The focus can now be shifted to other priorities, such as shuffling the Cabinet.
But, as we look back on their roller coaster confrontation, we note that much of the bitterness between the parties could have and should have been avoided. Now that a workable compromise has been reached, the government, the hotel owners and the union should work to see that their relations remain cordial. This is not to suggest, however, that these relations will not be without tension.
That there will always be room for disagreement and discord in any and all relationships. What is important, is that these be kept within civilised bounds. Interestingly, despite one or two bumps along the way, the two sides to the dispute never did reach the point of no return. With the persistent work of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Vincent Peet, and Prime Minister Perry Christie, both sides were able to find a proper way forward.
From one perspective, then, the government is to be given kudos for work done. From all reports received, it does appear that Mr. Peet and Mr. Christie worked long, hard and skilfully to assist the parties in reaching the accommodation they did. Apparently quite aware of the high stakes involved in the dispute, the prime minister was particularly adroit in being firm when the situation merited, and conciliatory when it was warranted. What was important for all parties concerned was for them to understand and appreciate that the decisions they had to make were freighted with any number of heavy implications for the nation at large.
Had they failed, the economy would have suffered a major blow. That would have been catastrophic. Here the Prime Ministerﾴs diplomatic skills were in high gear. He will need these in the days and weeks ahead as he focuses on making needed adjustments to his Cabinet.
While any number of Ministers would have reason to fear that they would be ﾑdisappointed,ﾴ one or two have every reason to fear the worst. In one perfectly egregious example of incompetence run amok, one minister cost the government and people more than a cool one million dollars or more. This at a time when everyone knew that the treasury was bordering on low to empty. Other ministers were not as expensive, but a few are found wanting.
Interestingly, as January comes to an end, an attentive public which had hoped that Prime Minister Christie would have already shuffled or reshuffled his Cabinet, is still waiting for something to happen. When Mr. Christie was asked what he intended to do about his Cabinet, he gave a sophisticated response which left close observers no wiser than they were, as they were previously.
If he is to save the day, and translate his vision into reality, he must move post-haste to rid his Cabinet of dead weight. Having been able to watch some of the Cabinet Ministers over the course of the past nineteen months, the public has a pretty good fix on which ones are competent; which ones can become more effective; and the ones who are incorrigibly incompetent.
Indeed, whether the Prime Minister recognises the fact, the quality of his leadership is up for review. How he deals with the matter of his Cabinet shuffle or reshuffle, will determine how an anxious public evaluates him. At this juncture in his partyﾴs rulership, the prime minister must move quickly to assert his authority. After all, by law, his is the right, authority and power to appoint and ﾑdisappointﾴ.
And for sure, this is a time for some who were appointed to Cabinet and other high positions to be ﾑdisappointed.ﾴ Again, as we revert to the mood of the attentive public, our advice is that they are growing weary of what they see as a regime, perpetually on the verge of unveiling the ﾑnext big thing.ﾴ
If current trends persist, the Christie Administration runs the risk of being saddled with the characterisation that it is all about motion without direction. While the current situation is serious, it is not dire. The prime minister can yet save the day. He can begin by ridding his Cabinet of deadwood.
Editor, The Bahama Journal
