OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Philip 'Brave' Davis. (File photo)
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis yesterday gave the Minnis administration a “U” mark in his assessment of the government’s performance during its first year at the helm.
Mr Davis criticised the character of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ cabinet, telling reporters on the sidelines of a CARICOM forum that the group’s arrogance has prevented them from seeking proper guidance to correct missteps.
He said Dr Minnis’ appeal on Sunday to his parliamentary caucus for unity and humility as they marked the anniversary of their first year in government, spoke volumes to the internal workings of the FNM.
“F for failure is being kind, I give them a U,” Mr Davis, Progressive Liberal Party leader, said.
“I think they came in not appreciating what governance is all about and from what I observe and what I think they suffer from is the inability to reach out to those who may be able to help and guide them. They thought being elected was some waving of a wand that gives them omnipotence, omnipresent, all knowing position, and that is the way they have been conducting themselves.
“I think reality is setting in but unfortunately I think their own character, what they are as persons, is prohibiting them from being able to adjust themselves to what they see the reality is today.”
In remarks at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries on Sunday, Dr Minnis warned party members not to attack each other or criticise the government’s efforts publicly because it would prop up the opposition’s campaign.
The prime minister maintained the PLP had violated the public’s trust during its last term, and insisted the party had changed leadership but not its lust for power. Dr Minnis said many of the same faces from the last administration remained on the frontlines.
Yesterday, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell said there was objective evidence of division in Dr Minnis’ camp.
He pointed to the appointment of independent Senator Ranard Henfield as government whip in the Upper House, and his stance against recent government legislation. Mr Mitchel also referred to the criticism levelled at Dr Minnis from junior Cabinet Minister Elsworth Johnson over the vacancy to the substantive chief justice post - a public position for which Mr Johnson has apologised.
“The objective evidence is there,” Mr Mitchell said, “the whip is supposed to be at one with the Cabinet, the whip can’t separate itself from the Cabinet, yet he (Mr Henfield) gets up in the Senate and attacks a piece of legislation being put forth by the government.
“How are we supposed to believe the government’s position now, when the government is divided on this position? Similarly we have a minister of the government giving advice to the prime minister on the appointment of a chief justice.
“A minister of the government doesn’t talk to the prime minister in public, presumably you can say this in private, so it’s clear. The signs are there that there are cracks in their morale, and cracks in their programme.”
Mr Mitchell continued: “So we’re going to do our best to tell the country that no lie lasts forever. They came on a programme of deceits. It’s now being exposed slowly and slowly, I say again we’re coming to get you.”
Mr Mitchell also suggested Dr Minnis take his own advice as the FNM Cabinet boasted at least five senior statesmen who have returned to frontline politics. He listed Attorney General Carl Bethel, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes, and Minister of Public Service Brensil Rolle and others.
“Let’s just take the comment that nothing has changed,” Mr Mitchell said, “and the same old people are there. Take your own advice…don’t give me this stuff that nothing has changed. The fact is the party uses the talents which are available to it. There is new leadership and we coming to get them.
“So brace for it,” Mr Mitchell continued, “you can stand on the beach of history but you can’t hold back the tide. So I tell them we coming for them.”
Comments
Sickened 5 years, 11 months ago
Thanks so much for your input Philip. Better than your annual 'Z'.
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 11 months ago
Every FNM's response will resemble this..
not addressing the fact that this administration is failing - but shooting the messenger.
sucteeth 5 years, 11 months ago
Does anyone really listen to the crap that comes out of his mouth.. He and his sticky little fingers took more bribes and payoffs than any other politician known. Has the audacity to grade Minnis with a U.. lol..
SP 5 years, 11 months ago
by SP
joeblow 5 years, 11 months ago
Does any one other than the media ( who have a journalistic responsibility to report what he says) really care what Brave thinks!
John 5 years, 11 months ago
So Brave says he gives the FNM a ‘U’ grade. But nowhere in the article is the ‘U’ grade defined. Does the ‘U’ stand for Ungraded, Unfit, Unfortunate, Unfriendly, United or an Upgrade of the former government? Of course there has been missteps by Minnis and the FNM and every time one drives on the streets of Nassau, one is reminded that there’s lots more work to be done. The stretch of East Street from Wulff Road to Bay Street is deplorable. Potters Cay seems to be falling into further ruins than befor the upgrades. And the Eastern parking area seems to be serving the businesses across the street more than the general public because is doesn’t have access other than Potters Cay. The continued closing of local businesses is cause for concern and while the unemployment numbers have fallen in New Providence (thanks mostly to Bah Mar) it has increased on some Family Islands and remains stagnant on Grand Bahama. Tourist numbers seem to remain up and murders and armed robberies are down. While there’s more confidence in the government, meaning there’s less wastage of public funds and corruption, consumer and investors confidence seems to be down so there’s no economic growth outside of Bah Mar. Family Islands affected by the last hurricanes are still feeling neglected and crying out for help. Eleuthera seems to be smiling, at least in the North and so is Exuma, economically. so the government would not get a ‘U’ But an ‘I’ for Incomplete. Meaning they still have the opportunity to pull their performance up and get passing or even an an Excellent grade, or they can slip and slide into an abyss and fail miserably.
sealice 5 years, 11 months ago
And in 40 plus years of ruling our country i give you big brave a grade of FU.....
Sickened 5 years, 11 months ago
Lol!
realfreethinker 5 years, 11 months ago
LOL I give him a grade of 2 letters FY
realfreethinker 5 years, 11 months ago
Or better yet 3 letters GFY
bogart 5 years, 11 months ago
U = U LIMATELY QUALIFIED 35 / 4
Tarzan 5 years, 11 months ago
Is it just me or does it look to you like everyone in Parliament is asleep during Brave's oration?
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
Minnis is 10X better than Brave & Perry combined in their first years ...... But why is Tribune writing silly stories based on what Brave is saying????? ....... Brave has NO credibility.
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 11 months ago
Don't you notice - noone listens to your FNM rhetoric.
John 5 years, 11 months ago
Brave Davis, Fred Mitchell and Bradley Roberts are walking around with fire extinguishers but there’s no (political) fire to put out.
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 11 months ago
Like you're walking around with your FNM sunglasses and not seeing the real world.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
What if the country had an Acting PM for the past six or twelve months??????? ......... But Acting positions in the civil service is a common (and cheap) way out to cover key positions ........ and/or it is a political pressure tactic to force acting position holders to cow-tow to their superiors ....... it is found in middle management and senior management in every Department of Bahamian government.
THIS IS NOT SATISFACTORY!!!!!
BMW 5 years, 11 months ago
This short stubby grubby sticky finger fella shoulda choke on his words! I am a 60 year old man and I can remember when Freeport/ Grand Bahama was thriving then another short greedy leader of the plp made a speech at the gates of an oil refinery. Freeport was on its way downhill from that day. Brave in my book YOU are unfit for politics(and travel to the US) just as fweddy is. This Government is cleaning up the corruption that was bred into our people and civil service by the likes of you two. You and your silly friend need to GO AWAY!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
AMEN!!!!!!!!!! ............ A special exile facility on a faraway cay should be built for the SLOP spawn like Perry, Brave, Bradley Roberts, VAGray, Potcake, AMG, Fweddy, Obie etc. who ruined this country the last 5 years with their greed, corruption, teefin, and nepotism. Why is Brave leader of the PLP??
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 11 months ago
Lol the FNM anger you have built up in you is ridiculous. It will be scary what you do once the FNM loses the next election.
Apostle 5 years, 11 months ago
This is so unamusing. Brave epitomizes the tenets of PLPism. They believe that only them have the wherewithal to run this country and that only them have sense. Who messed up more than the PLP and who gave them the gumption to correct the FNM when they themselves have yet to admit their wrong. Tell me though, who is Brave speaking for? certainly not for me and the many Bahamian people who fired the PLP a yer ago. Oh! he wasn't fired so I guess he can continue to be an irritant to the government hoping for a morsel to drop so that he can claim it for the PLP. He can keep watching like a potcake and not realize that he himself is about to be scuttled. Personally I am just sick of his nonsense. So while he's seeking for relevance the only grade Brave should be concerned with is the "R" the Bahamian people gave his party-Rejected.
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