The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Michael Pintard, the comedian-turned-leader of the FNM, in my opinion displayed hypocrisy in his comments in The Nassau Guardian on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Pintard was a member of the Minnis Cabinet. In our system of government there is collective responsibility when it comes to Cabinet decisions.

Then Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis led a government that had to deal with the worst of the global pandemic, which began in March 2020.

At that time there was a lethal virus spreading around the world, and there were no vaccines and no treatments.

People were getting sick around the globe in the millions. Many, many were dying.

Minnis and most of the leaders of the world took aggressive actions to save lives. These measures at various times included lockdowns, curfews, closures and restrictions on gatherings.

As time progressed and treatments and vaccines emerged, leaders such as Minnis lessened the restrictions to ensure a balance was struck between saving lives and allowing normal life and businesses to function.

As part of the Cabinet, Pintard shares equal responsibility for the policies taken.

Throughout the Minnis term in office Pintard kept his high-profile Cabinet job; he kept his Cabinet salary; and he kept his Government car and perks.

If Pintard had a fundamental problem with the Cabinet’s policies it was his duty to resign and speak up from the backbench in the House of Assembly.

Pintard did not do this. He kept his high-profile Cabinet job; he kept his Cabinet salary; and he kept his Government car and perks.

In The Nassau Guardian story of January 4, Pintard criticised the very Cabinet he was part of, suggesting the Minnis administration might have gone too far in some instances with its anti-COVID measures.

“So, when we were in government, the criticism was that we went too far in terms of so many layers of restrictions. And in some cases, I am inclined to agree,” he said.

“Some of the summary lockdowns were ill-advised and did not achieve their purpose. It created unnecessary anxiety, stress, inconvenience, etc.”

If he were so against major measures taken, why didn’t he resign and speak up? Why didn’t he give up the salary, car, perks and prestige?

In my opinion this is hypocrisy. This is disloyalty.

In Pintard’s childish and petty attempt to attack Minnis, it is my opinion that he embarrassed himself and the FNM. The FNM now has a new leader who is publicly attacking policies that he, Michael Pintard, was responsible for.

A large majority elected Pintard leader of the FNM. He is in the early days of his leadership. He will not make it long in this post if he keeps spending his time trying to tear down Minnis.

FNMs respect Minnis for doing his best in a difficult situation. He tried to save lives.

He fed Bahamians via the largest social welfare intervention in Bahamian history.

He gave tens of millions of dollars each month in benefits to unemployed Bahamians.

Minnis made mistakes, but he did his best.

The PLP is allowing the virus to spread. Record numbers of Bahamians are getting sick.

The governing party has no plan.

Pintard should focus on attacking the current Prime Minister and his party for their incompetence in managing the pandemic rather than making immature attacks on Minnis.

THE MACKEY STREET MAN

Nassau,

January 4, 2022.