EDITOR, The Tribune.

In the run up to the 2017 election, seemingly the entire Bahamian media fixated on some leaked email exchanges involving Jerome Fitzgerald. The narrative was that, as Minister of Education at the time, Mr. Fitzgerald broke some (as yet unspecified) rule relating to conflicts of interests.

It was an appalling mischaracterisation, based on total ignorance of Westminster conventions (which Mr Fitzgerald’s actions did not in any way breach) and animated by a deeply biased media (compare the reaction to Brent Symmonette’s documented conflicts of interests).

There is nothing improper about a minister discussing a private contractual matter that has no relation to his ministerial portfolio with a private citizen. If there were, then every minister who ever haggled with a taxi driver over a fare, or negotiated a sale or purchase of property, would be guilty of impropriety. It was arrant nonsense.

But it worked. So, predictably, the FNM propaganda machine is at it again. This time images are appearing of PLP leader Brave Davis in unflattering postures or in controversial company, while words like “corruption” are recklessly thrown about. No evidence is offered. Just hints and innuendoes, targeting simple and prejudiced minds.

Do these people think Bahamians are stupid enough to have forgotten their refusal to disclose to the auditor general the full list of beneficiaries of covid-19 related public expenditures? Or the crooked Oban affair with its still-missing file? Or the political show trials that ended in utter failure (and for which they refuse to disclose the costs to the public, who funded them)? Apparently so.

For a party that has virtually nothing to show for its various stints in power aside from the steady decline of our middle class and the advancement of foreign and plutocratic interests at the expense of Bahamians, there was never going to be anything to appeal to in voters apart from cheap prejudice and over-played stereotypes. So these tactics really shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Nonetheless, Bahamians have every right to feel insulted that, when called upon for an accounting of four wasted, tortuous years in office, all their government can do is scramble for the same old tired playbook of lies, gossip and distraction.

ANDREW ALLEN

Nassau,

August 22, 2021.