THE RULE OF LAW

The press of The Bahamas made a cogent case last week about the current sate of message discipline in The Bahamas and its government.  They gave examples of the Government seeming to speak with one voice on the left and then over on the right another.  This was exacerbated lately by the fact that the Prime Minister had to say that there would be no increase in the National Insurance Contribution rates this year.  In another iteration of this column this week, we agreed with Myles Laroda, the Minister of State, that the increase must come and with the bluntness of the message but the argument said the press is that  the left hand must know what the right hand is doing.   But we seek to make a larger point here.  That point  is that  Government in The Bahamas is  by the consent of the governed.  It is also  governed by the intangible notion of the rule of law.  The rule of law requires collective responsibility of the Cabinet.  We must avoid situations where cabinet ministers appear to set out policies which are not in strict conformity with the instructions and policy decisions of the Cabinet. For example, announcing a policy change in the law which  the Cabinet has not agreed upon.  To be sure there are ways to say you have a personal opinion  but it must be at all times clear that you are not setting out policies for the Government which  will there require the Prime Minister to argue a negative. Similarly in making changes to personnel that are the remit of the government without reference to that body, hiring and firing.  Our best protection is when the collective will is fully employed.