Young people are being pushed onto the political sidelines by the two major parties, it was claimed yesterday.
Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) leader Cassius Stuart said it is time to train a new breed of politicians to cope with the problems The Bahamas will face in the 21st century.
“We have to try something new if we want to move forward,” he said. “We’ve tried the Free National Movement (FNM), we’ve tried the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and it makes no sense going back to the FNM or PLP because they have both proven they have no direction for our country. If you want something new, you have to try something new.”
Mr Stuart said it is time for Bahamians to make radical political changes in the country to ensure the stability of our country for future generations. He said if a new generation of politicians fails to emerge, the country will fall into “utter chaos” leaving the youth to suffer.
He added that leaders of the FNM and PLP are prot�g�s of Sir Lynden Pindling and represent the “same old political guard.” Although their times and seasons have ended, Mr Stuart said, party leaders refuse to let the next generation emerge.
“They are at the sunset of their careers,” Mr Stuart said, with no chance of making any future contributions to The Bahamas. He believes the only way to a better Bahamas is under the guidance of new, vibrant leaders who will bring “fresh, new ideas to the political field.”
The BDM leader highlighted both parties’ alleged failure to properly train young Bahamian politicians.
“They have failed to plant their seed in the next generation and therefore, their seed will die with them,” Mr Stuart said. “Their contribution is supposed to be supporting the next generation of leaders.”
Mr Stuart pointed out that Bernard Nottage’s decision to “abandon” the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) and rejoin the PLP was “disgraceful.” Further, he alleged Prime Minister Perry Christie’s lack of leadership skills within the Progressive Liberal Party, poses a threat to the stability of The Bahamas. Finally, as for Hubert Ingraham’s return as FNM party leader, the move will cause the FNM “to die,” he charged.
“If Tommy was capable, Mr Ingraham wouldn’t have returned,” he said. “If Hubert Ingraham did a good job in creating leaders, there would have been no need for him to re-emerge. But they have failed. His move has demonstrated that, it’s self-explanatory.”
According to Mr Stuart, the FNM and PLP conventions over the past two weeks resembled a “circus.” He said the conventions were filled with political rhetoric, slander, back biting, racism, and backstabbing, among other things.
“What type of message are we sending to our young people,” he said. “The message that you can compromise what you believe in and that personal gain is more important than principle. No wonder why our country is in a state of disarray.
“Our political leaders have no principles. Yet they think they have something to contribute.”
Mr Stuart said the BDM will not allow the other parties to deceive Bahamians into thinking that they can “save the people.” He said the BDM represents the next generation of leaders The Bahamas needs to survive.
“We are the only hope for a brighter tomorrow,” he said. “The time has come for us as a people to make some political changes in our country. It’s now time to try something new. It’s time to try the BDM.”
By: IANTHIA SMITH, The Nassau Guardian
