By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Chief Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie said he feels a great sense of personal vindication having not only defeated former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham but also sending him into retirement following his landslide victory in the May 7 general election.
"That is now history. I have demonstrated that not only could I beat him, but I have beaten him decisively. I have sent him into retirement. I also beat every Cabinet Minister he had who lost their seat in the last general election," Mr Christie said.
The Progressive Liberal Party, led by Mr Christie secured 29 of the 38 seats in the House of Assembly on May 7 - leaving the Free National Movement with only nine seats.
Following his party's defeat, Mr Ingraham shocked his supporters by not only announcing that he would resign as leader of the party, but also his seat in the House of Assembly. That resignation is expected to take place on June 19th.
In his emotional address on May 7, Mr Ingraham thanked all of his party's candidates, members, and supporters throughout the country for their loyalty, support, and kindness towards him and his family.
"To my grandchildren who named me 'Papa', I want to thank them for their encouragement. I thank my children for their love and support. I thank my wife most profusely for standing with me.
"I know somewhere in heaven 'Mama' is smiling on her boy. I promised her I would do the best I could while I was here and I did. From the bottom of my heart I thank all," he said.
Yesterday Prime Minister Christie said that he is still "waiting to see" if Mr Ingraham will retire as promised.
"From the point of view of political action on my part, I will not take any steps as such time that I know for a fact that he has retired. I would imagine that everyone knows who our candidate (for what would then be the vacant North Abaco seat) would be (Ricardo Curry). I would expect that he is doing whatever is necessary now to continue to keep himself in the eyes of the people in that constituency," Mr Christie said.
Moving forward, the Prime Minister said that he is pleased to be leading the country at this time as he feels that the nation requires someone with his "temperament and personality" to draw the levels of investment that are needed "quickly" in the Bahamas.
Comments
242 11 years, 10 months ago
And PM Christie is STILL calling Ingraham's name. Jealousy is a serious thing. Please oh please you Bell Nottage Davis can you all MOVE on.
Lockhart 11 years, 10 months ago
The PM was asked a question...Do you want him to say No comment?? How many times have the PM mentioned Christie's name while in Office...Come on...You all need to move on and lick your wounds that the Bahamian people have given you.
242 11 years, 10 months ago
Oh my bad....I will read again to look for the Question....
242 11 years, 10 months ago
For the Prime Minister it is starting to seem more like a personal vendetta for him. His goal apparently was to defeat Hubert Ingraham. And now he is trying his best to destroy his name.
"That is now history. I have demonstrated that not only could I beat him, but I have beaten him decisively......." Mr Christie said.
242 11 years, 10 months ago
The wounds the Bahamian people gave? Are you referring to the 48%?
jes242 11 years, 10 months ago
The leader of a country (whoever it may be) should not be happy over the defeat of the opposition. Christie seems a bit childish to me for saying this. He is happy over the failure of Ingraham, while he should be celebrating the Bahamas. He should rather be saying that he will vindicate himself by improving the Bahamas that he is now in charge of. Winning the election is only half the battle, he will not be vindicated until we are able to see his promises fulfilled by the end of his term.
TalRussell 11 years, 10 months ago
A positive forward move for our tiny and much beloved Bahamaland when we have a sitting Prime Minister that can deal with his opposition members, without having to resort to outright lies that defy decency and common sense. Mr. PM our Bahamaland elected "You" because they really believe You can be Trusted. They didn't elect the PLP. There are some in your party that must be told why they got elected.
242 11 years, 10 months ago
It seem like PM Christie trying to reassure voters that they made the right decision by putting the PLP in. Maybe because of complaints by members in the past weeks. But I think your actions should reassure your supporters not blaming everything under the sun on the past government.
242352 11 years, 10 months ago
Great Mr. PM,
Now please start to get to work, you won now get to work on solving all these proplems. You are 30 days in and 5 years will be here fast so please get to work.
And best of luck, we all need to work for the better of the Bahamas, no matter who won or lost or what color shirt we wore!
242 11 years, 10 months ago
That one name Forward Upward Onward Together
concernedcitizen 11 years, 10 months ago
i think he dyes his eyebrows too .......................
Concerned 11 years, 10 months ago
I would think that on June 06, 2012 we would have had a public statement from the Prime Minister on the state of murders in the country; condemning acts of violence, assuring justice and calming the deathly fears of the nation. But rather than this, the PM resorts to old political talks. Campaign is over Mr. Christie, this is our lives and the lives of our children that are in your hands now and no disrespect Sir, but we are getting seriously concerned with your government.
Arob 11 years, 10 months ago
I am concerned. The heavy security details, permits for concealed weapons, both Houses, Boards, and committees filled with cronies, police motorcades with outriders, cars and jeeps combined, these visible signs bring to mind a Hollywood enactment of a third world African country with a propped up dictator. My fellow Bahamians, what have we created?
sturrup2 11 years, 10 months ago
It continuously amazes me how so many people idolize a person who gave cabinet information to a foreign goverment, gave control of the local economy to special intrests and Foreigners, condoned the scandalous rape of the sea park in Exuma and covertly showed contempt and total disregard for the Bahamian people (just to name a few of his indiscretions). HAI should be arrested, tried and given his just punishment for such dispicable actions. I guess some Bahamians hate he PLP more than they love their own country.
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