The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I wish to respond to a letter to the editor which I suspected was written by a coward PLP letter writer whose aim and objective are to sow seeds of disunity in the FNM. The letter was not signed by the suspected PLP but “A loyal FNM and Minnis Supporter.”

As I said the assertion that the FNM engaged in victimization while in office is not true and such an allegation cannot be substantiated by the record.

I know of no incidences where any of my colleague ministers, including the former Prime Minister, engaged in the practice of victimization.

The Rt. Hon Hubert Ingraham and FNM Ministers made it a hallmark of successive administrations to serve for the betterment of all Bahamians, including their political opponents.

It must never be forgotten that Hubert Ingraham and the FNM were forced to broadcast their 1992 general election campaign message from Florida because the PLP-led Government refused to permit the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS) to freely cover the campaign.

Mr. Ingraham and other FNMs suffered tremendous victimization at the hands of the PLP. The FNM has always been and remains inextricably bound to principles of good governance, accountability, transparency and fair play in Government. The FNM has always loathed victimization and finds its practice abhorrent.

Political victimization by the PLP did not begin with the new Christie-led Government. This was standard practice for the Pindling-led PLP which doled out political favours to supporters and punished opponents.

The first FNM Government led by Hubert Ingraham brought all those despicable practices to an end. Wherever possible and practicable the influence of politicians was removed from all applications to the Government for any service, permit or franchise.

Sadly, since the general election some of the terrible victimizing traits from the Pindling-era of the PLP have been reintroduced.

The new Christie-led Government is terminating employment contracts without cause, discontinuing job-creation programmes and stopping and cancelling small public works contracts for required works being competently carried out by Bahamian companies especially in the Family Islands — all with a view to dispensing favours to the PLP faithful.

It is clear to all who wish to see that the Christie led PLP has engaged in the practice of victimization which has put many Bahamians on the unemployment line. The PLP slogan “Bahamians First” has in reality been “PLP Bahamians First”.

DION A. FOULKES

Nassau,

September 9, 2012.