February 28, 2002
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for coming here this morning.
Let me say, firstly, how grateful we are to Almighty God for the events that have transpired in this country over the last twenty-four hours.It was a magnificent victory for the people of The Bahamas.They are the true and only winners in yesterday’s referendum.
I am especially gratified that the Bahamian people have spoken in such resounding numbers.I believe that they understood our position and why we arrived at that position.I am satisfied that my personal position has been vindicated.
I would like to thank our religious and civic leaders for speaking out so wisely and courageously to the Bahamian people on the referendum issues and the flawed process the Government was following.I would especially like to salute His Grace archbishop Gomez; the President of the Bahamas Christian Council, Bishop Greene; Bishop Neil C. Ellis; and reverend Dr. William Thompson who, with many other leaders, both religious and civic, gave good counsel to the Bahamian people.
There are some important lessons to be learned from yesterday’s referendum.
Firstly, the results demonstrate that the Bahamian people are not “dump and stupid” as some of our national leaders would have is believe.Rather, the Bahamian people demonstrated yesterday that they can separate fact from fiction and that they can and will make up their minds intelligently and rationally based on what they honestly believe to be in their best interests and the best interests of our nation.
Secondly, the results demonstrate just how important and sacred the Bahamian people regard their constitution.It is their constitution; their contract with each other.And the clear and unmistakable signal that the Bahamian people telegraphed yesterday is that they do not want any Government messing with “their things” unless they, the people, are fully includedin the process of constitutional reform from start to finish – and that the process of constitutional reform must never be rushed.
Thirdly, I believe that yesterday’s results demonstrate that Bahamians, both black and white, found common cause to beat back the Government’s referendum objectives.This should stand as a less on to those who arrogantly presumed to speak on behalf of white Bahamians.Their authority to do so was eloquently repudiated yesterday when white Bahamians joined with their black compatriots in defeating the government in the referendum.
Fourthly, it is important to understand that yesterday’s results do not mean that the Bahamian people rejected equality for women.Not do the results mean that the people are against an independent boundaries commission or a Teaching Service Commission or any of the other constitutional proposals.On the contrary, the Bahamian people were simply saying that if these proposals are to be advanced, they must be advanced properly and carefully.The people, by voting No, were saying that if you try to rush the process, you not only deny sufficient time for public education and discussion but you also end up with a great many errors and flaws which only serve to complicate matters even further.This is an important lesion for this Government and all future Governments of The Bahamas.
Finally, it is regrettable that the Prime Minister said this morning that he is happy that by contending for a yeas vote he will be remembered as being on the right side of history.The implication of that statement was that the Bahamian people, by voting No, were on the wrong side of history.Speaking for myself, it satisfies me to know that I was on the side of the people.
But now is not the time to gloat.It is the country that has won.And we are all the better for it.