Exactly 1 year ago, the Progressive Liberal Party returned to office on the back end of the most crippling economic crisis since the Great Depression. It must be noted that the said economic spanned most of the FNM’s 2007-2012 term in office. Nevertheless, the PLP reclaimed the government through classic Machiavellian political tactics, an unrelenting and often sleazy propaganda machine,  and most significantly, a Charter complete with lofty promises and goals. In their first 100 days, the most disgraceful 100 days of governance in Bahamian history, the new PLP government embarked upon a systematic “purging” exercise summarily firing or reassigning hundreds of civil servants suspected or known FNM supporters. As such, the only accomplishment of the PLP government in the first 100 days was to engage in mass political retaliation against FNM’s and the provision of blatant political patronage to many unqualified and previously retired PLP operatives. We then began to witness a litany of missteps and abuses indicative of the “PLP way” such as:

 

1. The insulting denials to the Bahamian people by the Prime Minister who constantly claims to be “UNAWARE” of the actions taken by and on behalf of his government. 

2. The blatant lie of reacquiring  the 2% stake and subsequent controlling interest in BTC knowing full well the deal was irreversible. 

3. The failed promise of Mortgage Relief to delinquent homeowners if they voted PLP, knowing full well that the final decision belonged to the financial institutions.

4. The blatant pressuring of RBPF officials to manipulate and “doctor” crime statistics and to under report criminal activity.

5. The failed promise of DOUBLING THE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION while actually DIVESTING FROM EDUCATION via tuition and fee hikes beginning in the upcoming school year.

6. The shameful and disgraceful exclusion of COB students from the House of Assembly proceedings while campaigning on a promise of the inclusion and elevation of youth during their term in office.

7. The mass rehiring of retired PLP operatives to strategic positions in government to the exclusion of a cadre of qualified and competent young men and women.

8. The distasteful and disrespectful handling of the farewell speech of the former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham.

 

This list is illustrative but not exhaustive and speaks to the epic failure of the PLP to conduct the affairs of state in a manner befitting progressive 21st century governance. While it is virtually impossible to escape the next 4 years of governance under the PLP, it is important for the Bahamian people to “keep score” and to evaluate them critically on their promises vis-a-vis their delivery of the same. We in the FNM continue to not only evaluate them, but we have begun readying ourselves to once again restore our Commonwealth to decency, order and good governance. The Commonwealth lives on!    

 

Respectfully,

Howard R. Johnson, MPA

Former FNM Candidate

Central & South Eleuthera