First published in The Tribune on Friday, February 29, 2008 under the byline, Young Man's View.
AT the PLP convention last week, none of the much touted, so-called future leaders stepped forward to challenge present leader Perry Christie, and thereby showed themselves, in the opinion of many, to be nothing more than a weak cabal of jelly-belly pretenders.
Although the PLP’s leadership bench is not that deep, they practically handed the FNM the next election by refusing to address the inevitable. It presently remains unclear as to who is in line for the leadership of the PLP.
Last week’s convention showed that the PLP has once again slipped on a rind of slothfulness and fallen into a time warp, choosing to give the bogus impression of harmony rather than pursuing change. Can you imagine the party’s hierarchy fighting and verbally jostling in a smoke-filled room about returning Mr Christie—unopposed—to the party’s helm, merely to create a perception of unanimity? The convention was supposed to represent a new beginning for the PLP, but no one even contested the deputy leader position.
The convention’s pointless theme was “the way forward”, however the PLP stepped backwards and contradicted their very own election mantra “no turning back.” Having watched the televised coverage of the convention, it’s apparent that hardly any tangible ideas or ground-breaking policies were addressed by most of the speakers. Although speakers such as Raynard Rigby did promote transformation and the incorporation of new ideas on governance, several members of the party’s old guard rambled on about the white oligarchy and used perverse rhetoric that undoubtedly pleased the party’s base and seemed to be yet another attempt at further polarizing our country (along political and racial lines). Several of the convention speakers seemed delusional and did a great disservice to the Bahamian people by making untrue statements on a public platform.
Frankly, little substance was gleaned from the convention, and once again the PLP persisted—as does the FNM—with a continuous recycling of washed-up, political has-beens. At this rate, it is highly unlikely that their will be a political earthquake at the 2010 general elections.
In addressing the PLP’s leadership, Paulette Zonicle, a member of the convention’s organizing committee said:
“They will not be challenged, but the leader and deputy leader will announce at an appropriate time what they are going to do and how they will do it, but in the next few years you will see a metamorphosis of change as it relates to the PLP."
With only four years before the next general election, is Ms Zonicle suggesting that the PLP will transform itself in the next four years—in the run-up to the election? Ms Zonicle and others must know that her party’s molasses-like transition could likely splinter the organization ahead of an election and once again result in them swaying in the political abyss.
The uncontested re-election of former PM Perry Christie as the party’s leader highlights the PLP’s refusal to accept change. By the next election, Mr Christie will be almost 70!
During his address, Mr Christie laid out no plan of action and simply resorted to criticizing the FNM. Instead of offering new ideas and solutions to the burning issues now facing Bahamian society, Mr Christie used the surge in violent crimes, for example, as a political football. But, Mr Christie, why is the PLP ready to return as the government? Is it possible that neither Mr Christie nor his party sees the political writing on the wall?
Early in his term as PM, Christie pledged that there would be transparency and accountability in his government. However, we saw feebleness during the five years of his administration and an uncanny practice of concealment when it comes to government affairs, Heads of Agreements and scandals. The multitude of scandals that had erupted and Mr Christie’s dithering and failure to address them may have permanently wrecked his legacy. Under Mr Christie’s watch, his government was plagued by scandal, corruption and internal strife. The MP for Farm Road seemed like a deer caught in the headlights, as he has fumbled, bumbled and been wishy-washy with regard to several major issues that have confronted his administration over the past five years.
Mr Christie does have his high points, particularly as he had tried to introduce a consensus government. However, his overly laidback approach to this form of governance was unsuccessful, especially since hardly any of Mr Christie’s appointed commissions ever reported. Perry Christie has proven to be a weak leader. Whatever his virtues are, his faults far outweighed them. Surely, I thought it would have taken more than the Christie shuffle to save him this time! I was wrong!
While Mr Christie was a fancy talker (little action) who dithered for a considerable proportion of his term, I do credit him with maintaining a stable economy, initiating the Urban Renewal Programme that he championed to provide opportunities for inner city residents and discourage crime, his decision to revitalize historic Nassau and relocate the ports, the establishment of the Clifton Heritage Park and his efforts to attract foreign investors/capital to our shores.
With that said, as with most former leaders of countries that suffer election defeats, Mr Christie should have begun grooming potential successors and stepped down. In our parliamentary democracy, which adheres to the statues of the Westminster system, Mr Christie should take a cue from former Barbadian PM Owen Arthur’s example and relinquish his post as party leader and parliamentary leader.
If reports are true, Mr Christie deserves credit for appearing to have at least accepted his share of the blame for his party’s defeat at the polls. However, by this time Mr Christie should have gracefully bowed out!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHAIRWOMAN GLENNYS HANNA-MARTIN!
The PLP’s selection of Glennys Hanna-Martin to the post of party chairman was a step in the right direction. Mrs Martin’s historic victory led to her becoming the first female political party chairperson.
The MP for Englerston is a bright spot in the party, who is potentially an agent of change. By all appearances, she seems knowledgeable about the whole apparatus of the party and is a long-standing member of the organization who seems to appreciate the past but can also re-unite the party and embrace the future.
