Bahamian Politics
Branville McCartney: Will the fat lady be singing after VAT? - Dec 4, 2013 - 5:25:11 PM

The public is becoming irate over the July 1st 2014 deadline for the enforcement of VAT. There’s an air of trepidation around lately, and it’s not going away any time soon. According to the PLP the IMF has us over a barrel, and the implementation of Value Added Tax is not an option, but a necessity. However, each country is not affected in the same way, since a lot depends on how it impacts their residents socially. The current administration doesn’t seem to comprehend the ramifications of taxing the Bahamian people at this point in time, with so many families struggling beyond belief.

Bahamian Politics
Branville McCartney: The VAT Story - Dec 1, 2013 - 2:24:26 PM

While the Bahamian people stare down the barrel of the government’s proposed Value AddedTax (VAT) due to be implemented in July 2014 we remain uncertain of what to expect will come out of that barrel – we just know it won’t be good.

Aiding in the confusion we feel as the date rapidly approaches is the inconsistent statements of the Prime Minister who one moment speaks of the inevitability of VAT and the next seems to plead for an alternative from the business community. More recently the Prime Minister blames the financial mess left behind by the FNM for forcing his hand to introduce a tax that he said he took the International Monetary Fund (IMF)...

Community
Ntl. Chairman, Bradley Roberts remarks at PLP's 60th Anniversary Luncheon - Nov 25, 2013 - 10:10:01 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Remarks by Bradley B Roberts, National Chairman, Progressive Liberal Party at the PLP’s 60th Anniversary Luncheon at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort on 24th November 2013:

Protocol having been established, it is certainly a pleasure to be here this afternoon to give thanks and to attest to the greatness and mercies of Almighty God who has brought this organization a mighty long way, through many trials and tribulations and yes many glorious victories – seven non-consecutive electoral victories to be exact.

As we celebrate sixty continuous and glorious years of service, we are thankful to God for this milestone because of its special significance: Firstly, we are the governing party as the country celebrates forty years of nationhood and secondly, it was your Progressive Liberal Party that led The Bahamas to independence...

Bahamian Politics
This Week in Bahamian Politics - Feb 22, 2013 - 11:48:36 PM

Check here for the past week in Bahamian Politics!

The Bahamas Weekly provides a category just for the political voices of The Bahamas, whether it be the Free National Movement, the Progressive Liberal Party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement, the National Development Party, or a place for anyone to write about their political opinion in The Bahamas.

Read the latest viewpoints or banter right here on The Bahamas Weekly...

Bahamian Politics
Commentary: The chill of government financial irresponsibility - Jan 1, 2012 - 3:15:21 PM

As financial analysts the world over await the outcome of the "negotiations" in the United States to see if they can avoid the so called fiscal cliff - the day automatic tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in - many people believe it will push their economy back into a recession. To unsettle things even more, the fiscal problems have not abated in Europe and right here at home there are unsettling concerns among the business sector and taxpayers.

With The Bahamas debt to GDP ratio approaching 60% (including unfunded liabilities), and rumours of government cash flow troubles, they remain remarkably quiet on plans to help revive the struggling Bahamian economy and avoid...

...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
DPM Davis contribution: House of Assembly Crime Bills Debate - Nov 20, 2013 - 4:50:04 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The following are remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Brave Davis at the House of Assembly Crime Bills Debate on November 20th:

As I rise on behalf of the wonderful people of Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador to support these “Crime Bills” before this House, I beg your permission to allow me to respond to some statements issued by those opposite with respect to Urban Renewal “Small Homes Repair Program”.

The Government of the Bahamas announced during the 2013/14 Budget Communication its commitment to the Urban Renewal Program and our intentions to launch this “Small Homes Repair Program” in an attempt to bring relief and improvement to our people’s living conditions.

Bahamian Politics
Long Island M.P. Addresses Abaco Women - Nov 14, 2013 - 1:26:09 AM

Treasure Cay, Abaco –The Member of Parliament for the Long Island constituency, Mrs. Loretta Butler Turner, addressed three generations of women recently on the topic “Leading as Women in the 21st Century”. Butler-Turner echoed that women should not be promoted or touted as potential leaders just because they are females or should women be blocked from certain positions because they are women.

It is important to note, said the parliamentarian that there are many levels of leadership in an organization or community, it is not just about having a senior position in an organization but it often involves taking the initiative in ensuring that the work gets done, no matter who gets the credit.

Bahamian Politics
FNM Leader on VAT - Nov 13, 2013 - 2:22:58 PM

FNM Leader fears VAT will seriously impair the already weak, un-competitive, and struggling Bahamian economy;and harm and diminish the quality of life of every Bahamian!
 
Because of callous disregard the Christie Government will stuff VAT down the throats of the Bahamian people, whether the people agree or not.
 
The vast majority of Bahamians—the business community, foreign investors, rank and file FNM and PLP supporters, throughout our country—are confused and terrified by the PLP government’s sudden lurch towards the imposition of the new VAT taxation system: a “regressive” taxation system which promises to subject the Bahamian people and economy to the immediate imposition of at least a 15% levy across the board, and which has the almost certain

Bahamian Politics
DNA: Of Lies and VAT - Nov 13, 2013 - 12:32:37 PM

In the front page article of The Tribune, dated Friday November 8, 2013 the Prime Minister challenged the business community to find alternatives to the Value Added Tax stating “the private sector is on a collision cause with the government over the need for additional revenue”. One of the most intriguing statements made by the Prime Minister was that in seeking to deflect blame from his poorly designed opinion poll, the Prime Minister sought to blame the Bahamian People voting NO on said poll as his reason for seeking to implement a major tax regime change which will forever change the fabric of our community and has the potential to throw our economy back into recession. This Prime Minister, who said he had no horse in the race with respect to the gaming opinion poll, is telling the Bahamian People that it is OUR fault that he has no choice but to implement VAT. What utter nonsense!

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.

Bahamian Politics
Bahamas Opposition Leader's Comments on "The National Tripartite Council Bill 2013" - Nov 7, 2013 - 1:57:29 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Opposition Leader, Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis stated in Parliament yesterday during the discussion of the National Tripartite Council Bill 2013.

The FNM government has always shown itself to be "labor friendly." We were the government who extended maternity benefits, and introduced paternity leave, all in keeping with building the family structure. The new hospital which was near completion under the FNM regime will have bonding facilities for babies with their fathers, all of this helping with bonding and family structure, which we know plays a pivotal role in the elimination of crime and can contribute to producing youth for future leadership.

Bahamian Politics
Roberts: PLP strikes gold again in Salvador - Oct 31, 2013 - 9:03:26 PM

The Progressive Liberal Party salutes the Government of Perry G. Christie on the announcement of the $90 Million Hotel expansion of the Club Med on San Salvador.

The record will show that when the Christie Administration came to Office in 2002, it found the Club Med Hotel closed and unemployment on San Salvador was at an all time high.

Back then waste of public funds was also the order of the day. The plans and $9 million budget left in place by the PLP to construct a new international airport were scrapped by the FNM because they claimed it was too expensive. They went to construct the same airport for some $35 million.

Bahamian Politics
Philip Brave Davis MP - On the Motion in Support of The Airport Authority Amendment Bill - Oct 23, 2013 - 3:48:45 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Remarks by the Hon. Philip Brave Davis, MP: The Motion in Support of the Airport Authority Amendment Bill  in the House of Assembly

I on behalf of the people of Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, am pleased to second the motion for passage of the Airport Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2013 as moved by the Honourable Member for Englerston.

We have, just last Thursday, witnessed the official opening of the third phase of the redevelopment of the terminal facilities for the Lynden Pindling International Airport in New Providence.

One and all will confirm that these three terminal buildings represent...

Bahamian Politics
A New Bahamas - Transparency, Accountability & Honesty in Government is Vital - Oct 21, 2013 - 3:48:52 PM

I believe in open, honest government, where we hold our leaders accountable. I believe in putting the national interests over the special interests. I believe in putting principle above politics. I believe in putting people over profit. The bottom line: I believe we can do better. I believe we must do better. And if the system is broken...fix it.”— Wesley Clarke, former NATO Commander.
 
The New Bahamas is a place where government must be transparent, acting in the best interest of ALL citizens. In the New Bahamas, there is no room for secret, clandestine governance! there is no room for back room or under the table deals. Any stable democracy must be mature enough to give its citizens access to information. As Leader of The Opposition, it is vital that I trust the electorate to support the government's good decision making...

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts remarks at North Abaco PLP public meeting - Oct 19, 2013 - 7:38:29 PM

We entered a new era of political development and national maturity on October 15th 2012 in North Abaco when you voted for change and elected a new generation political leader. The era of divisiveness and victimization is gone, relegated to the scrap heap of regression and cynicism – a relic of a style of the past that has caused much hurt, suffering, tribalism and prevented Abaco from coming together and realizing its full potential.

Renardo Curry, your new generation leader, was born, raised and nurtured in North Abaco. With his election, the Prime Minister thought it wise to bring government closer to the people by appointing Mr. Curry to the post of Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister here in Abaco.

Renardo is the official local voice of the central government for the ...

Bahamian Politics
DNA: What's going on in Bimini? - Oct 16, 2013 - 1:42:35 PM

The Democratic National Alliance is asking the PLP government to explain to the Bahamian people how they could allow a foreign company to begin the building of a pier in Bimini without the necessary permits. Indeed a senior PLP Minister has confirmed that the building has commenced without the necessary approvals, in particular an Environmental Impact Assessment and an Environmental Management Plan. It has further come to the DNA’s attention that persons working on the pier have not obtained the necessary work permits from the Department of Immigration. In other words they are working here illegally and this illegality is being sanctioned by the PLP government.  

We in the DNA and on behalf of the Bahamian people ask the government how can they allow this to happen? What is going on in our country?

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Carl Bethel appointed Senator and Leader of Opposition Business - Oct 9, 2013 - 11:24:33 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Free National Movement member Carl Bethel receives his Instruments of Appointment to the Senate and Leader of Opposition Business from Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, October 8th, at Government House. Mr. Bethel replaces Desmond Bannister whose resignation became effective September 30th, 2013.

Pictured from left: Dr. Hubert Minnis, Leader of the Official Opposition; Mrs. Bethel, Sen. Bethel; Sir Arthur; Lady Foulkes; and Loretta Butler-Turner, Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition.

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts: A Few Questions For Dr. Minnis - Oct 8, 2013 - 6:05:33 PM

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

Dr. Minnis told the media recently that he was so concerned about the management of public finances that the Prime Minister who is the Minister of Finance should resign from that post. In light of these comments and the standard he has now set, I find it necessary to put Dr. Minnis’ apparent care, concern, conviction and new standard about “the peoples’ money” to the test
 
Who was at the wheel when Minnis and his cabinet colleagues reported a figure on the national debt that contradicted Central Bank figures to the tune of $500 million? It was current Prime Minister Christie who alerted the public to this discrepancy. Further, Dr. Minnis reported that the newly constructed Critical Care Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital would cost about $70 million...

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts: BEC Chairman applauded for his leadership and performance - Oct 8, 2013 - 3:09:30 PM

After Bahamians were forced to suffer through five years of repeated and frequent power failures and blackouts during those sweltering dog days of summer under the watch of the FNM government, it is refreshing to see that BEC has finally gotten a handle on the general maintenance and care of its power generation facilities.

The Progressive Liberal Party applauds the strong, determined and decisive leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and BEC Chairman Leslie O Miller who brought the correct priorities, fiscal discipline and focus to the operations and administration of the once beleaguered corporation that teetered on the brink of bankruptcy due to due poor leadership, neglect and mixed priorities just two years ago.

Bahamian Politics
Bernard Nottage on the cost of holding the National Referendum on Web Shop Gaming and a National Lottery - Oct 7, 2013 - 1:47:34 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a press statement by Dr. Bernard J. Nottage MP:

On Thursday October 3rd, when questioned about the cost of holding the National Referendum on Web Shop Gaming and a National Lottery in January, I inadvertently gave the figure of $5 million.

Almost immediately, I told the reporters, who were from the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Cable TV 12 and the Nassau Guardian, that I was uncertain about the actual amount. Nevertheless the figure was published in the Nassau Guardian in its Friday 4th edition.