Former MP for Mount Moriah and former Free National Movement leader Tommy Turnquest has crafted his own response to the fight that took place between the present MP for Mount Moriah Keod Smith and Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson in the Cabinet Office two weeks ago.
A statement published on his website, tommyturnquest.org, said that type of behaviour is not acceptable and violence should not be tolerated in any sector of society.
“All persons in authority, such as politicians, teachers, professionals, parents and all adult Bahamians, have a responsibility to set good examples that our young people can follow as we try to build a better Bahamas. We must mould our people into productive, caring citizens who can carry on the values and traditions handed to us by those who came before and who did the same for us,” said the statement from Mr. Turnquest, who lost his seat in the 2002 general election to Mr. Smith.
“What we find most troubling is that in a time when violence is so prevalent in our country, persons in authority are themselves resorting to this type of behaviour to resolve conflicts. This is unacceptable because their actions can only serve to reinforce the erroneous view which some of our young people hold that violence is okay.”
The website also said the fight was no laughing matter. It was a clear reference to a statement made by Prime Minister Perry Christie, who said he had laughed about the altercation with the two MPs, although he said two days after the fight he had not heard any reports of any fisticuffs.
Mr. Turnquest said on his website that domestic violence and the inability of many young Bahamians to resolve conflicts peacefully are among the leading causes of murder in The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas cannot prosper as a nation if there is no respect for others and no security for oneself. There is a great need in this country for us to return to the values of our forefathers and to foster attitudes that will lead to a kinder gentler Bahamas: one in which we are truly our brotherﾒs keeper,” the statement said.
“We hope that those persons involved in the bust-up would look within themselves and realize the extent of the damage they have inflicted on our country by their behaviour and the harmful and egregious message it sends.”
Persons who serve in political office must be held to a higher standard, the statement said, adding that there is no room for violence or bullies in Mount Moriah or within the entire Bahamas.
The Bahama Journal
