Dear Editor,
It was interesting reading in The Nassau Guardian and watching on NB-12 after the Opening of Parliament the comments of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. He is almost all gone from elected public life, but he still clearly has great passion for public affairs - and he is not afraid of saying what he thinks.
He agreed with parts of the Speech from the Throne of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration, focusing in on what he termed as a more doable version of its mortgage relief plan now as opposed to what the party proposed during the election campaign. With this public support of a plan from his former adversaries, Ingraham demonstrated that he can rise above partisanship.
Ingraham can never really retire. He loves politics and governance too much. The question will be what role he plays from the sidelines going forward. He should set aside the political battle suit he has worn for so many years and work towards being the elder statesman of the nation - that is, that reasoned voice on public policy and governance who speaks for the betterment of the country. And the more non-partisan he is, the more his words will be respected by the citizenry and the governing party.
If Ingraham adopts the posture of an elder statesman, he will elevate his legacy. He would also help the country by offering his wise assessments based on his vast experience.
When Sir Lynden Pindling retired in 1997 he did not have enough time left to have a post-politics career, as he was suffering from terminal cancer. Ingraham is likely to be around for a while, as he is in reasonable health as far as we know. Therefore, he will be the first prime minister of long standing to have an extended post-political career. How he conducts himself could set the standard for other future prime ministers when they leave office.
The bitterness over the 2012 campaign is still fresh in the minds of members of the governing party. But at some point in the future, if Ingraham decides to be non-partisan, the PLP should look to engage him in some way in some form of national service such as is done in the United States with former presidents. George Bush Sr., George Bush Jr., Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter have all given service after their presidencies to worthwhile national causes after being asked by Democratic and Republican presidents. We in The Bahamas should follow this model with our ex-leaders. We should not try to embarrass them with ridiculous inquires just to settle old political scores.
Some PLPs think Ingraham did this to Sir Lynden so it should be done to him. With that logic, then a Free National Movement (FNM) administration would do it to Perry Christie some day and the vicious cycle would never be broken.
At some point someone has to do the right thing and honor the service of our old leaders and continue to use their expertise rather that trying to tear them down at the end of their lives.
- Darwin R. Luther
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