Election, Uncertainties & Many Firsts

• Author: Derence A. Rolle Davis
• Pages: 149-162

The Law: The Social and Economic Effect on The Bahamas 2000 - 2020

33. ELECTION, UNCERTAINTIES &

MANY FIRSTS

During this period of growth and development in Bahamian history and

having reached at least two decades of independence, The Bahamas also saw

many firsts as it embarked upon embracing the equal opportunity agenda.

Women within The Bahamas therefore saw more opportunities to be recognised

and to take leadership than ever before.

For instance, Dame Joan Sawyer achieved several firsts and led the

judiciary, the third arm of government, for more than five years when she was

appointed the first female Chief Justice in 1996. Dame Joan was later appointed

first female President of the Court of Appeal, the highest court within the

country for several years, replacing Edward Zacca. The Hon. Janet Bostwick was

the first elected female to the House of Assembly. Dame Ivy Dumont succeeded

Sir Orville Turnquest as Governor General of the Commonwealth of The

Bahamas in 2002 and in so doing became the first female Governor General. The

first female Deputy Prime Minister, Cynthia “Mother” Pratt was also named

during this year.

Additionally, in 2005 Wendy Craigg became the first female to be

appointed as Governor of the Central Bank, replacing Julian Francis. Vernice

Walkine was named the first female Director General of Tourism as Vincent

Vanderpool Wallace demitted office. These are significant to show that although

many consider women as in the minority this is clearly an indication that in The

Bahamas they are not.

The year 2017 marked the first time in The Bahamas that a sitting Prime

Minister was unseated during general elections. Veteran politician and Prime

Minister, Perry Christie, the representative for the constituency of Centreville lost

his seat to a novice Parliamentarian, Reece Chipman.

The FNM government politically slaughtered the PLP in a landslide

victory in the general elections, winning 35 of the 39 seats. Phillip Davis became

leader of the PLP. The makeup of the Cabinet is 17 members of Parliament and

one senator, for a total of 18, excluding the PM who determined that he would be

without a portfolio. Note that the previous administration had 13 Cabinet

members, which included the PM and DPM.

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