The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is celebrating its third year in office following its re-election in 2012. This is a wonderful time to give thanks to God and to the people of this wonderful little nation for allowing us to govern, again, on behalf of the people of The Bahamas. I hope that we, corporately, will worship at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries where Apostle Raymond Wells is senior pastor.

All is not well with our governance and too many of our leaders would appear to have either lost sight of the original philosophy of the Progressive Liberal Party or may have become derailed and detached from ordinary people. Some have called me an opportunist. Others have called me worse.

What none, however, have been able to call me, so far, is a political Chameleon.

It is very unfortunate that in this country when you oppose the policy or implementation of the same by a party in power, one is perceived and treated as being against it. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am a PLP in the original form. No one is able to successfully challenge my credentials. I am not a Johnnie-come-lately pseudo PLP.

As we approach the third year, however, all is not well with the nation and there are too many outstanding issues and concerns. The long vexing problem of illegal immigration and migration must be addressed; trade imbalance is another serious concern; the delayed opening and the unseemly public squabbling between the Baha Mar principals and the government; red tape and the ease of opening and doing business; the disconnect with the people and the inability or unwillingness to conceptualise a non partisan approach to crime and punishment.

The PLP has been lurching, like a drunken sailor, from pillar to post. This might be a source of amusement, but I am deadly serious as we are talking about the long lasting impact and effect on the lives of regular Bahamians. We need to regain that focus that we once had. It is not about preening; posturing and talking us to a literal death from and oratorical point of view.

Some say that we have no monies but the following must be done in short order. We must:

1) Fully open and staff the Critical Care Block at PMH;

2) We must ensure that the Rand Hospital in Freeport is up and running and the ambulatory and medical services are available on a regular and timely basis. The long awaited opening of the Exuma Hospital is atrocious and a disgrace;

3) A form of national youth service must be introduced spearheaded by Dr Daniel Johnson (PLP-Carmichael), whom I have already publicly endorsed for re-election;

4) At least one additional high school must be constructed in City 2000 or the Western District of New Providence along with a section for a primary school and special needs;

5) Additional building lots must be made available in New Providence for buyers at affordable prices. The government needs to get out of the home building business and simply designate or select a handful of qualified building contractors to construct homes in a government approved and laid out subdivision. Crown land must also be freed up here and in the Family Islands;

6) Limited and phased in roll out of a national health care scheme. The nation simply cannot afford a more elaborate or expensive model at this time. All of our clinics, inclusive  of those on the Family Islands, must be immediately upgraded; spruced up and fully stocked with critically needed equipment and supplies;

7) A new Judicial Complex at the old Victoria Gardens Complex is badly needed and long overdue. Our Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges work under extremely cramped and debilitating conditions. The ambience is poor and security is laughable.

If the PLP were to ramp up its public relations and marketing division, it would win the next general elections hands down. I have outlined seven core points that need attention. I love the PM and I am more than prepared to allow him whatever additional time he might require to flesh out the establishment of his political legacy, but he has to move with more speed.

We have no more time to waste and certainly, we do not expect to be gratuitously relegated to Hell because of our considered opinions. Delusions; dead people and holograms will no longer cut it. Another interesting scenario is the succession within the PLP and the FNM. That question, of course, does not arise within the DNA because it has a one man band sort of leader who cannot, seemingly, call a convention or be challenged.

The PM had a serious stroke a few years ago. He was obliged to step back and permit Cynthia “Mother” Pratt to act in his stead. She was able to hold the ship steady while he recuperated. Since his return to high office, Christie has traversed the globe several times and is to be seen all over the place doing this and doing that while pontificating, ad nauseam. He has refused/failed to take a much needed vacation since 2012. This is dangerous and not advisable.

Succession is a topic which Bahamian leaders are loath to contemplate or even discuss. Some of us believe and act as if we are immortal. Others behave and believe, seemingly, that they were ordained to hold power and sway for time without end. No, my brothers and sisters, it does not go like that. Sir Lynden went the way of his ancestors. Carlton Francis went down the same road as did Wallace Whitfield; Clarence Bain and countless others, as we all will.

The PLP must start planning now for succession. I advocated that the party embrace and gather around Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis (PLP-Cat Island) in an organised and decent manner. We are not about over throwing Brother Christie, but we are deadly serious about Brave’s elevation, at the appropriate time and with the support of the majority of right thinking members of the iconic PLP.

Yes, we acknowledged that there might be one or two others who aspire to the Celestial Throne, but it was Brave who, almost single handily, raised campaign funds for a whole dray load of suspected lazy PLP candidates during the last general elections; ensured that a large amount of the party’s debts were paid off in a timely fashion and that cabinet positions were fairly allocated.

Since his appointment, Brave has made a number of missteps but they are not scandalous or fatal to his political advancement, despite the opinions of some in the media. He urgently needs to do some cosmetic makeovers; brush up on his oratorical skills and seek to change his dour political persona.  He has the fabled gravitas, but does he have the fire in his belly to eventually become Prime Minister?

I have never hidden or attempted to conceal my respect; admiration and support for Brave. Some ask why I support him so stridently. Some think it is about money, others who are less charitable say that he and I are lodge brothers and Sons of Hiram Abiff or followers of The Great Architect of the Universe. Brave and I share unusual childhood experiences. Yes, we are Sons of Hiram and yes we are fellow travellers on the road to enlightenment.

It is precisely because of these shared traits and attributes that I will walk the last mile of the way with Brave and, figuratively, die for our Common Cause. This is not a fly by night affiliation and goes beyond mere politics. Brave and I are friends for life and I view him as my natural political leader and guru. I make absolutely no apologies for this unshakeable posture.

Christie, however, is still substantially, Prime Minister and we must treat him with the proper respect and decorum. Bahamians, however, are not able to wait much longer for the deliverance of real hope and help. Once Christie would have established his long pursued legacy, he will be obliged to exit the centre stage before he is booed off. We now have to start thinking out of the box and, in fact, to break out of the box.

Brave will ascend in order and decency. When he does so, however, colleagues like Shane Gibson (PLP-Golden Gates) must play a vital role in leadership and he must be recognised as the next potential DPM and Deputy Leader of the PLP. We are not, out of respect and a firm commitment to King Eric Gibson, going to leave Shane behind. To God then, in all things, be the glory!

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr

Nassau,

April 23, 2015.