Copyright thenassauguardian
Golden Isles voters are in the throes of being serenaded with speeches, smiles, and promises. The banners are up, the music has started, and the campaign machines are whirring once again – at least the mechanisms of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). But as the constituency prepares for a by-election set for November 24, residents would do well to temper their expectations after the outcome. If history is any indication, Golden Isles is unlikely to see much in the way of meaningful governance or development from the PLP – and, frankly, even less in the way of representation from the Free National Movement (FNM), which appears unsure whether it even wants to compete. This might seem cynical, but it is born out of the weight of experience. The late Vaughn Miller, who represented Golden Isles, was not known for delivering transformative change under either party. During his time with the FNM, Miller’s independence and eventual break with the Minnis administration left him isolated and ineffective, not that much was being done in the constituency prior to that. After joining the PLP, he was again swallowed by the inertia that defines far too many backbenchers. He was overshadowed by larger personalities and drowned out by the noise of party politics. His passing was tragic, but the record of progress for his constituency remains thin. The PLP’s candidate, Darron Pickstock, has been presented as a man who “gets things done”. But we have yet to point to anything meaningful he has done in government as chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, or as a PLP senator thus far. Prime Minister Philip Davis praised him at the PLP’s Southwest Link Up rally Monday, calling him a hardworking achiever and champion for entrepreneurs and small farmers. Pickstock himself declared that he is “the only person in this race who can do the job”, though notably lacking were any objectives for the constituency he would work toward. If constituents of Golden Isles want a glimpse of what they can expect from a newly elected PLP representative, they need only look to the constituency of West Grand Bahama and Bimini. Two years ago, that seat was hailed as a cornerstone of the PLP’s vision for progress. Kingsley Smith was introduced with fanfare, promised support from the prime minister, and held up as the man to “get things done”. Two years later, residents are still waiting. Smith’s performance, much like that of many other PLP MPs, has been underwhelming. Despite holding another government post to supposedly enhance his effectiveness, his presence in national affairs has been barely noticed, his accomplishments minimal, and his promises largely unfulfilled. We know the drill by now: campaign with intense energy, then drift slowly into the sludge of government morass. Even if Pickstock means every word he says, he will enter Parliament with less than a year left before a general election – hardly enough time to implement serious change. And with the constituency almost certain to be redrawn in the next boundary review, it is difficult to imagine that the government will dedicate significant resources to an area that may not even exist in its current form by this time next year. The most residents should expect is some short-term attention. Look for a few road patches, some streetlights, home repairs, and a couple of photo opportunities before attention shifts elsewhere after the election. Meanwhile, the FNM looks increasingly adrift. A month after Miller’s death, the party remains unable to decide whether it will even contest the by-election. FNM Leader Michael Pintard, who, shortly after Miller’s death, repeatedly insisted his party is ready for a general election, now appears paralyzed when faced with a political calculation he had to know was coming. The absence of any firm statement from the FNM’s chairman or deputy leader reinforces the impression of a fractured, uncertain organization. The smaller parties, like the Coalition of Independents (COI) have done little to inspire confidence. The COI’s candidate’s recent social media appearance makes one question if he understands even the basics of constituency representation. Golden Isles voters should make sure they get what tangible benefits they can, legitimately and transparently, during this campaign period because the cold truth is that once the by-election is over, the national focus will immediately pivot to the general election. If you are registered to vote in Golden Isles, vote your conscience; vote your interest, but real representation is likely not on the table in this election.
