The PLP and Whataboutery in Bahamian Politics

Over the years, Bahamian politicians have mastered the art of not directly responding to

questions posed by the media, opposition parties, constituents and the general public. The use of

deadcatting to avoid tough questions or deflect from difficult situations in which a sitting

government finds itself has also been quite rampant in the current dispensation.

There is however hardly any other tactic employed by Bahamian politicians more than

whataboutery or whataboutism. Whataboutery is a strategy used to avoid having to address a

difficult topic directly or head on. This strategy entails the act of responding to an accusation,

wrongdoing or difficult question by making a counter-accusation, claiming that someone else

committed a similar or worse offence or simply raising a different issue. Does this sound

familiar in the Bahamian context? If it does, it is because this is the reality of our politics.

Changing the narrative

Finger pointing has become the favorite pastime of our political leaders when called upon to

take responsibility for their actions and explain their decisions. The rationale behind the

pointing of fingers appears to be the need to deflect from the issue at hand and redirecting the

attention to political opponents. In essence, the objective is to take the heat off of the

government and change the narrative.

This practice is reminiscent of a child caught red handed in a misdemeanor who quickly reminds

the parent that he or she is not the only guilty one. In Bahamian politics, the governing party is

always on the defensive while accusing the Official Opposition of lacking the moral authority to

question their bad decisions or actions based on the latter’s record and past deeds in office. If

successful in their execution of whataboutery, the government is often able to change the

narrative and headline news.

Hypocrisy vs Effective Opposition

A sitting government will often utilize whataboutery to highlight the hypocrisy of its

predecessors while simultaneously shifting attention away from the issue at hand or divert from

skullduggery. In doing so, the government must be mindful that the Official Opposition is an

essential part of our democracy. They provide the much needed checks and balance on the

government on behalf of the Bahamian people.

It is against this backdrop, that attempts to silence the opposition must be condemned. There

must be tolerance for constructive criticism and valid arguments that are not aligned with the

government's position. Digging up old news and historical information to throw off the populace

on matters of national importance might be good for party politics but it is not in the national

interest. This is the playbook of the current Davis-led administration. All one has do is listen to

the regular voice notes of the national chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the Hon.

Fred Mitchell, who has become the poster child and captain of whataboutism.

Beyond the smokescreen

Leaders should be concerned when everyone around them become quiet as it is often an

indication that the Emperor is naked but unaware. Whataboutery is one of the oldest tricks in

the political playbook in The Bahamas used to excite blind party loyalists and distract the

gullible masses. It steers attention from incompetence, inadequacies, failures and scandalous

behavior. It ultimately robs the electorate of a transparent and accountable government.

The saying that two wrongs don’t make a right is ever so true. Regardless of the political party in

power, wrong is wrong no matter who is doing it. As an example, the displaying of crime

statistics in tourist areas by the PLP during an election campaign was wrong then and would be

wrong in 2024. The Bahamian people are tired of our government playing football on key issues

impacting their lives on a daily basis.

Culprits in the blame game

Bahamians have seen the employment of well designed tactics aimed at bamboozling the

populace to paint a picture different from the stark reality. The comparison of current economic

indicators to performance during a period greatly impacted by global shutdowns and economic

contractions due to the COVID pandemic is an example. Then there is the imposition of VAT on

breadbasket items by the current administration who in turn points to the increase in the VAT

rate under the former administration while omitting the fact that it was the PLP that

implemented the regressive VAT in the first place.

What about the Public Accounts Committee whose work has been stifled under the current

administration albeit the PLP lamented the same issue while in opposition. The Leader of the

Official Opposition and Opposition Members of Parliament have lamented attempts to suppress

their collective voices but have been met with references to what happened under another FNM

administration. What about the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act? The

PLP administration continues to reference the actions of the Free National Movement (FNM)

while failing to take responsibility and deliver effective governance.

Answering the questions

Confronted by questions about the BPL deal and the decision not to have a competitive bidding

process despite having almost three years to do so, the Davis-led administration resurrected the

BTC deal under a previous FNM administration. While there are varying opinions on the sale of

BTC, there was a competitive bidding process, the bidders were known to the public and the new

owners were internationally known.

The PLP administration has also refused to answer the numerous questions posed by the Official

Opposition in the House of Assembly. As at the time Parliament was prorogued in August 2023,

there were 119 unanswered questions. The government has used the lack of response to

questions under the last administration as justification for their nonchalance and failure to

answer questions posed on behalf of the Bahamian people. Questions still linger about the cost

of the 50th Independence celebration, the Bermuda trip, cost of the Dubai trip, Water and

Sewage Corporation, BPL hedge program, ultimate beneficial ownership of Bahamas Grid

Company, recipients of contracts without a tender process and the immigration fiasco among

others.

An end in sight

Whataboutery in Bahamian politics will likely never be discontinued as politicians have found

this tactic to be effective during their tenure. However, what they have failed to realize is that by

pointing fingers and justifying their lack of accountability, they are doomed to repeat the cycle of

one term administrations. Bahamian voters are more savvy than they get credit for and they can

spot attempts to use whataboutery to deflect or distract.

It is mindboggling that a sitting government would continue to hide behind the actions of its

predecessor in a bid to justify bad decisions currently being made by them. After three years in

office, the political identity of this Davis-led administration continues to be defined by finger

pointing, the blame game, corruption and a lack of transparency and accountability. For an

administration elected by a minority of registered voters, their lackluster performance leaves

much to be desired. We are witnessing an administration that is stunningly disconnected from

the plight of the masses struggling with high taxes, a cost of living crisis, a crime epidemic, a

failing healthcare system, nonchalant leadership and poor governance.

Arinthia S. Komolafe

a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com