Hours after Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts announced that the PLP is urging Bahamians to vote yes on the upcoming gambling referendum, he released a statement saying this is in fact not the party's position. Roberts announced the original 'yes' position at his party's Women's Branch meeting at which time he accused Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis of "flip-flopping" on his position on the referendum. Shortly after Roberts' speech, The Nassau Guardian asked Prime Minister Perry Christie whether he knew that the PLP's position is that Bahamians should vote yes on the referendum. Christie said he knew nothing about that being the position and had not seen Roberts' speech.
"I would actually have to see it," said the prime minister, who spoke to The Nassau Guardian at another Sunday afternoon function. "It would be very unfair to even accept that as so." A few hours later, Roberts released a statement on the matter. "It is well documented that I support a yes vote in the upcoming referendum and I do so proudly. Many in my party agree; some do not," he said last night. "I want to however make it abundantly clear that the official position of the Progressive Liberal Party regarding the referendum is that the Bahamian people should vote their conscience on this matter on January 28, 2013." A few hours earlier, he said in his speech sent to the media: "The PLP urges all Bahamians to see the broader national picture and vote yes on referendum day."
Roberts also said at the Women's Branch meeting, "Contrary to the public relations of the no vote campaign, in my humble opinion the majority of Bahamians will cast their votes in favor of the yes vote as those who participate in web cafes and lotteries strongly desire to have the long dark clouds removed from their heads." Roberts said a yes vote would legitimize the viable and profitable industry and remove the black market stigma the industry has carried for decades. "A yes vote eliminates the current underground cash economy connected with the industry, protects the Bahamian economy and provides a legitimate platform for expanded economic empowerment and ownership opportunities for many Bahamians.
The PLP is now obliged to encourage Bahamians to make this bold and progressive step in the economic interest of the country by voting yes on referendum day." Roberts added that regulating the industry would bring greater accountability and transparency to the current illegal industry. "So it's a win-win proposition for all Bahamians," he said. Prime Minister Christie has repeatedly said the government "has no horse in the race". Last week, the Free National Movement (FNM) urged Bahamians to vote no. As noted, Roberts criticized Minnis for flip-flopping on the issue.
"On August 20, 2012, Dr. Minnis was quoted as saying 'I have nothing against individuals gambling in terms of lottery, buying numbers etc.' "He also indicated that he would vote in favor of legalization of the numbers industry," Roberts said. "He later said the following: 'I have said on numerous occasions, we do not intend to tell people how to vote. Every Bahamian should be guided by their conscience.' "And lo and behold by the 16 of January, 2013, Dr. Minnis had made a 180 degree turn on the issue and said that, 'the Free National Movement has concluded that it will recommend that the Bahamian people vote no on question number one'."
Roberts accused Minnis of being a man "who does not know his own mind." He said Bahamians should not trust the FNM leader. At a press conference last week, Minnis said, "I have said on numerous occasions, we do not intend to tell people how to vote. Every Bahamian should be guided by their conscience. "[But] we in the FNM believe things must be done in decency and in order. "By any objective measure, what we have now is a royal mess. "This process has been rushed by the government; it is flawed and it appears to be fixed. "The only answer we should give on referendum day is a resounding no." The gambling referendum will take place on January 28. The advanced poll is today.
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