EDITOR, The Tribune.
The chairman of the PLP has advised the media that he shares the prime minister’s view that it is not unreasonable for politicians to intervene with bankers on behalf of their political friends.
It is amazing that men with so many years in public life, in the case of the prime minister 40 years in Parliament, do not understand the inappropriateness of a senior politician – in this case, the most senior politician in the land, calling a private sector business in search of a favour and preferential treatment for a friend.
It seems that it never occurred to the Prime Minister to have someone less politically exposed than he make the inquiry into what assistance a bank could theoretically make available to someone with a delinquent home mortgage threatened with foreclosure.
What is more, having decided to make the call himself, the Prime Minister did not suggest to the banker that he or any of his personal and private associates were seeking to assist a friend with a delinquent home mortgage. He did not volunteer to assist to bring the mortgage current. He did not even explore with the banker whether there was still an opportunity for the individual to renegotiate the terms of his monthly mortgage payment to bring it to a level he would be able to maintain regularly going forward.
Instead, the Prime Minister reported to Parliament that he personally called the banker and asked what he, as Prime Minister, could do to help his friend with a delinquent mortgage save his residence from foreclosure by the bank.
This was not a friend trying to help a friend. This was not a personal inquiry. This was an overt exercise of political pressure to influence the private business decisions of a bank. This is an example of misuse and abuse of political office.
That the difference is not evident to either the prime minister or the chairman of his political party speaks volumes.
CECILE EVANS
Nassau,
March 19, 2014
Comments
birdiestrachan 10 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Lightboure must have a plan as to how he will pay off his mortgage, The bank will not allow him to stay in the house if he did not. Many persons have no plans as to how they will pay. High interest rates and late fees add up. There are quite number of persons who have a problem with Mr. Lightbourne They are just plain mean spirited.
birdiestrachan 10 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Evans how do you know what discussion Mr. Christie had with the Banker. The Truth is you do not know. You are making this story up as you go along.
moncurcool 10 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Evans you are on point. The sad reality is that there are too many people who are looking through this with political eyes. Imagine Obama making such a statement at a press briefing. He would have been impeached. The Prime Ministers abused his powers in working on behalf of a friend and not on behalf of all the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 1 month ago
Birdie, You just aint getting it. The PM overstepped his authority. He is not elected to intimidate bankers into doing favors for his friends. What Perry did was to subtly threaten the banker. That is the message he sent.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID