Former Prime Minister Perry Christie (right) with Dr Bernard Nottage last year.
Reader poll
Why do you think the referendum bills failed?
- Disagreement with the bills.
- Distrust of the government.
- Lack of understanding of the bills.
- Concern over a “hidden agenda”
295 total votes.
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE day after the resounding rejection of all four of the constitutional referendum questions, Prime Minister Perry Christie conceded that he was personally “disappointed” with the event’s outcome, saying he had hoped that the country would have voted ‘yes’, therefore lifting the Bahamas to a historic level.
Admitting that his administration has a “history” after going against the overwhelming ‘no’ votes of the 2013 gaming referendum, Mr Christie said the government now had to look at the implications of this decision and also examine other factors that may have contributed to the failure of Tuesday’s referendum.
However he insisted that the results of the referendum in his view were not an expression of a lack of confidence in the government.
Mr Christie told reporters that the government made every effort to ensure that the process was bi-partisan and transparent.
Earlier, while speaking in the House of Assembly before debate began on the 2016/2017 budget, Mr Christie told parliamentarians that the voice of the people had sounded in the land. He said this needed to be respected and would be.
“There is personal disappointment for me clearly because I voted ‘yes’ to all four of the questions,” Mr Christie told reporters yesterday following the morning session of the House of Assembly.
“I voted ‘yes’ with my family and they all voted ‘yes’. So clearly we had hoped that in voting ‘yes’ we would have lifted the Bahamas to an historic level pertaining to constitutional change that was rejected by the people of the Bahamas.
“I am a political person elected to office and therefore I have to understand more than anyone else that my being in politics depends on the will as expressed by the people. Those people who talk and say it is a matter of confidence or lack of confidence in the PLP would not appreciate it.
“Lynn Holowesko was as much out there as I was and she is not a PLP and all the others (the) former candidate Heather Hunt (was) in Grand Bahama and all through and devout FNMs interested in supporting the ‘yes’ vote, so you know people will have an opportunity to see whether or not it was an expression of confidence or lack there of because my name was not on the ballot in this vote. This vote was voting for four questions.”
He continued: “My name will be on the ballot (in an election) and they will have an opportunity obviously when my name is on the ballot and their names are on the ballot for the people of the country to make a decision. That is not very long from now, so throughout all of this I think we must all be mindful of that one reality. That the very same people who voted yesterday will have an opportunity to express themselves in a constitutional general election and we know it must be held by May of next year. So it’s a matter therefore of what will happen not now, but then.”
Responding briefly to the outcome of Tuesday’s referendum, Mr Christie told the House of Assembly that he was thankful to all of those leaders on both sides of the political divide that supported the constitutional changes.
He said: “I will never stop believing that our sons and daughters deserve equal rights in our Constitution and equal treatment under our laws.
“We believe that when the dust clears, there will be room and time for proper reflection. Although yesterday’s rejection of the gender equality bills is clearly a setback for the programme of constitutional reform, it is by no means an end to it.”
He continued: “Instead the programme of constitutional reform must continue. How, when and in what form it will continue will be the subject of further consultations with my Cabinet, the Constitutional Commission, the opposition and civil society.
“In the meantime, in the wake of the vigorous and fractious debate that we have just come through, we must now find ways to bridge our differences as we continue our struggle for a better and brighter future for all our people.”
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis on Tuesday night said the country’s overwhelming rejection of the proposed changes to the Constitution was proof that the public no longer “trusts the Christie administration.”
Dr Minnis told The Tribune that he “had an idea this would be the outcome” because he does not believe many people understood the questions.
Dr Minnis said the government did a “poor job” educating the public and it has been reflected in the outcome of the referendum.
When asked if a government led by the FNM would hold another equality referendum if his party wins the next election, Dr Minnis said: “I would listen to the people.”
Comments
Calypso 7 years, 10 months ago
Surprisingly well spoken and a thorough response. Shame this country will continue to be held back by those who cannot grasp the notions of change and equality.
licks2 7 years, 10 months ago
Did you hear the same speech as the rest of this nation? Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe. . .Lol!
cmiller 7 years, 10 months ago
Tired old man......
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 10 months ago
Perry is not the least bit concerned about the outcome of the recent referendum.......he still has his "ace in the hole" when it comes to the PLP winning the next general election, namely MINNIS!
B_I_D___ 7 years, 10 months ago
Two aces...Minnis and McCartney!!
B_I_D___ 7 years, 10 months ago
Delusional..."he insisted that the results of the referendum in his view were not an expression of a lack of confidence in the government."
Laughable..."Mr Christie told reporters that the government made every effort to ensure that the process was bi-partisan and transparent."
Reality_Check 7 years, 10 months ago
And like most tired old political party leaders who stay in public office far too long, Christie has doomed the political futures of those senior PLP party members who have loyally served him for many years and who have been quietly maneuvering in recent times with the hope of one day succeeding him. The PLP party, if it survives at all, is on the verge of being banished by the voters to the political wilderness for at least the next 40 years or so. The same will happen to the FNM party if its more senior council members do not soon jettison Minnis to the political wilderness forever......even the most die hard FNM voters have no stomach for Minnis whatsoever and will not be voting in 2017 for the FNM candidate in their constituency unless Minnis is forced to step down as both opposition leader and FNM party leader.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
Perry should now do the honourable thing ............. resign and prorogue the Parliament and let the Bahamian citizens elect a government that they can trust ......... Perry and his colonial-style political henchmen (and women) have to go .......... we need a new generation of post-Majority Rule leaders running this country with no direct influence/ties from the former Pindling administrations .......... we must divorce ourselves from that 1967-92 era
cmiller 7 years, 10 months ago
Totally agree!!!!
TalRussell 7 years, 10 months ago
Comrade Prime Minister, Cabinet colleagues and PLP House MP's (not that most PLP MP's do not hold state funded Cabinet appointments,) I do understand what has become a PLP norm when it comes to taking state millions dollars to fund campaigns to go against the will of the people. I said I understood them PLP's, not that they have demonstrated much political smarts.
Let's just say they are more skilled during hibernation in opposition than when it comes to the PLP's turn to govern?
What I cannot understand for the life of smart politics, is why in the hell shouldn't Loretta and other red partnering MP's, not feel ashamed of betraying the 'Vote NO' voters. in the way they voted to cozy up with "Vote YES,.' while sporting the 'Vote YES' yellow campaign t-shirts
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
Tal you are out of order ............ this was not an FNM vs PLP political fight, so why should any non-PLP MP have to apologize for the results of the 2016 referendum ????????? ....... she took her stance and so what?????
We really need to politically mature on this national matter ........ I am proud that FNM leaders were able to publicly state their support for the referendum questions .......... and they should not be branded as FNM traitors for that .......... but how many active PLP leaders had the gumption to come out publicly against the referendum (even though they were silent opposers)?????????
Honestman 7 years, 10 months ago
Well said Sheeprunner.
TalRussell 7 years, 10 months ago
Comrade SheepRunner12 I never called Loretta and gang, red traitors, nor to question how they voted. If you're asking me if do feel that their 'Vote YES' supporting roles, best reflect wearing yellow t-shirts, 1000% absolutely.
If a colour other than their party's best fits their actions, then why not wear it as openly on floor Honourable House of Assembly, as they wore their 'Vote YES' yellow t-shirts on referendum day?
Already when Dr. Andre comes a 2017 General knocking, I goin be's t-shirt color blinded.
Minnis should send his recent PLP recruit, along with Loretta, Chippie and Richard off to enter into a 12-step programme on how to become a true supporting card-carrying red shirt?
But first, Minnis should recall all their red t-shirts, until they complete the 12-steps and they learn how to dress in public as true red shirts.
If I were so proud, I'd wear my yellow t-shirt, while standing up as a member of the 'still official opposition' on the floor of the Honourable House of Assembly, cause right about now I am having hard time telling the difference between red and yellow t-shirts?
Honestman 7 years, 10 months ago
Christie said: “I will never stop believing that our sons and daughters deserve equal rights in our Constitution and equal treatment under our laws".
Well Prime Minister, if that is what you truly believe (and I seriously doubt it) you had the chance to help deliver equal rights for women in 2002 but you chose otherwise, didn't you? Don't give us this cr#p now.
Zakary 7 years, 10 months ago
Umm..
1. Where is the outrage over the absolute disaster at issuing the referendum results?
2. Why are there so little opposition forces hitting on this?
3. Why is the Government not talking about this?
4. Why is the media so care free except a few individuals?
5. Why did it seem like Bradley Roberts knew the results before everyone else?
6. Why are there reports saying that the PLP "conceded" defeat?
7. Why was the Parliamentary Commissioner excuse so pathetic, borderline unbelievable?
8. What was the reasoning behind waiting for constituency totals?
9. Why is it that there is no one talking about the 2002 referendum and how it had FIVE questions?
People are pissed.
Honestman 7 years, 10 months ago
Because we are all wasting our breath asking questions of the PLP. This is the party that thrives in the dark. You can ask for transparency until you are blue in the face but the party is crooked to the core and explanations will not be forthcoming because they hold hard working Bahamians in utter contempt. May 2017 is getting closer and payback time not far off. The PLP knows its time is limited and the opposition, the media and ordinary citizens will have to be vigilant because PLP greed knows no bounds and this will be their last opportunity for a long, long time to plunder the Nation's resources.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
The PLP has NO respect for the Bahamian people ............ they need to be voted out once and for all in 2017 .......... they are a clear and present danger to the future of our democracy ......... we need a new Independence generation leader who is willing to implement a NEW Constitution with a new brand of unicameral proportional representational democratic republic with a native-born Bahamian President and a two term limit PM and a non-MP Cabinet........... asap
B_I_D___ 7 years, 10 months ago
The PLP were sh!t scared when the numbers started coming in and did not know how to deliver the bad news...took them the better part of the next day of meeting with the spin doctors on how to approach defusing yet another dismal failure.
EasternGate 7 years, 10 months ago
Did not Perry Gladstone Christie say "I will gladly swim in the vomit"? Well, he made "vomit" of the 2002 referendum, and now in 2016 he was made to swim in his "vomit"! Perry we are sick of your regurgitated ideas and failures! Carry your old tired ass, and take Minnis with you!
SP 7 years, 10 months ago
Perry Christie, Bernard Nottage & crew are well way past their expiry date...Obviously!
Bungeling Christie, mumbling Nottage, little emperor Ingraham and two faced Minnis are birds of a feather beyond out of touch with the needs of Bahamas and the mass's.
New leadership was needed 2 decades ago as proven by the rapid decline of our country and absolute decimation of our people.
These stagnate old dinosaurs refuse to move on so must be forcibly kicked to the curb before irreparable damage is done to our country.
43 years of resuscitating the PLP & FNM to no avail. Corruption so prevalent and endemic neither party can remotely begin to point to corruption of the other. Our country overwhelmed by foreign entities sucking the very life blood from our people, and an economy literally in tatters.
They have run their course. Time to move on!
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 10 months ago
Both Bernard Nottage and Sherlyn Hall have demonstrated a degree of incompetence that constitutes gross dereliction of duty; Bahamians are truly dismayed and embarrassed by the unacceptable delay in the release of the referendum results. These two, Nottage and Hall, should be sent packing as the Bahamian electorate do not want them to have any involvement whatsoever in the tabulation and communication to the media and public of the results of the next general election. Will Bahamians once again see that Christie lacks the gonads necessary to do the right thing by failing to sack both Nottage and Hall? Any involvement by Nottage and Hall in tabulating and communicating the results of the next general election will rightfully be viewed by the general electorate with great distrust. Nottage and Hall are bereft of even the most basic management skills and they should not be given the opportunity to dismay and embarrass us a second time. Christie desperately needs to do something to restore the trust of voters in our country's electoral processes and both Nottage and Hall are low hanging fruit for doing so.
John 7 years, 10 months ago
The NO vote is more against the government than it is against the bills. NO confidence, NO trust, No moral direction and NO more getting swing. Bahamian people do not know what the intentions of this government is. They do not know the real purpose of the bills and so it was a NO vote across the board, except in those polling divisions that can see some direct benefit from one or more of the bills. And with the secrecy looming about the new Bah Mar deal, this government may be on its way out. How can these people ever find the conscience to give foreigners even more concessions when the average Bahamian is finding it hard to pay property taxes on their homes and VAT on everything else. The more concessions they give away, the more taxes the average Bahamian has to pay.
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