The Tribune

THE life and times of Sir Clifford Darling, the fourth Governor General of the Bahamas, is being depicted in a pictorial exhibition at the National Insurance Board headquarters in Nassau. Yesterday, the Labour and National Insurance Minister, Shane Gibson, and Sir Clifford’s widow, Lady Ingrid Darling, opened and unveiled the exhibition at Baillou Hill Road.

Sir Clifford, born in Acklins and who died in 2011, was variously MP for Englerston, Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Speaker of the House of Assembly. A former taxi driver, he served as general secretary of the Bahamas Taxicab Union for eight years and as president for ten, during which time he led a blockade that closed the airport. After a general strike in January, 1958, Sir Clifford helped to broker an agreement among hotels, tour services and taxicab operators.

Elected an MP in 1967, Sir Clifford was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of State in 1969 and five years later was responsible for the introduction of the National Insurance programme. Knighted in 1977, he was a Stalwart Councillor, the highest honour that can be bestowed on a member of the Progressive Liberal Party.

The exhibition is presented by the Sir Clifford Darling Heritage Foundation in conjunction with the Sir Clifford Darling Heritage Festival.