Deputy FNM leader Brent Symonette said PLPs “exposed their true feelings” when they raised the issue of race during their national convention.
Mr Symonette made the remark yesterday when he was asked to respond to comments made by PLP chairman Raynard Rigby in a radio appearance.
Mr Rigby denied that racism was the reason PLP speakers had warned of the danger of a return to the days of the UBP government.
Mr Symonette called the chairman’s explanation an attempt to “undo the damage” that was done by the comments of several speakers, including cabinet ministers.
Mr Rigby, who appeared on Island FM’s Parliament Street on Sunday, said that in discussing’ the UBP, party members were talking about history.
“What we did at our convention was talk about the history of the Bahamas – that at a time in our country, this is post 1967, we were governed by a minority government, that the minority government comprised of a few selected whites, and that black Bahamians and poor white Bahamians were eliminated from the political and economic dynamics of the Bahamas at that time,” said Mr Rigby.
He added: “When majority rule came in 1967, that was the only time that black Bahamians had an opportunity in governing the Bahamas. If that is the history of the Bahamas, and if a speaker says in his presentation that as a party we are moving our party and country forward, and we will not take our country backward, for the life of me that can’t be racist.”
When The Tribune contacted Mr Symonette, he commented that the PLP chairman appeared to be trying to “undo damage” done at the convention.
Mr Symonette said PLP members “exposed their true feelings” in their convention speeches and comments and are now trying to “backpedal”.
“They have opened this up and exposed themselves for what they are, and I have no , intention of entering a discussion on race any further,” said Mr Symonette.
He said that he is a Bahamian and the colour of his skin should be irrelevant to his role in politics. According to several speakers at the PLP national convention, the FNM must lose the next general election if the country is to avoid returning to the days of the UBP.
“They have obviously gone down a road that the public has told them they are wrong about. It is time that they mature and move on and deal with the issues that are facing the country, not the question of someone’s skin or ethnic background,” said Mr Symonette.
By TIFFANY GRANT, Tribune Staff Reporter
