Dear Editor,

On June 23, 2016, the British public voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (EU). The objective was either to leave the EU or to remain. 'Brexit', the term used for Britain's exit from the EU, was voted in favor of - roughly 52 percent to exit and 48 percent to remain. The people of Britain voted against remaining in the EU, against the wishes of most of the members of Parliament and the prime minister, David Cameron.

As soon as the results were known, David Cameron announced that, as a result of the failed referendum, he would step down as prime minister. This was the honorable thing to do and is in keeping with Westminster conventions and democratic principles. Cameron took responsibility and moved decisively to ensure that there would be a smooth transition from the results of the plebiscite. He assured the public that he would not hinder Britain's march forward, nor would he stand in the way to prevent the wishes of the people being executed.

Indeed, David Cameron stated that the UK needed fresh leadership. He also said that the will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. He added that he had made it clear that the referendum was about this and this alone (that Britain was stronger, safer and better within the EU), not the future of any single politician, including himself.

Notwithstanding that, Cameron informed everyone that he was going and would stay on only for another few months. He did not make an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot. He did the honorable thing and resigned. He and his minions did not blamed the failed result on anyone, nor did they in turn call the British people, those who voted to exit, unintelligent. They accepted the right of the people to exercise their franchise the way their conscience dictated.

Compare the UK prime minister's conduct with that of our current prime minister, Perry Christie. On June 7, 2016, the Bahamian people voted in a referendum dubbed the equality referendum. This referendum was supposed to give men and women equal rights under the constitution. The narrative was that this was a vote for "your future, your children and your children's children". Christie fully supported the referendum and ensured that more than $1 million was spent to secure the yes vote. However, it failed and failed miserably. This was just another of a myriad of flops by Christie and his government.

Now after the failed referendum what does Christie do? He blamed Dr. Hubert Minnis for not overtly supporting the yes campaign. He blamed the Bahamian people for wanting to "pay them back", for campaigning against a similar referendum in 2002 and for not keeping his word in the failed referendum of 2013. He blamed the Bahamian people for not trusting him and his minions when it was clear that they are untrustworthy.

To add insult to injury, he made an asinine comment about his name not being on the ballot of June 7, 2016. The honorable thing for Christie to do is to resign, even though some time has passed since the failed referendum. He should still take the principled decision and follow the respectable stand taken by David Cameron and go.

In 2002, after the failed referendum put forward by the then government of Hubert Ingraham, both Fred Mitchell and Dr. Bernard Nottage called for Ingraham to resign. The call was disingenuous, as the referendum of 2002 was held in February of that year and general election was in May of that year. Mitchell, in his usual tired hubris, encouraged all and sundry to vote no. Thereafter they called for Ingraham's resignation.

Interestingly enough, we have not heard the call from Nottage for Christie to resign, nor have we heard the call from Mitchell for Christie to resign. The silence is deafening. One has to wonder if the cat has gotten their tongues.

We submit that Christie must resign if he is an honorable man. If he does, he would comply with Westminster conventions and best parliamentary practices.

Mr. Christie, in the name of everything that is good and decent, just go!

- Raymond A. Rolle good and decent, just go! - Raymond A. Rolle

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