By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette said breaking his retirement to re-enter front-line politics is not off the table as the country’s “economic and social wellbeing continues to suffer” under the Christie administration.
Speaking to The Tribune, the former St Anne’s MP said he was “incredibly concerned” about the state of the country.
Mr Symonette, 60, painted a grim picture of the Bahamas’ future saying if the Christie administration continues to fail to fulfil its promises and change the country’s course he would have no choice but to run for office in the next general election.
“For the record as a Bahamian I am incredibly concerned about the future of this country under this Christie-led government,” he told The Tribune during an interview at the Free National Movement’s headquarters on Mackey Street on Sunday.
“I hope that the Christie administration can get its act together and make it better for Bahamians, although I don’t see much hope of that with the way that they are going at the moment.
“So on the record, yes it is a possibility (that I could run for office again).”
Mr Symonette pointed out several of the Christie administration’s challenges and suggested that the government has not lived up to the pre-election promises outlined in the party’s Charter for Governance.
In the lead up to the 2012 election, the PLP promised that it would arrest the escalating crime situation in the country and to spark job creation to reduce unemployment figures.
The Department of Statistics in January announced that the rate of unemployment in the Bahamas had risen to 15.7 per cent in November 2014. This represented an increase of 1.4 per cent from 14.3 per cent that was recorded in May 2014.
The government has fiercely defended its efforts to create jobs with Prime Minister Perry Christie recently saying the unemployment rate resulted from an expansion of the labour force that simply outstripped the growth in jobs.
Also in January, the Royal Bahamas Police Force released its annual crime statistics reporting that while overall crime was down, murders were up by three per cent in 2014.
There were 123 murders recorded in 2014 and up to press time, the country recorded 30 homicides so far for 2015.
Mr Symonette said: “The economic and social wellbeing of this country is going downhill fast. People do not, and I don’t care what they say or what numbers they use, people do not feel safe on the street anywhere. No neighbourhood is safe and no one feels safe.
“Within the circles I move in, people are incredibly concerned about this immigration issue with everyone needing permits to go to school and it is sending shock waves through many offshore companies here.
“Then there is the whole question of value added tax. Is it being properly implemented? So all of that goes into a pot and that is where I am concerned because I only have one passport and I don’t want to live anywhere else but the Bahamas.
“I want to make sure that the Bahamas is a wonderful place for generations of Bahamians born and unborn. Now if that requires me to come back from retirement then so be it,” Mr Symonette said.
Following the FNM’s victory in the May 2007 general election Mr Symonette was sworn in as deputy prime minister. He also was given the post of minister of foreign affairs and immigration.
However, Mr Symonette did not contest his St Anne’s seat in the 2012 election, which saw the FNM defeated by the PLP. FNM MP Hubert Chipman now represents the area.
Comments
ispeakthetruth 9 years, 1 month ago
Whether the Christie administration stays on its downhill course or improves, he should stay out of politics. Other than reducing the high crime rate, I doubt the concerns of the average Bahamian is the same as Symonnette and his circle. The fact that his most pressing concern surrounding immigration is the requirement that foreign parents pay a small permit fee...is very telling of his priorities. What would be worse than a Christie led government for the Bahamas, is a government that includes him.
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
by TalRussell
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Dr: Minnis should be looking over his shoulder all the time. His Papa and Mr Symonette : are just about ready to pull a Tommy Turnquest on him. The PLP has provided many jobs over eight thousand. And what does he mean by the circles he moves in? requiring persons to have passport there is nothing, wrong with that. The FNM party did not have the answer for crime when they were in power and they do not have it now.
duppyVAT 9 years, 1 month ago
Brent has had his time ............... its not about his age, its about his performance and mindset. Our Bahamas has moved past persons of his ilk ....................... aka Pindling/HAI/Perry generation
sansoucireader 9 years, 1 month ago
If you're retired, stay retired.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 1 month ago
Sorry Brent, unlike your half-brother Robert (long deceased), your Pop just didn't leave you with a big enough lick of the brush to enjoy the trust of the Bahamian people. Just enjoy spending the fortune your family sits on today as a result of the criminal activities of your bloodline and the oppression they imposed on many black Bahamians during an era we would all sooner forget. But of course, you have every right to humiliate yourself and your family should you choose to make the foolish decision of actively engaging in politics ever again.
duppyVAT 9 years, 1 month ago
OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cas0072 9 years, 1 month ago
What could he have learned since his retirement that would enable him to save the economy and cut crime, and by crime, I also mean the crime of illegal immigration?
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Comrades no secret I have over the past 12 months blogged encouragements calling for Brent to consider contesting for the party's leadership. I wish could sidestep his first major political blunder on day one right out gate. but I can't,
Brent being a much seasoned in the school of politics starting from the tender age of a toddler should have known better than to launch his leadership aspirations, by daring to mention work permits, and not expect to invite a barrage of reminders of not too distant times past, when it was his responsibility to sign work permits and sign them he sure as hell did A foolish move on day one but can overcome - cuz Brent has great political standing ability, across Bahamaland. Next time be improved political smarter.
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Premier Pop Symonette's Getaway Home in Eleuthera At Heart's Ease, Which Allowed Our Nation's "First Premier" His Timeout to "Keep it Real."
............///https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q8pN...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q8pN...
Publius 9 years, 1 month ago
next...
Girly 9 years, 1 month ago
So what ?come to power to allow all of the immigrants into the country?.PLEASE.GOODBYE.YOUR SPEECH BETRAYETH THEE.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
This is the same Brent Symonett when he was asked why does he not celebrate Bahamian Culture said " I Did NOT COME THAT WAY" now he says the circles he moves in, and he bragged how he lived next to the US Embassy and how they were not only neighbours , but friends Symonett has a "I am better and I am superior complex'. But we know better it is only in his head. Because we know money can not buy the things in this short life that means the most.: And if he does not know that yet he will be finding out very soon.
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Such negative posts.
banker 9 years, 1 month ago
The market noise here is hilarious. I would vote for Symonette. He is not retarded like Perry Christie. He wouldn't tolerate the crap that Minnis takes from his own people. Unlike anyone else, he has a world view of economics. He is not xenophobic like the unwashed, unenlightened here are.
The Bahamas has not advanced, rather it has regressed measuring by economic measures since the criminals in the PLP took over at independence. They have done a good job at elevating a few select Black families, indoctrinating those with narrow minds and poor education to believe in their lies, while robbing them blind, and sacrificing the good of the country and of the people by enriching themselves. And the wonder, glory and astonishment of it all, it that most folks (present company of commentators included here), are too thick to realise that. The sheeple still sing the hosannas of the party as they are led to the slaughter.
Taking a more pragmatic and enlightened solution, as Symonette does, it to take what you have and make some good out of it. If Nature gives you lemons, make lemonade, or switcher or whatever. We have a whole pile of Haitians, illegal, legal, semi-legal, belongers whatever. There will be no Final Solution, like boxing them all up and shipping them back to Haiti. We can close the borders, but we do have a sizable population (estimates between 70,000 and 90,000). SO what do you do with them. Bahamianise them. Turn them into productive citizens that contribute to the economic well-being of the country. They have a heck of a better work ethic than us. They are enterprising. They have something to contribute. They will continue to be a problem if we marginalise them, so let's make them productive. And Lord knows that the Bahamian gene pool needs some chlorine.
The sheeple are doing exactly what the PLP want them to do -- concentrate on the little stuff that doesn't matter, and ignore the economic, political, intellectual and moral desecration of this land.
Carry on smartly, sheeple.
Cas0072 9 years, 1 month ago
Didn't he already spend terms in office in which time he could have done exactly as you described with regards to "Bahamianising" Haitians? Yet, he did as everybody else did. Nothing. In an article earlier this year, he said basically there is no way to properly monitor the borders of the country and that the Bahamas could not afford the technology needed to do so. This leaves deportation and regularization as options, but in the article he opposed documenting them, which is the first step in pursuing either of the aforementioned paths. I know you are trying appear deep, but your generalizations are as narrow minded as anybody else's. You cannot speak for the work ethic of all Bahamians or Haitians, and you cannot speak for Mr. Symonette. His track record on immigration speaks volumes.
ispeakthetruth 9 years, 1 month ago
You have got to be kidding. During his tenure, Mr. Symonette brought politics as usual, i.e. nothing. He fit right in with the other "all for me baby" crowd. He is not the modern, pragmatic and enlightened problem solver as you portray him to be and you know it. You introduce this idea that is not Mr. Symonnette's vision, in fact it directly contradicts his repeated stance of doing nothing. Talk about sheeple...look it up, you might see a picture of yourself.
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Comrades such intentional misguided classifications about a man I seriously doubt, you really believe a word you post. Brent for all his high net wealth, the former deputy prime minister, both in and out of politics has always lived a middle-class lifestyle with simple tastes. Positively reminds me lots of his father our nation's first Premier Pop Symonette.
by TalRussell
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Banker you go right ahead and vote for Symonette. Unwashed unenlightened, The PLP elevated a few black families. Who did Brent Symonett elevate? As for better work ethics. you do not know the work ethics of many Bahamians including mine. You have exposed yourself for what you are. I suppose you and Symonette are of the same kind and move in the same circle. He may live a middle class life. but he has millions and is known for quieting poor people property and calling it small things. How much is enough. ?
banker 9 years, 1 month ago
How's your life going? Is your standard of living climbing year after year? Have you got enough money to retire on? Can you afford everything that you want to?
I don't move at all in Symonette circles. But when I meet the man around town at Harbour Bay, or in a restaurant, or at events, he greets me warmly even though he doesn't know my name. He quietly supports a variety of Bahamian endeavors, including some that no one ever knows about.
I would rather have the government run by a business oligarchy than a retarded kleptomaniac and his band of unpatriotic, unwashed, odious, in-the-closet hypocrites and tiefs.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Really Banker what is this unwashed business all about. May I say again if you or any of those including Symonett have any information about any one stealing . It is your duty to go to the police., and report the matter. Well I guess you can say you run in his circle or you are trying hard to get in. The circle seems to be made up with mean spirited people. He supports Bahamian endeavors that no one knows about. now that is very telling no one knows about them just you.. really.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Banker when you met him again in the circles you both move in,ask him if he would consider giving the poor people whose property he quieted back to them. Also ask him about the Ambrister Family who had to go, all the way to the privy council to get their property back from whom, he knows let him tell you, The privy council gave them their property back, the other poor people I know did not have the means.
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