For the second time in a period of 10 years, the Bahamian public/electorate gave a political party a strong mandate for political-administrative systemic changes.
In 1992, and reaffirmed in 1997, that mandate and its attendant signals were incontestably strong to the party and government of the-day.
In 1992, and in the early period of its 1997 term, the Free National Movement’s Prime Minister Ingraham-led Administration read those signals very well, then acted positively, with focus and resolve.
It was not until the waning years (more like months) of its 1997 mandate, and quite inappropriately, some might say foolishly, and for purely partisan political initiatives, did it (Free National Movement Ingraham-led Administration) unceremoniously abandon a judicious and sensible fiscal policy, for political-administrative excesses, that were characteristic of its predecessors; the Old Progressive Liberal Party Sir Lynden-led Administration.
I have stated and will continue to do so that, “The Ingraham-led Free National Movement’s economic policy initiatives are easy to understand and even easier to support. Based on modern Free Market concepts underpinned by enacted statutes, they more than other factors created the Free National Movement Government’s economic miracle of domestic and international resurgence…” (Guardian 22nd December 1999).
The Bahamas’ public/electorate embraced that Free National Movement’s judiciously prudent and fiscally responsible handling of the national economy, then dehired it (Free National Movement) when it clearly veered off course to emulate an extremely poor political-administrative caricature of the old Progressive Liberal Party.
The comprehensive systemic etc, changes it (Bahamian Public/Electorate) voted for in 1992, then overwhelmingly in 1997, were only partially realized. It was not amused. And despite some of those ego-tripping and political pundits’ and talking-heads’ various scenarios, sage observers and objective thinkers repeatedly stated that the de-hiring of the Free National Movement Party and government was imminent at that May 2nd 2002 poll.
Enter the New Progressive Liberal Party’s Prime Minister Christie Administration; and for the second time in 10 years, the Bahamian public/electorate gave clear signals and an unmistakably robust political administration mandate for changes – systemic changes – in the way, we as a nation do business.
It (Bahamian public/electorate) does not expect nor want the New Progressive Liberal Party Christie-led administration to re-invent the governance wheel.
That would be foolish and wasteful administratively and as stated above, it has embraced many of the former
Free National Movement government’s sensible economic concepts.
It now demands and expects significant changes in the areas of “Service Provision”. It will no longer accept that old “I’m doing y’all a favour” routine.
It now demands a bang for its bucks service-wise and expects some-persons to be responsible and accountable, when it receives less than what could be reasonably expected.
Unless the New Progressive Liberal Party Administration is politically and administratively suicidal, it would realize that a change in concepts underpinned by enacted statues and investors incentives (domestic and international) established by the Free National Movement Ingraham-led Administration, is not a viable option.
Each government or administration succeeding the Ingraham-led Free National Movement Administration will have the unenviable task of matching or surpassing its economic success. When measured against it, success, near success or failure could be determined.
The Bahamian public/electorate no longer remains passive participants on the sidelines of governance; it is rightfully and fully engaged, because, in a “Representative Democracy” its government acts on behalf of and by the authority of its citizenry.
Again, it wants certain changes it believes essential to its national wellbeing.
And it knows what to hold and what to fold.
Harry Hall
Letter To The Editor, The Nassau Guardian
