By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

There is no denying the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has been
provoked by the Free National Movement and especially by the
Opposition leader Michael Pintard and deputy leader Shanendon
Cartwright following their actions in the House of Assembly on
Wednesday December 4 th when Cartwright threw the Speakers Mace, the
symbol of authority out of the northeast window.
Mr. Cartwright and the FNM Members of Parliament who were all
subsequently ejected from the House of Parliament said their actions
came following mounting frustration as a result of the Speaker Patricia
Deveaux attempting to silence their voices and ultimately the voices of
the people on a number of issues of national importance.
The first time the Mace was thrown out of a window from the House of
Assembly was 59 years ago on April 27 th 1965 when Lynden Pindling
then Leader of the Opposition tossed it from the upper window into the
street below as the Opposition at the time sought to garner support for
electoral change especially in relation to the gerrymandering of
constituency boundaries. Milo Butler threw the hour glass out. The
event is historically known as Black Tuesday.
The mimicking or repeat of the historical 1965 incident by the Official
Opposition seemed to irk the governing PLP who on Friday took direct
aim at the perpetrator by staging a rally in Mr. Cartwright’s constituency
of St. Barnabas where the overwhelming theme was that the PLP is
ready for non-violent political warfare in the lead up to the 2026 general
elections.

Prime Minister Philip Davis took direct aim at the FNM deputy leader
suggesting that his political career will soon be done and accusing him
of neglecting his constituents and encouraging the constituents of St.
Barnabas to support Halkitis.
Senator Michael Halkitis is expected to be the PLP’s candidate in St.
Barnabas.
In the 2021 Cartwright was one of three FNM candidates to win their
seat in New Providence. He won 49 percent of the votes beating
Halkitis by 111 votes.
The race for St. Barnabas seat is expected to be a tight one once again.