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 one guilty. 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 diverting 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 balances 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. For example, the PLP’s display of crime statistics in tourist areas 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, the cost of the Dubai trip, the Water and Sewage Corporation, the BPL hedge program, the 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.
Written by: Arinthia S. Komolafe
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