"Major political parties have a role, but they are incapable of initiating fundamental change because they are fundamentally tied to the status quo. They are the status quo."
-- Marianne Williamson
Over the past two weeks, we examined the initial platforms of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the United Bahamian Party (UBP) which were formed in 1953 and 1958, respectively.
This week, we would like to Consider this... What were the essential elements of the initial platform of the country's third major political party, the Free National Movement (FNM)?
The FNM was established in 1971 and was comprised of The Free PLP, a breakaway group of eight members of Parliament from the then-governing PLP. This group, commonly referred to as the "Dissident Eight," included Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, Arthur Foulkes, Warren J. Levarity, Maurice Moore, Dr. Curtis McMillan, James (Jimmy) Shepherd, Dr. Elwood Donaldson and George Thompson. In October 1971, Cecil Wallace-Whitfield became the FNM's leader.
The UBP governed The Bahamas from 1958, until it lost the 1967 general election by a razor-thin margin to the opposition PLP, ushering in majority rule.
The UBP's leadership was predominantly white, while blacks made up most of the citizenry. Once defeated in 1967, its leaders decided that the party's time was at an end and looked to the Free PLP to form a new party that would follow a conservative party line. The fusion was called the Free National Movement.
The initial platform
The FNM's initial platform contained considerably more details than the PLP's platform of 1953. The FNM's document featured important policies that included detailed planks under the headings of: constitution and government, education, the economy, tourism, development, and finances and taxation, the environment, health and welfare, works and utilities, industrial relations, immigration and social laws. This week, we will address the platform planks related to constitution and government, education, the economy, tourism, development, and finances and taxation.
Constitution and government
The platform proposed that independence for The Bahamas "should not be sought now, nor at any time before the next two general elections." The PLP campaign for the general elections of 1972 proposed that, should they be victorious, independence would be immediately sought. The PLP won those elections and, by 1973, these islands were granted independence from Great Britain.
The FNM also believed that "The principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet... should be implemented by close consultation between the prime minister and other ministers, particularly in advance of any action which might have a serious effect on the country; and, further, that the government maintain better communications with the other elected representatives of the people".
The platform also proposed that the prime minister and other ministers should "consult with individual representatives whenever practicable prior to taking decisions which would seriously affect their constituencies." The platform stated that the prime minister should "consult with and get the consensus of his Cabinet before dismissing any minister...", and that "certain public services and utilities be disestablished" in order "to provide greater efficiency".
Education
The FNM platform proposed that, "Government upgrade the status of teachers so as to attract more of the most suitable Bahamians to the teaching profession, thus giving Bahamian children the cultural and psychological advantage of being tutored by Bahamians." It also recognized that "While there is a shortage of qualified Bahamian teachers, Bahamian children should not... be made to suffer, and every effort be made to recruit from overseas the qualified teachers who will assist in the upgrading of Bahamian education."
Also proposed was, "Greatest care be taken not only in planning suitable curricula, but also the physical environment which will be conducive to total learning" and that "central secondary schools with vocational and technical training be provided throughout the Commonwealth". In addition, nursery schools should "be provided to assist working mothers who now have difficulty in obtaining suitable care for their infants".
The economy
The FNM proposed: "While proceeding with the development of a central bank, no attempts be made by the government to enter into commercial banking." Also proposed was that "government's efforts be redoubled to stimulate economic growth in every part of the country through the attraction of foreign capital." It also maintained that "nationalization of private enterprises be avoided".
Tourism
In the area of tourism, the FNM proposed that "... the Ministry of Tourism be provided with a budget for the development of tourist amenities and for the restoration, protection and preservation of natural and historic tourist attractions."
The platform maintained that "while improving its traditional market in the U.S. the Ministry of Tourism intensify its program for the development of other markets such as Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia."
Furthermore, government should "undertake and encourage private enterprise to undertake the creation or restoration of tourist attractions Over-the-Hill in New Providence and in the Out Islands."
The party suggested that "New Providence be zoned for the purpose of tourist development so that greater encouragement is given for the expansion of "tourist accommodation to such areas as the south shore and Over-the-Hill, and that even greater encouragement should be given for the creation of tourist facilities in the Out Islands."
The platform also provided that, "A suitable spot be selected for the creation of a market which will serve as a center for the exposition and sale of Bahamian handicraft, art, food and entertainment." Also proposed: "The Ministry of Tourism promote domestic tourism and special incentives be provided to encourage the construction of inexpensive accommodation in the islands of the Commonwealth."
Development
In the area of development of the country, the FNM posited that plans should be "made for land use and development throughout the islands of The Bahamas", and that "greater care be taken to prevent the proliferation of cheap and unimaginative architecture and to encourage Bahamian styles in public and commercial buildings". The FNM committed to providing Bahamian farmers and fishermen with greater assistance in "co-operative efforts which will improve their methods and productivity". Also included was a proposition that "experimental livestock breeding be encouraged on a larger scale".
Finance and taxation
The FNM was committed to the principle that income tax would not be introduced and that "The real property tax be abolished for low and middle cost homes and for low and middle income families." The FNM also committed to the government making "public a statement of account on a regular basis".
Conclusion
Few would question the noble objectives and intentions of the FNM as it sought to establish a platform that would address what it perceived as the shortcomings of the platform that was published by the PLP 20 years earlier. The FNM had the benefit of four years of PLP governance after majority rule and believed that the PLP's misdirected agenda provided a launching pad for the country's newest party. The FNM was formed from a perception that the PLP, in its early days, had lost its way and was deficient in achieving its national objectives. Its platform attempted to address some of those deficiencies.
As we continue our look at the foundational, core values of our political parties, next week we will complete our review of the remaining planks of the FNM's initial platform by including the environment, health and welfare, works and utilities, industrial relations, immigration and social laws.
o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.
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