Bahama Journal Editorial:
Nassau, Bahamas -
That Peculiar Contest For Power:

Politics in a democracy is all about winning and losing. It is that peculiar contest for power that means so very much to those who win and to those who lose.

Those who win get legal access to the law-making machinery. And as they do, they thereby gain lawful control of certain other machineries that give them lawful access to some of the goods.

Some of these goods are so very valuable that they can be said to provide their owners a certain degree of deserved comfort. And yet again, access to the levers of power do also provide those who win an opportunity to put their own distinctive stamp on those processes that quite literally determine who gets, what, when, where and how.

There is of course the other dimension to this equation, which is that those who lose in a democracy can slink off, lick their wounds, heal and prepare for another day’s fight.

So it was in that long period 1967 to 1992 when Sir Lynden O. Pindling and his Progressive Liberal Party could win contest after contest – in season and out of season.

But as in all things human, that rope had an end.

The end came on August 19, 1992 when a majority of Bahamian voters declared that they needed someone who was somewhat new. They turned to Hubert Alexander Ingraham and the Free National Movement.

That party was fated to govern for almost 10 years straight.

The Progressive Liberal Party was voted in on May 2, 2002.

Today these party leaders and others are fast approaching that moment when the people must be summoned to cast their vote for the person or party of their choice.

Of one thing we are absolutely certain is the fact that this upcoming contest will be hard-fought; it will evoke raw emotion and for sure its outcome will be significant.

That outcome will resonate all over the world.

Today as jockeying intensifies for position and power in leadership within the ranks of the Free National Movement, we counsel and caution against political fratricide in that great party.

We also make the point that while fights over leadership are legitimate, parties to these contests should always be mindful that they should not resort to winning no matter the cost.

Mr. Ingraham’s supporters give every impression that they are working from a ‘first-things first’ agenda. As the public now knows the first thing the public had for its delight was a prolonged period of waiting, which was filled with the question, has he left?

And after that, there was the other question, is he returning? And more recently, the question that has been put concerns whether or not the former prime minister can pull it off. This time around, it is quite evident that Hubert Ingraham’s staunchest supporters believe that his return to the fore is a done deal.

Some time ago we had this and more to say about Mr. Ingraham’s return: "Sources are today chatting about as they characterize the imminent return of Hubert Alexander Ingraham. This erstwhile Leader of the Free National Movement is being treated as if he was some kind of political saviour; a messiah.

"Our surmise today is that if things continue to go as they are currently going for those FNMs who would have Hubert Alexander Ingraham as their leader he will soon and very soon be in the saddle.

"And thereafter, they will prepare him for his part in the battle royal that must take place any day now. Even now, some of Mr. Ingraham’s nemeses say that he will lose the next one, fair and square.

"On the other hand, his supporters are today quite convinced that the Progressive Liberal Party’s current leader will not be up to the challenge of facing a re-energized Free National Movement and a ferociously focused and experienced Hubert Ingraham."

That moment is well on its way. The leader who loses will no doubt be sent in political retirement.

When the dust is settled, there will be winners and there will be losers.

But no matter who gets the right to gloat, the truth remains that the Bahamian people will have the last word.

20 February 2007