Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis told The Bahama Journal yesterday that whenever the government tables the regulations to make web shop gaming legal in The Bahamas the FNM will not support it.

When Tourism and Gaming Minister Obie Wilchcombe made the announcement in the House of Assembly on Wednesday that the government will bring legislation to Parliament that would seek to have web shops regulated by July 1, he said he would be seeking the Opposition’s support on this move.

However, Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said his party cannot support the proposed plans because it goes against democracy and the will of the Bahamian people who overwhelmingly voted “No” in the gaming referendum last January.

“The people voted and the Opposition will be on the side with the people,” Dr. Minnis said.

“We will fight for the people. They have spoken. We are a people’s party. We will be on their side.”

Dr. Minnis said the government does not appear to be working in favour of the people that put them in power.

He added that they must now allow them to vote in a new government, as is the case in normal democratic nations.

“You see, the issue is not the web shop itself,” he said, “The issue is democracy.”

“The people voted. Now for the government to overturn the people’s decision, that’s undemocratic. That’s essentially dictatorial. So why should the people in future referenda vote when you have a government that does not respect democracy and their views?”

During his remarks on Wednesday, Minister Wilchcombe said he does not listen to opinion polls as they could sway a politician’s mind when making decisions.

According to Dr. Minnis, this latest decision by the government has spoiled all of their chances of getting Bahamians to vote in another referendum.