The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE 2017 general election will be a measure of pitch-perfect campaigns rather than base support or popularity, according to former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson, who yesterday projected that no political party held any “real” advantage going into the polls.

Speaking candidly on the pre-election political landscape, the former Free National Movement Cabinet minister remarked on an unprecedented level of discontent from Progressive Liberal Party supporters towards the government, but quickly noted that the Official Opposition has not been able to capitalise on this phenomenon.

He also criticised the bloated number of Cabinet ministers, calling for a limit of 11 portfolios in addition to that of the prime minister, and better wages for MPs.

“There are a number of things going on in the political arena right now,” he said. “I have never seen PLPs more upset with their government than they are today. What that means is to be seen because during the course of the campaign there will be a contest between FNM and PLP, and probably the DNA, and right now in my view, whichever one of them presents the most attractive slate and the best plan will win. I don’t see any real advantage at this point.

“Of course these things tend to come together in the course of the actual election campaign,” he added.

The inner-workings of the FNM and its embattled Leader Dr Hubert Minnis were thrust back into the spotlight this week, when Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key lambasted Dr Minnis in a report in The Nassau Guardian. The 78-year-old MP told the local daily he will not run again on the FNM’s ticket and claimed that Dr Minnis was not a man of his word.

The Central and South Abaco Free National Movement Constituency Association, in response, attributed Mr Key’s criticism of Dr Minnis to disappointment that he will not be the party’s candidate for the 2017 general election.

His withdrawal means that Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Dr Minnis, at the moment, are the only FNM candidates to have served in government. The pair, alongside East Grand Bahama MP K Peter Turnquest, who was elected in 2012, so far are the only candidates with prior experience running on the FNM’s ticket.

Mrs Butler-Turner was one of the most vocal critics of Dr Minnis from within the party, and is now the only “gang of six” member of Parliament who has been renominated by the FNM for the 2017 general election.

The other parliamentarians, who either supported Mrs Butler-Turner or were critical of Dr Minnis’ leadership – including Neko Grant, Theo Neilly, Richard Lightbourn, and Hubert Chipman – have all either withdrawn from consideration for a nomination or have not been given a nomination.

While Mr Watson skirted direct questions about the ongoing, public shake-up within his own party, he did push back against the characterisation of the organisation as the “new FNM”.

Mr Watson said: “People want something new but the slate has to be balanced it has to have some experience and some new blood and that slate has to represent what people see as a group that is capable of governing their country.

“Our philosophy hasn’t changed,” he said, “it’s the same. We believe in the government providing the atmosphere and environment in which the private sector can operate successfully. We ought to act as the arbiter between citizens, the mechanism by which justice and equality is adhered to.

“And we believe in having a safety net for those who may have fallen on hard times and need the help of the country. I’m not listening to anybody else, that is where we stand, that’s where we have been successful and that is what needs to happen, for the government to get out of the business of the private sector and let economy work.”

Boundaries

The Constituencies Commission has confirmed the government’s intention to increase the number of seats ahead of the 2017 general election.

Mr Watson strongly rejected this sentiment yesterday, comparing the country’s parliamentary make-up to Jamaica or Trinidad. In this vein, he argued for the strengthening of local government in New Providence.

“We don’t need more seats,” he said, “what we need is fewer ministers and pay the MPs a decent wage. No government can operate when you have 18 ministers, the duties are too thinly divided, at the end of the day you don’t know who’s responsible for what. We could have permanent secretaries to give experience.

“We need to further develop local government. Even with the little economy, the Out Islands have their streets clean, communities well kept. We cannot keep the environment of New Providence clean from a centralised ministry. Every community or plots of communities together must be responsible for some things. Politicians can’t go to residents and say clean your yard or we’re going to fine you, but if you’re a local body you can do that without fear or favour because you’re not looking for a vote.”

Commenting on the political impact of grassroots activism, such as We March Bahamas, Mr Watson praised the critical role of civil society on democracy and governance.

“Our system of parliamentary democracy, or any government,” he said, “requires there to be groups of people in the community to be activists in whatever they have an interest in and knowledge of. We should have an activist grouping whose job is to bring to the forefront knowledge and experience on the education system, the police department, it goes on. We are not going to have democracy unless a voice, apart from the political system, is setting out what they believe is best.

“This is wonderful. We (FNM) certainly opened up the airwaves when we were in office, the people must have a voice.”