The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

While the Rt Hon Prime Minister is well liked within the ranks of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and is temporarily protected by the large number of stalwart councilors appointed under his instigation, the self interest of the party and its instinctive desire to survive will dictate a change in leadership, in due course.

The PLP has a date with history in that it is now positioned to make fundamental economic; societal and cultural changes in The Bahamas. It has a huge parliamentary majority and still has, albeit a rapidly shrinking percentage, the support of the people.

The biggest problems facing the PLP is the laid back leadership style of the PM and the seemingly unfocused agenda of the party. Bahamians are, to put it simply, not feeling the thrust of the party and are not being motivated or effectively encouraged by the current leader.

Take for instance the 2014 to 2015 budget. There is absolutely nothing of substance therein that will generate or encourage economic growth or stimulus for the average Bahamian, black or white.

All we see is more taxes and absolutely no reduction in spending or fiscal responsibility. There are no rational details about line items and the presenters, so far, are playing with words.

A national leader must be, first and foremost, the primary cheer leader for the nation. He or she must be a person who is capable of invoking the citizens to become the best that they are able. In times of doom and gloom the national leader must inspire by leadership initiatives and motivation. Remaining ensconced in an ivory tower or palace will not cut it.

The PM has surrounded himself, by choice in most cases, by political expediency in others, with a gang of cut throats; bag men/women and downright cronies of the highest order.

His leadership has been and is being high jacked by a cabal of self serving individuals who are out of touch and are motivated by the singular desire, apparently, to get rich quick or die trying during the remaining three years of this administration.

People like to either feel good about themselves, collectively, or to be persuaded that better days are ahead. Bishop Neil Ellis of Mount Tabor told the PM this a few weeks ago but, I fear, that that message bounced over his head and never sunk into his subconscious mind. The PM is losing his fabled touch as a “Great Communicator” and is fast becoming just another run of the mill political hack.

Bold and visionary leadership is absolutely necessary for the growth and development of The Bahamas.

The continued reliance on Direct Foreign Investment is almost pass� if the local entrepreneurs are being marginalised and overlooked. I could care less about how many hundreds of construction jobs come on stream if we are incapable or unwilling to ensure sustainable growth of the economy.

Land is an economic life jack for any people. Yet, successive governments, inclusive of this one, are reluctant to grant a meager piece of Crown Land to any one for any conceivable purpose. The PM says that he is a bridge to the future, but, so far, he appears to be a moat around the aspiration of the average Bahamian.

As a constitutional student, I am more than aware of the different choices to remove a sitting political leader. One of them, via an internal coup, has always been an option. Will such an option be triggered against the current PM or will there be a vote of no confidence led by disaffected PLP backbenchers, aligned with the FNM?

The PLP has a date with destiny and must rise to the occasion. The party is bigger than one individual.

There are no sacred cows in the PLP when it comes down to the political relevancy and survival of the party. There is only one individual, in my view, who has the capacity and tenacity to challenge the status quo.

We all know who he is but, let us allow events to play out over the next six months. Bahamians want accountability; fiscal responsibility; curb on illegal immigration and a cessation of the appearance that our politicians are for sale or might be beholden to financial interests, both locally and internationally. With unemployment being as high as it is, the recent Labour Day march was a natural disgrace and the politicians should have been the last ones to march.

Well was it written some centuries ago: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the Crown.” As it was written then, so it holds true to this very day. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr

Nassau,

June 12, 2014.