Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts on the 60th Anniversary of the PLP
Nov 13, 2013 - 12:18:11 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Bradley B. Roberts, National Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party:

What would have ordinarily been a joyous occasion for the PLP family is somewhat tempered as we learned of the passing of our dear brother, Stalwart Councillor and former honourable member for Fox Hill, the Hon. Frank Edgecombe.

I express my heartfelt condolences and our thoughts and prayers are with Frank's wife and children during their hour of bereavement.
May his soul rest in peace.

Political pundits have called the Progressive Liberal Party the Bahamian G.O.P. or the Grand Old Party because it is the oldest political organization in The Bahamas, founded in November 1953 and influenced practically every political party formed in this country.

This month we celebrate sixty continuous and glorious years of existence, a milestone that takes on special significance because we are the governing party as the country celebrates forty years of nationhood and it was the PLP that led The Bahamas to independence.

During its formative years, the PLP stood in the vanguard of change for social justice, economic justice, equality and a level playing field, a message that is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.

Landmark and historic events such as the universal suffrage movement, the general strike of 1958, women's right to vote in 1962 and Majority Rule in 1967 were the embodiment of the spirit, tenet, ethos and philosophy of the PLP and this organization will forever be identified with the struggle for equality.

Independence in 1973 was about defining who we were as a people and believing in the ability of Bahamians to shape our destiny and make our mark in the world.

It should not surprise anybody that fifty-nine years after its birth, the PLP ran on a platform of Believing in The Bahamas. This message that Bahamians were not being treated equally or fairly resonated with nationally with Bahamians of all socio-economic backgrounds. So the fundamental tenet and message of the PLP has been tried and tested by time and is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.

The policies of the PLP government created the modern Bahamas beginning with Majority Rule, Independence, Bahamianization policy, Central Bank, College of The Bahamas, Industrial Training Center (now BTVI), BAIC, BMC, Bahamasair, RBDF, Bank of The Bahamas, Bahamas Development Bank, NIB and the list goes on and on.

Recently Urban Renewal and the National Training Agency were created to meet the growing social, training and educational needs of our people in a dynamic and increasingly competitive workplace.

The groundbreaking of the Bahamas Agriculture, Marine and Science Research Institute (BAMSRI) is yet another commitment of the PLP to putting Bahamians first in diversify this economy and expand job and entrepreneurial opportunities for people.

Food security is critical to the sustained development of any country and linking all production sectors of the economy in the process represent some of the greatest opportunities for economic empowerment, jobs creation and the potential for improved government revenue for The Bahamas. This policy initiative will become yet another significant contribution to the legacy of the PLP and by extension The Bahamas.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bahamas Agriculture Marine Science Research Institute in San Andros on Monday, both the Health Minister and the Prime Minister reiterated this governnent's commitment to the introduction of National Health Insurance. This is welcomed news as the PLP believes that access to affordable and quality health care, like access to education, is a human right and not a privilege.

The critics and the pundits can talk all they want about personalities within the PLP and characterize them however they wish, but the historical records provide incontrovertible evidence that the tenets, the vision and values and the fundamental philosophy of the PLP reflected in its public policies are timeless and to date have clearly stood the test of time.

In our eighth non-consecutive term in office, the Bahamian people in their wisdom chose the PLP to lead this country out of one of its deepest recessions and to govern during a time of mass social dislocation, a high rate of crime and the fear of crime. We thank them for their confidence and continued support.

This is not chartered waters for us. I remind Bahamians that the PLP governed this country with prudence during the gasoline crisis of the 1970's, the Iraq war of the 1980's and after 911 in 2002. The record is there for all to see that in each instance, The Bahamas emerged stronger after each test and boast of having one of the strongest economies and successful democracies in the region. Some of our Caribbean neighbours were not so lucky.

I make this point to raise the broader question of the motivation behind the doom and gloom, gainsaying, nay-saying, nitpicking  and second guessing of the policies of this government, especially from talk radio and social media. There is no nexus between the manufactured hysteria in the public domain and the body of work of the PLP during some thirty years of governance.

It is disgraceful that some see fit to denounce a policy or proposed bill as a failure before it is drafted, let alone implemented. There are some who appear to be actively campaigning for the failure of our country; this is unpatriotic and unforgivable.

I call for balance, intellectual honesty and constructive engagement on national issues as this is the only productive way forward. Please be reminded that we are all stakeholders with vested interests in the success of this country.

I now invite Donna Smith to discuss the details of the anniversary banquet to be held on the 24th November 2013 at Sheraton Cable Beach Resort.

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