Mitchell: PM’s warning over lockdown an “idle threat”

Mitchell: PM’s warning over lockdown an “idle threat”
Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell charged today that the prime minister’s about-turn on the lockdown of the country came as a result from an impending revolt from businessmen and residents throughout the country

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the reopening of commercial activity with certain restrictions on August 31.

During a joint press conference with the Ministry of Health, the prime minister said early data on cases in New Providence indicated the need for more restrictive measures, but over the last 24-hours, health officials have shifted the recommendation given new analysis.

The change comes a week after the prime minister announced an immediate full lockdown for New Providence, which he rescinded a day later.

“When political pressure gets on your head you stop doing fool quickly,” Mitchell said in a voice note.

“So when those 184 businessmen in Freeport said enough is enough, Minnis said I gee.

“In New Providence, revolt was coming. Even Lyford Cay was in revolt. Hubert Minnis said last night I gee.

“Even in Harbour Island, revolt was coming. Even down in Inagua, people had had enough.

“For six months this prime minister has been doing the herkey-jerky, up and down, lock us down, lock us up, lecturing and heckling, it was all a complete and utter failure.”

Mitchell noted that the prime minister had blamed Tropical Storm Laura for the “collapse” of his anti-COVID regime.

“Last night, he was hiding behind the gown tail of Dr. Merceline Dalh-Regis, who he brought back from retirement after one month to run the policy of anti-COVID,” he continued.

“His speech last night was a complete and utter collapse of his regime. His Minister of Health Renward Wells was in the tall grass. Now all of the ministers have to report to us. Sounds like election talk to us.”

Mitchell insisted that the prime minister’s warnings over another possible lockdown if conditions worsened is just an idle threat.

“We all know that can’t happen; idle threat,” he said.

“This economy cannot take the Minnis herky-jerky again. We need certainty

“So congratulations to the vendors of Potter’s Cay and Arawak Cay. You’ve done it, you’re back in business. And congratulations to all who took to the streets.

“We must find a way to save our lives and save this economy at the same time.”

The PLP chairman insisted that the prime minister receives no props for the change in direction.

“Only one more thing prime minister, you gotta resign, and let’s give Brave Davis a chance to lead this country,” Mitchell added.

“Seven days ago we were all going to die if we weren’t going into lockdown. Seven days later, the country is wide open.

“This Minnis administration is a laughing stock of the world. What a complete joke.”

 

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.