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Partisanship is no longer important to a growing number of Bahamians
Related to country: Bahamas

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MPs Slam Partisan Politics:
By Juan McCartney -
Nassau, Bahamas:



The Bahamian society would not survive unless it "rejects narrow-mindedness, selfishness and inflated egos," according to Elizabeth Member of Parliament Malcolm Adderley.

Mr. Adderley was contributing to debate on the government’s mid-year budget on Monday.

While endorsing the budget, Mr. Adderley also warned parliamentarians that partisanship is no longer as important to a growing number of Bahamians – especially the younger generation – as is the proper management of the government.

Mr. Adderley said he welcomes foreigners who come into the country to help build a "better Bahamas".

But he cautioned that, "unless and until we born and bred Bahamians stop canabalizing each other, the journey ahead will continue to be rugged and painful."

Mr. Addereley said parliamentarians must encourage "a mindset which is directed away from oneself."

He added that all parliamentarians should work together for the "progress and advancement" of all Bahamians on the basis "of commitment and performance, and not on whether one’s favorite colour is red or gold."

Mr. Adderley has made minimal contributions in the House of Assembly since the Free National Movement’s May 2 victory at the polls and was glaringly absent as opposition members sought to bring about a vote of no confidence in House Speaker Alvin Smith last year.

Many have speculated that Mr. Adderley’s relationship with the party’s leadership is currently strained, but the MP recently denied rumors about his allegiance shifting from the PLP to the governing FNM.

Mr. Adderley said that "this small archipelago of some 300,000 people will not survive unless we move to a higher level, [a level] that focuses on what is in the interest of no one person or special interest groups, but one whose focus is on what is best for The Bahamas."

He said it is necessary for members of parliament to realize that their attention must be directed toward nation building, rather than partisan politics.

"I have always maintained that this country is not PLP country, nor is it FNM country. The will of the people is what determines who should sit in this honourable house," he said.

"I submit…that right here in The Bahamas, our country is being transformed right before our very eyes. We are beginning to see the birth of a new Bahamas – the election of 2007 supports this view."

Mr. Adderley said "no longer do we have persons moving into [the categories] of die hard PLP or die hard FNM."

"Of course," Mr. Adderley said, "we will always have that anchor group of die hard [supporters] either way. It is my view that a political transformation is taking place right before our eyes. So those who have eyes to see should wake up and see before it is too late."

He said the ability of the country to withstand the recent fluctuations of the US economy is a logical extension of the work done by the Christie government. In this regard, he pointed to the foreign investment inflows the former administration attracted.

"The elder Bahamian is looking for job security; the younger Bahamian is looking for employment opportunities," Mr. Adderley added.

"Therefore…every effort should be made to ensure that greater opportunities exist for every willing and able Bahamian, regardless [of] race, colour, creed or political affiliation."

Mr. Adderley also encouraged the government to consider allocating significant funds to youth programmes, including sports and other extra-curricular activities.

March 5, 2008

March 5, 2008 | 10:13 PM Comments  0 comments

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