Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday that Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash spoke on behalf of the FNM when he called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to apologize for campaigning against the 2002 constitutional referendum.
Although he did not want to comment on too many specifics of Cash's recent statement, Minnis said "the chairman represents and spoke for the party" on that issue.
Since Cash issued that statement last week, he and Christie have exchanged blows.
Cash said an apology is needed to heal old wounds.
Christie said, "The leader of the opposition, unlike Darron Cash, is an elected official who I would pay attention to.
"Darron Cash is a fellow traveler, a fellow Bahamian, who has an office, and I pay no attention to him at all with respect to that because it is political."
The prime minister also said he was uncertain whether the FNM shared Cash's view on the matter.
He said the time has long gone for an apology, but he will provide an "explanation".
In response, Cash said Christie can ignore the sentiments of thousands of
Bahamians at his peril.
Asked directly whether an apology from Christie could build support for the
November 6 referendum, Minnis sidestepped the question.
He said he does not know what the prime minister wants to do or what he will ultimately do in that regard.
"As far as the referendum, the FNM has always been in favor of women equality and we will stand by that," he said.
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts, who was contacted for comment, said the events leading up to the 2002 referendum are recorded history.
"If the decision today is the right thing to do they (electorate) ought to do it for the women of The Bahamas, and move on," he said.
"It would be a case of ego clinging to what happened before."
The government tabled four bills to amend the constitution last month.
The bills will institute full equality between men and women in matters of citizenship and will eliminate discrimination in The Bahamas based on sex.
Debate on the four bills started in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
In order for constitutional changes to take place, the bills must be approved with at least three-quarters support in both the House and Senate.
The bills must then be approved by a simple majority of voters in a referendum.
The referendum is set for November 6.
Cash recently said both Minnis and Christie will have a considerable amount of work to do to win the support of rank and file FNMs and FNM supporters to ensure bi-partisanship on the referendum.
When asked whether FNMs and FNM supporters have expressed concern about the proposed referendum, Minnis said he would comment on that at a later date.
He added that FNM MPs will present their views during the debate, which is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Last Friday, Leader of Government Business in the House Dr. Bernard Nottage, who has responsibility for elections, said if there is not unanimous support for the proposed constitutional amendments, the government would not proceed to a referendum.
Several MPs have expressed concern about the bills: Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller (PLP), Marco City MP Gregory Moss (PLP), Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells (PLP), Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins (PLP) and Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn (FNM).
Referring to concerns expressed by MPs about the bills, Minnis said that is "PLP business" as a result of "internal issues", but the FNM has been and continues to support gender equality and it will not deviate from that position.
It did not appear that Minnis was yet aware that Lightbourn has also raised concerns about at least one of the bills.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
