Ingraham has the last laugh over referendum

As of Tuesday, January 29, 2013

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham insisted that he is not responsible for the numbers referendum becoming a political issue.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham

Speaking yesterday, Mr Ingraham said it was Prime Minister Perry Christie who first suggested the referendum would be on the same level as last year’s May 7 general election and October 15 by-election.

He spoke to reporters just moments after both he and his wife Delores cast ballots at the CC Sweeting School in Oaksfield.

“I don’t propose,” Mr Ingraham said, “to get into a ‘you say and I say’ with Mr Christie, but I will say this: it was the Prime Minister who announced at a place on Carmicheal Road when they were opening a bank that he was going to beat Minnis and the FNM as he did in the general election. And as he did in the by-election in Abaco. If that was not political you tell me what is.”

Asked to respond to Mr Christie’s comment that the final decision on whether to legalise web-shops will remain the government’s, Mr Ingraham reiterated his stance that the decision to move forward with the referendum made no sense.

“The people of the Bahamas can’t change the law. The law can only be changed by Parliament and so it’s the PLP government as the majority. They are the ones that are going to vote yes or no to change the law – whether people come out and vote or not.

“The fix was always in; they made a deal with the numbers people before the election. They are now trying to continue with that deal.

“We who are voting no are trying to make sure that they can’t deliver on that deal because they would be going against public opinion,” Mr Ingraham said.

“Since they dared to ask us, we’ll tell them no.”

reverendrichlive 11 years, 2 months ago

Mr.Igraham, if as you say, " I don't propose to get into a " you say and I say with Mr Christie", then go to say, " but I will say this "...you lose all credibility. For in so diong you are engaging in a " you say I say." You cannot have it both ways. You, who should be enjoying your retirement should keep your mouth shut. But we Bahamians know empty barrels makes the most noise...and when ya dumb ya dangerous. Mr Igraham, you had your chances. You did not have the WILL to even bring this to the Bahamian people. Prime Minister Mr. Christie did. That's true leadership.
You are, therefore part of the problem. Now that you have lost power you want to take "cheap shot" at Mr Christie and the PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL Party, it does not work like that. Take a pill and CHILL. By the way, who is the true and present leader of the failed FNM? Who ever you are, watch it, Mr. Igraham is stealing your " spot light "...em...em !

MartGM 11 years, 2 months ago

I don't understand everyone's gripe with Mr. Ingraham commenting on the referendum. In every other country in the world former heads of state comment on issues of the day. Why is Mr. Ingraham insulted and hated because he did the same?

On occasion Former President George Bush Sr. even comments on issues every so often and he was about 3 Presidents ago... So what exactly is the problem?

tonymontana 11 years, 2 months ago

Is not Mr Ingraham a citizen of the Bahamas? The barrel making the most noise would be you . A small segment of the populace made a call so whats your gripe against this citizen who like countless others made the deal the prime minster made with the numbers guys null and void, go sit in your little corner and eat your sour grapes , the people have spoken As for the leadership of the fnm methinks that your good leader ought to be looking out for the forces that are assembling .be brave be brave

tonymontana 11 years, 2 months ago

the former prime minister said it best @martgm. Ingraham ingraham , Ingraham . if it rains on sunday blame HI, if your child gets a D average rating blame HI, Pookey gets the girl pregnant blame HI, Your son kills another blame HI ( then post it on a bill board for all to see)The sun wont shine blamne HI, and on and on and on

TalRussell 11 years, 2 months ago

Both Hubert and PM Christie know what we don't know. What it's like to be PM and the heavy burdens you must constantly deal with on the job.

Remarkably, they do have similarities. Yet , both work at projecting two totally different public images.

I am not so easily fooled. Their similarities. Both may be politically different but not when it comes to allowing their ego's to get the better part of them.

What is the proof? Both men had little political reason to each test Bahamians with the only two referendums ever in Bahamaland's long history. Not surprisingly, they were the chief architects behind why both referendums ultimately would meet with failure.

I respect both men and do find them pretty darn interesting to watch in the political arena. Just maybe their many years as former law partners and close friends has a lot to do with their similarities.

What I do honestly believe is that neither one of them is corruptible in office, when it comes to financially lining their own pockets for personal benefit.

Good and decent men who love their Bahamaland. Absolutely. But can also be misguided and allow their large ego's to get to the best of their otherwise exceptional political smarts.

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by TalRussell

SDRFC 11 years, 2 months ago

Bahamians do not trust government to implement equitable policies that ensure inclusion and access for ALL a. Politicos and are seen as gatekeepers of prosperity for a select few and “special interests” 2.Bahamians are historically/culturally complicit and comfortable being ruled by “special interest” (Slaveowners, Merchant class, Bay Street Boys, foreign developers/investors, religious, Junkanoo, and other industrial entrepreneurial conglomerates) a. Of the 172,130 registered voters in 2012, less than 25% of the electorate opposed -75% of Bahamians either want Webshops/Lottery or they simply don’t care about their existence. Most (60%) didn’t care enough to regulate/tax or stop it -The government was willing to allow a handful of webshop owners to take the lion’s share of monies generated from webshop gaming as opposed to creating a system where the majority of the monies went to the participants/players b. A small minority of Bahamians can still control the economic opportunities of the majority -Less than 15% of the entire population of the Bahamas (300,000) determined subsequent impacts of the majority -Foreign investors (special interests) are provided the opportunity to petition/apply and own gambling establishments -Less than 1% of Bahamians own the total wealth produced by the country -It took political contributions from a handful of webshop owners for the Government to even deal with the issue of webshop gaming c. Assume of that 25% that won (NO Votes), there were 4 major factors -Religious/Ideology/moral (church) -Lack of Trust in Government (influenced by special interest) -Lack of a clear implementation plan/unreadiness -Political (Anti-PLP, FNM, or DNA)
The majority of Bahamians simply did not care either way on the issue and abstained from voting - 60% of Bahamian registered (based 2012 elections) did not vote
Voter turnout may indicate Bahamians are okay with being 2nd Class citizens in their own country a. Gambling is legal “IN” the Bahamas. Just not for Bahamians b. Foreigners are allowed to reside, own, employ and operate gambling establishments and become millionaires. Bahamians cannot. c. Bahamians can shuffle and deal, count the foreigners’ riches, serve cocktails and food, fluff pillows, rush and kalik-kalik through the casino/hotels entertaining gamblers, but as long as they tithes on Sundays, they are righteous in Gods eyes.
The millions of dollars spent on webshop gaming will continue to go to a select few who will go 100% online and transact payouts via online/bank accounts, prepaid reloadable credit/debit cards
Webshop owners still win in the end and the treasury of the Bahamas will have to go fishing for another source of revenue, another foreign development project, or just simply borrow more money from the IDB or whomever else to pay its bills while remaining the land of sun, sand, sea, and opportunity…for some……smdh

hellorg 11 years, 2 months ago

kinda disagree w the premise of the subject heading of this article. Here is how this plays out;

PM request to close all gaming as per the "will of the people".
Wayne Munroe files an injunction (which he has committed too effective immediately).
Whether or not Wayne wins, PM become the guy that "tried" to enforce the will of the people but was subsequently circumvented and/or by "The Courts". He can now wash his hands on this debacle.

Again, im not sure this is a win for FNM (and/or church etc.).

B_I_D___ 11 years, 2 months ago

editor

Oakesfield?

nationbuilder 11 years, 2 months ago

HATERS

bigdee 11 years, 2 months ago

did not the number bosses say they if the vote was no they will closed now they changed their mind i know they miss all that money i mean they got the most big time lawyer in the country voww waited and see how this one will be played we know god have last say i say to pastors fast and pray don't rel ex do not relex

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