He has a challenge ahead for his candidacy to gain sufficient traction in order to prevail.
Mangrove Cay and South Andros
None of the candidates in Mangrove Cay and South Andros provide any real inspiration to the people there. Picewell Forbes, the incumbent PLP Member of Parliament, has not been particularly star-studded in Parliament, and his representation of that constituency during the last five years has been lackluster.
Ronald Bosfield, the FNM’s standard bearer and the winner of the by-election in 1997, will best be remembered during his last outing as a nondescript and uninspiring sleeper.
Whitney Bastian, the independent candidate and one-term Member of Parliament for South Andros, also has considerable challenges to conquer.
Wayde Forbes Ferguson, the DNA candidate, is as generally unknown as the other candidates are uninspiring. None of the candidates are thrilling prospects for the people of the constituency that was long-represented by Sir Lynden, who, despite his notable national contributions and legacy, left little of note for his constituents during his many years as their representative. The race in Mangrove Cay and South Andros will, perhaps more than any other, represent a melee of the mediocre.
North Andros and the Berry Islands
The exceptionally impressive candidates in North Andros are at polar opposites to their colleagues in South Andros. Each of the offerings for the three major parties is remarkable in his own right. Captain Randy Butler (DNA), Dr. Perry Gomez (PLP) and Desmond Bannister (FNM) are all stellar candidates, so impressive that it could cause one to wonder in amazement as to whether, at least in the case of the two major parties, the candidates in North Andros were selected by the same persons who chose their South Andros counterparts.
Given his impressive ministerial performance over the past five years, Desmond Bannister is the candidate to beat. He is perhaps the best candidate that the FNM has ever fielded in that constituency although he has taken a calculated risk of abdicating what would have been a safe seat for him in Carmichael. Desmond Bannister was born in Staniard Creek, grew up there and in Mastic Point and has strong family ties in the constituency, which he hopes will contribute to his success.
Dr. Perry Gomez is a prominent medical doctor who is best known for his sustained efforts in the battle against AIDS in The Bahamas. His roots go deep in the Berry Islands and he also hopes that this fact will not be lost on the voters of North Andros.
Captain Randy Butler, the DNA candidate, is a high profile aviation businessman who heads up SkyBahamas and represents the kind of individual who would bring tremendous business experience to Parliament and governance.
This race will be very interesting to watch, although we think that Desmond Bannister presently has the advantage.
The Exumas and Ragged Island
The PLP’s candidate for The Exumas and Ragged Island, Anthony Moss, who is the parliamentary incumbent, is also lackluster, does not excite the voter and has spent a ‘sleepy’ decade in Parliament. His selection is shrouded in controversy and some of the island’s stalwart PLP supporters still question whether the selection process was open, transparent and democratic. Whether some of the prominent PLP stalwarts on Exuma will support him will be an important factor in how that contest will be played out. George Smith’s views about Moss’ parliamentary performance and his electability are well-known and to what extent the party leadership will attempt to reconcile with Smith’s views and that of other noted PLP supporters on Exuma who disagree with Moss’ candidacy will be revealing.
Phenton Neymour, the current FNM Member of Parliament for South Beach has apparently determined that he has been a failed MP in that constituency and has opted to move to Exuma for fear that he might not be re-elected in South Beach. Notwithstanding this, Neymour is personable, outgoing and confident and the FNM party machinery will be in full gear for his candidacy.
Floyd Armbrister, the DNA’s candidate, was born in Steventon, Exuma and is a bright, talkative, aggressive individual who will likely take votes from disgruntled and disaffected PLPs.
Reginald Smith, the independent candidate, is a former ZNS broadcaster, and is currently a realtor on Exuma. He is smart, affable, and speaks with a rich accent. Born in Georgetown, he is an attractive candidate who promises to raise the standard of debate and speak to the vision that Exuma could play an important role in the development of a modern Bahamas.
The contest in The Exumas and Ragged Island is shaping up to be a race best described as one where it appears that the voters don’t like what they have and are not confident of what they might get. The outcome will depend on whether the candidates can count on party loyalties and how the significant number of workers from Long Island who have moved into the Exuma Cays since the last general election will influence the vote.
Conclusion
The stage has been set and the only truism is that “it ain’t long now”! It will be interesting to see, despite the candidates who have already been presented, whether there will be last minute adjustments in candidates for any number of presently unforeseen reasons. The only critical date for concretizing any uncertainty in that regard is nomination day. Nonetheless, there are many sexy races, and in the words of a fallen master politician, “The world is watching”!
•Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to:pgalanis@gmail.com
Feb 06, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Political activity is heating up in The Bahamas, where a general election is due soon... ...On the current standing, there could well be another one-term administration in the works with the Hubert Ingraham-led Free National Movement (FNM) seeming to be highly vulnerable... ...Although investment activity in tourism, its leading sector, is picking up, the negative impact of the global downturn is still being felt in The Islands
Government's Paying The Price For Recession
By Dennis Morrison, jamaica-gleaner Contributor:
One does not have to be a student of political economy to understand how the global financial turmoil of the last four years has shaken up the political landscape.
In the United Kingdom, the Gordon Brown-led Labour Party was the first in a string of casualties arising from the sharp economic downturn which is still reverberating across the globe. It seems not to matter whether ruling parties are of right or left orientation, as dissatisfied voters express their anger by discarding incumbents.
Across the globe, the political environment remains volatile under the impact of widespread joblessness, record mortgage foreclosures, and the massive destruction of wealth.
The prospect that there will be no early relief, and the seeming intractable nature of the European debt crisis, mean that the sour political mood will persist.
In America, the Obama administration and the Democrats have borne the brunt of voter dissatisfaction, even though they inherited the crisis and had acted rapidly to halt the precipitous slide in the economy.
In mid-term elections at the end of 2010, American voters turned on the congressional Democrats and booted them out, as economic malaise deepened, and the ranks of the unemployed swelled. With the slow pace of the recovery and gridlock in Congress, the 2012 elections could see another wild swing of the political pendulum.
In the presidential race, the weakness of the Republican candidates could prove decisive, although President Obama's re-election chances are seen to be heavily tied to the pace of improvement in the job market.
gov'ts toppled
Governments were toppled in Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. In France, the second-largest economy in Europe, presidential elections are due in April, and the latest opinion polls are showing President Nicolas Sarkozy trailing his main rival from the Socialist Party. While it is too soon to count him out, his ratings are being depressed by the slow progress in settling measures to stave off the debt crisis in the Eurozone.
Farther afield, the Opposition Democratic Party of Japan won a historic landslide victory in 2009, reflecting deep economic anxieties in that country which have still not eased. Japan's economy has been undergoing two decades of lethargic growth and is the cause of its continued political fragility.
Latin American countries were among the best-performing economies in the turbulent conditions since 2008, recovering fast from the recession and returning to strong growth. A region which is usually highly volatile, the political mood in Latin America has mirrored the economic stability experienced in recent times. Incumbents in Argentina and Brazil were returned to office, and in Brazil, in particular, the anti-poverty programmes of the Lula administration brought political stability.
Governments in the Caribbean have not been immune to the political backlash from the recession. The ruling People's Progressive Party in Guyana won its fifth consecutive term, helped no doubt by the fact that the Guyanese economy had fared better than most in the region. In St Lucia, the incumbent United Workers Party was thrown out after one term, weighed down by political wrangling and leadership issues, but more important, by difficult economic circumstances.
Role in jlp defeat
History was made in Jamaica with the Jamaica Labour Party administration being the first to have the dubious distinction of losing after one term in office since adult suffrage in 1944. Analysts have put arrogance and corruption at the top of the list of factors responsible for the party's defeat.
I would argue, however, that the fact that the Jamaican economy shrank by more than five per cent in the past four years and job losses climbed to more than 100,000 was a more powerful influence on the electoral outcome.
Political activity is heating up in The Bahamas, where elections are due later this year. On the current standing, there could well be another one-term administration in the works with the Hubert Ingraham-led Free National Movement seeming to be highly vulnerable. Although investment activity in tourism, its leading sector, is picking up, the negative impact of the global downturn is still being felt.
Barbados' election cycle runs to January 2013, and the incumbent government there will also be navigating strong economic headwinds.
Growth-inducing strategies and activities that generate employment are not only important to get regional economies moving again but will influence the political tide in the Caribbean. Politicians will have to show their skills at policymaking and management to survive the tide.
Dennis Morrison is an economist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.
February 5, 2012
jamaica-gleaner
By Dennis Morrison, jamaica-gleaner Contributor:
One does not have to be a student of political economy to understand how the global financial turmoil of the last four years has shaken up the political landscape.
In the United Kingdom, the Gordon Brown-led Labour Party was the first in a string of casualties arising from the sharp economic downturn which is still reverberating across the globe. It seems not to matter whether ruling parties are of right or left orientation, as dissatisfied voters express their anger by discarding incumbents.
Across the globe, the political environment remains volatile under the impact of widespread joblessness, record mortgage foreclosures, and the massive destruction of wealth.
The prospect that there will be no early relief, and the seeming intractable nature of the European debt crisis, mean that the sour political mood will persist.
In America, the Obama administration and the Democrats have borne the brunt of voter dissatisfaction, even though they inherited the crisis and had acted rapidly to halt the precipitous slide in the economy.
In mid-term elections at the end of 2010, American voters turned on the congressional Democrats and booted them out, as economic malaise deepened, and the ranks of the unemployed swelled. With the slow pace of the recovery and gridlock in Congress, the 2012 elections could see another wild swing of the political pendulum.
In the presidential race, the weakness of the Republican candidates could prove decisive, although President Obama's re-election chances are seen to be heavily tied to the pace of improvement in the job market.
gov'ts toppled
Governments were toppled in Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. In France, the second-largest economy in Europe, presidential elections are due in April, and the latest opinion polls are showing President Nicolas Sarkozy trailing his main rival from the Socialist Party. While it is too soon to count him out, his ratings are being depressed by the slow progress in settling measures to stave off the debt crisis in the Eurozone.
Farther afield, the Opposition Democratic Party of Japan won a historic landslide victory in 2009, reflecting deep economic anxieties in that country which have still not eased. Japan's economy has been undergoing two decades of lethargic growth and is the cause of its continued political fragility.
Latin American countries were among the best-performing economies in the turbulent conditions since 2008, recovering fast from the recession and returning to strong growth. A region which is usually highly volatile, the political mood in Latin America has mirrored the economic stability experienced in recent times. Incumbents in Argentina and Brazil were returned to office, and in Brazil, in particular, the anti-poverty programmes of the Lula administration brought political stability.
Governments in the Caribbean have not been immune to the political backlash from the recession. The ruling People's Progressive Party in Guyana won its fifth consecutive term, helped no doubt by the fact that the Guyanese economy had fared better than most in the region. In St Lucia, the incumbent United Workers Party was thrown out after one term, weighed down by political wrangling and leadership issues, but more important, by difficult economic circumstances.
Role in jlp defeat
History was made in Jamaica with the Jamaica Labour Party administration being the first to have the dubious distinction of losing after one term in office since adult suffrage in 1944. Analysts have put arrogance and corruption at the top of the list of factors responsible for the party's defeat.
I would argue, however, that the fact that the Jamaican economy shrank by more than five per cent in the past four years and job losses climbed to more than 100,000 was a more powerful influence on the electoral outcome.
Political activity is heating up in The Bahamas, where elections are due later this year. On the current standing, there could well be another one-term administration in the works with the Hubert Ingraham-led Free National Movement seeming to be highly vulnerable. Although investment activity in tourism, its leading sector, is picking up, the negative impact of the global downturn is still being felt.
Barbados' election cycle runs to January 2013, and the incumbent government there will also be navigating strong economic headwinds.
Growth-inducing strategies and activities that generate employment are not only important to get regional economies moving again but will influence the political tide in the Caribbean. Politicians will have to show their skills at policymaking and management to survive the tide.
Dennis Morrison is an economist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.
February 5, 2012
jamaica-gleaner
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