A CLIMATE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATION:
By E. W. I. Watkins -
Nassau, Bahamas:

In days gone by, politics and politicking were lots of fun. There were no such animals as political parties. The voters simply chose the best man or two men – depending on the size of the District (constituency) – that they (the voters) thought would give them good representation. In many cases, the outcome was determined by the size of the candidate’s wallet, especially in far-off islands like those of the MICAL constituency.

But, given the circumstances, conditions and easy going lifestyle in the country at the time, the attitude and demeanor of the candidate, the event – which happened every seven years – was a friendly affair. When the polls closed at 6:00 p.m., everyone knew who won or lost. There were no ballots to count and no votes to contest. When a voter came to vote, if his name was not on the list, he could not vote and that was the end of it.

Today, there seems to be much fraud and corruption in the system. The time has come for an end to this type of election fraud and criminality by having any and all cases reported, thoroughly investigated and the culprits dealt with according to law. Both parties are guilty of political shenanigans. The MICAL results in 2002 confirmed this, when the case was taken to court.

Since the inception of ‘party politics’, I was personally and physically involved, firstly as a police officer and later as a politician. It was very disturbing to hear of the incident where the ex-Prime Minister’s mother-in-law’s house was shot at and later, of an attempt to burn down the PLP’s Headquarters. An attempt to assassinate me in the early 1970s only failed because the imbecile who was sent to do the job did not know the capability of the weapon used, and was really too far out of the effective range of the weapon, when he fired at me, while I was standing in my bedroom.

The bullet came through my bedroom window and dropped in front of me. The shot was taken about 100 yards away – twice it’s effective range. I can say that I owe my life to that idiot’s ignorance. I sold the house with the bullet hole still there. If the new owners have not yet changed that window, the hole would still be there.

When a political party wins an election, it would appear that the leader sets the stage for his supporters to follow. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham started off by ‘jumping’ on Steve McKinney and Philippa Russell. Then, all of the regular foot soldiers took his stance and started harassing and intimidating persons with government contracts.

After the 2002 Election, Perry Christie made an announcement saying, "There would be no victimization, no one will be fired," and he kept that promise. There have been incidents of victimization and I personally know of a few; but they were by the bureaucracy. I have been called and accused of being a PLP. Perry Christie, Hubert Ingraham and ‘All and Sundry’ in the top bracket of both parties know that I am not a member of either grouping. In 2002, I led the Long Island/Ragged Island Constituency Association of the FNM to take a stand against the dictatorial and arrogant position of my then Leader (Hubert Ingraham). In defiance of Ingraham, the council and the party, supported the secretary of that association, Larry Cartwright, as an independent candidate to run against and defeat the FNM’s incumbent (Jimmy Knowles). I came to a conscious decision that I no longer had any faith in party politics. In the late 1980s, at a meeting in a Union Hall on East Street South, Hubert Ingraham was asked by Patrick Turnquest if he (Ingraham) would consider joining the FNM.

He (Ingraham) answered, "Peter is no better than Paul." Pat, Douglas Turnquest and I made a special trip just to find out if Hubert and Perry – who were both Independents at the time – were interested in joining the FNM. The way he (Hubert) felt about the parties then, is how I feel about them now.

On Wednesday last, I attended the Opening Ceremonies of Parliament, having – as usual – received an invitation. I invited one of my daughters to accompany me; but she declined in favour of her daughter. On leaving the Square, we were waiting for the Guard to move off, when I heard a voice that said, "Mr. Watkins." I turned and saw an over-sized individual who works at a government entity, and said, "Hello."

She then said, "You are an opportunist!" There was, at the tip of my tongue, an answer that would not only have been inappropriate, but most embarrassing to that individual; so I moved on, without replying. I would like to make it clear to not only that oversized individual, but all others in the FNM who are ignorant of the formation of that body, that I co-founded that party, along with the Late Cecil Wallace-Whitfield.

The practice of intimidating, victimizing and harassing members of a losing party in government institutions MUST cease. It is the responsibility of party leaders to do what is needed to wipe out this evil practice. The Government of the Day is for the electorate of the nation – not just a segment of it. I cannot be intimidated, or put in fear – victimized, yes – but not controlled. Every one of us should stand up as dignified human beings. Do your job, whatever it is, to the best of your ability, and those of you who are only looking for handouts, should stop, think and review your values.

‘Gofers’, boot-lickers and peddlers of political influence of the FNM are now having a field-day, especially with persons in the bureaucratic system, who have been nothing but obstructionists during the last central administration and are now hoping for some reward in terms of promotion. All Parties should now try to rid themselves of these ‘political termites’ who disappear during their party’s stint in Opposition, resurfacing when their party wins an election – like subterranean termites in rainy season.

FEAR, VICTIMIZATION and HARRASSMENT is NOT the route to go. HEALING, PEACE and UNITY is what the nation NOW needs.

8 June 2007