Today In History: May 16

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, in 2013, a bill to rename the Labour Day holiday the “Randol Fawkes Labour Day” made its way to Parliament.

Sir Randol Fawkes is often referred to as “the Father of Labour” in The Bahamas because of the work he did to establish the country’s trade union. He was also a civil rights activist and author. He is best known for the part he played in the 1967 general election.

Sir Randol was even knighted by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in 1978.

The bill to establish Labour Day as a public holiday was passed by the House of Assembly in 1961. The holiday is meant to be a memorial to the contributions made by the working people in the name of progressing the country.

On this holiday, members of the labour unions from different organizations, as well as political parties, march in a large parade that often ends at the southern recreation grounds, where union leaders and local politicians deliver speeches.

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Also in 2013, former Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts weighed in on the firing of then National Insurance Board Director Algernon Cargill who was given the boot the day before. 

The previous year the Christie administration launched a forensic investigation into allegations against Cargill.

The PLP-chosen NIB board, also accused Cargill of being in conflict because he rented an apartment from his brother and further accused him of spending more than $200,000 on NIB’s credit card within a period of three years.

But, the forensic audit did not confirm any wrongdoing.

It was later revealed that the probe cost the government more than $860,000. Five years later then Public Services Minister Brensil Rolle confirmed the government reached a settlement with Cargill over his firing.

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And finally in 2016 Dr. Andre Rollins, who was the then Fort Charlotte MP was pressed by the media about the Progressive Liberal Party choosing Alfred Sears as their candidate for the 2017 General Elections.

Sears has previously won the seat two times, but Rollins won the seat in 2012 after running on the PLP’s ticket.

But by 2015, Dr. Rollins became highly critical of the Christie administration and eventually resigned from the party before crossing the floor and joining the opposition FNM.

When asked if he was concerned about going head to head with Sears, Rollins implied he was only a big name.