The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement has called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to “submit to the will of the people” and call an early election, insisting that the “ineffective and visionless” leadership of the government has led to the deterioration of the Bahamian society.

According to a statement released by the party on Tuesday, the country is “rapidly descending into hopelessness and despair” as a result of the lackluster decisions made by Mr Christie and members of his Cabinet.

The FNM noted that scores of Bahamians are either unemployed, living in fear of violent crimes or suffering from the imposition of VAT - all while nation’s leader floats around with no sense of direction or purpose.

“Evidently, Prime Minister Christie is asleep at the wheel and does not possess the wherewithal or the ability to shepherd us through these difficult times,” the FNM’s statement read.

The party said the resignations of Elizabeth MP Ryan Pinder and Central and South Eleuthera MP Damien Gomez from Cabinet, combined with the departures of Marco City MP Greg Moss, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Fort Charlotte MP Andre Rollins from the party, is evidence that Mr Christie’s weak and unproductive leadership is not the right fit for the Bahamas.

The statement highlighted the fact that all five men were touted during the 2012 general election campaign by Mr Christie as his party’s “new generation of leaders.”

The FNM mocked the fact that three years since the election, some of the “next generation leaders” have lost complete faith in Mr Christie as the bridge to their political futures. The statement added that both Mr Gomez and Mr Pinder were fully aware of Cabinet and parliamentary salaries prior to seeking political office.

It was revealed this week that Mr Gomez has resigned from his post as minister of state for legal affairs for financial reasons, but remains a member of the Progressive Liberal Party.

Last December, Mr Pinder resigned as minister of financial services to take up a lucrative job offer at Deltec Bank & Trust.

The FNM suggested that unless the men manage their personal finances similar to the manner in which Mr Christie runs the Ministry of Finance, the country should not accept claims that they left due to financial considerations.

The party also said it is the best alternative to the PLP.

“Dr Hubert Minnis (FNM leader) is a man committed to serving our party and country for the long-term benefit to present and future generations of Bahamians. To this end, Dr Minnis has assembled an impressive and competent cadre of outstanding men and women to become the next government of the Bahamas. This team comprises a perfect balance of vibrant, young intellectuals and seasoned veteran professionals.

“This team will deliver us from (Perry Christie) and usher us into that new and better Bahamas as candidates armed to take the Bahamas out of this Christie mess,” the statement added.

When asked on Monday if the public should be concerned about the status of the government due to Mr Gomez’s resignation, Mr Christie said: “Do I look unhappy?”

“Do they look unhappy,” he asked, referring to the Cabinet ministers flanking him, during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.