The FNM’s top brass went as far as to say that the resignation signals “the beginning of the end for the Christie administration.”
One PLP Senator, however, dismissed the comment, calling it “ludicrous”.
Speaking with the Bahama Journal Tuesday, Free National Movement Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest supported Mr. Key’s claims that the government exercised “poor leadership and a lack of direction.”
According to Mr. Turnquest, the former Senator’s sentiments echoed those expressed by the official opposition for almost two years.
“Mr. Key is just now reiterating what we have been saying for many months and [what has] been – in our view – a prevailing feeling throughout society,” he said. “We have said that the country requires proper leadership and now a member of the PLP government is saying the very same thing.”
In an exclusive interview with the Bahama Journal Monday, Mr. Key revealed that his letter of resignation was hand delivered to the prime minister’s office nearly five weeks ago, but that there has been no announcement from the government to this effect.
Mincing no words on the issue, Mr. Key pointed out that while he wished the government well, he did not feel he needed to waste any more time “mixed up with this crew.”
On a scale of one to 10, the former Senator blatantly gave the Christie administration a three for its performance since assuming office May 2002.
But according to FNM Senator Tanya McCartney, perhaps this was “too high.”
“The PLP needs to pay very close attention to what is happening because if one of their own stalwarts can criticize them in such a manner, what is the general population left to say. ” she said.
Ms. McCartney was also quick to agree with Mr. Key’s claims bashing the effectiveness of the Senate.
“Mr. Key sometimes went against his government’s position, forcing them to account to the Bahamian people,” she said. “He has also pointed out that the Senate is as underutilized as the House (of Assembly). The government needs to focus more on a legislative agenda designed to improve the quality of life for Bahamians.
“This is a shame. The people are not getting value for money. I can understand why persons are becoming disillusioned.”
The Senate met several times last year, including once to pass the 2003/2004 budget and in December to pass the Financial Transaction Reporting Act, which according to Ms. McCartney was “very shoddy” and riddled with errors.
Fellow FNM Senator Desmond Bannister, meanwhile, said that the resignation came as both a surprise as well as a disappointment.
“Mr. Key has made very valid points where it concerns the decision making process and the manner in which the Senate has been treated,” he said.
“And I can understand why he would become very frustrated with a government that is almost callous in the way it deals with individuals. But to see Mr. Key make the contributions that he did to the Senate and the government and constantly shot down, the only honourable thing to do, would be to resign so that people can see how critical the lack of leadership is in the government.”
But while some PLP senators have refused to “enter the fray”, others like Philip Galanis, pointed out their disappointment that “the events have turned out this way.”
“This didn’t come as a complete shock and surprise to me because in a number of instances he had indicated his dissatisfaction with the system and the way things were progressing,” he said. But it is unfortunate that he felt so frustrated with the system that he had to take this course of action. His comments are evidently a level of frustration that he has felt towards the government and some are not unwarranted.”
Mr. Galanis also put to rest the FNM’s claims that his party is on the downslide, pointing out that such a comment is as ludicrous as previous assertions that the Progressive Liberal Party would not reemerge following the 1992 general elections.
Mr. Galanis said: “I think that the PLP is very strong. It still enjoys a lot of popular support. However, I think the PLP will have to refocus, energize itself and really do a better job of marketing the things that it has been doing. There are a number of major things that are on the drawing board that have been approved. But it’s taking some time. And I admit that sometimes this frustrates me, but it has only been 18 months since the new government came to power. And as [former Prime Minister the Late] Sir Lynden [Pindling] used to say, “Steady as she goes.”
Prime Minister Perry Christie released a statement on the matter Tuesday saying, “I am surprised and disappointed over the news of the intended departure of the Hon. Edison Key from the Senate of The Bahamas, which I learned from the press and which has not been confirmed to me by Edison Key.”
He added, “Mr. Key is a stalwart of the Progressive Liberal Party and a long time warrior of our great organization. The recent reports are all the more surprising since Mr. Key has always fought on the side of our party in our avowed interest to do the greatest good for the greatest number of the least fortunate among the Bahamian people. This is the tradition of public service in which Mr. Key stood with our party these many years.”
Mr. Christie pointed out that Article 41 (1) (b) of the Constitution requires that a Senator who wishes to resign submit that resignation to the President of the Senate.
“To my knowledge and up to [Monday] evening, that had not been done,” the prime minister said.
Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
