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The opening of the Bahamas’ Parliament by Governor General Cynthia Pratt took place on Wednesday, marking the first time she oversaw the formal start of the parliamentary year as the king’s representative.

Pratt was appointed last month after the House was prorogued on August 12, nearly two years after the Progressive Liberal Party won the government.

It is a ceremonial event on the parliamentary calendar when the governor-general sets out the government’s agenda for the coming session of parliament.

It is a rare occurrence in Bahamian history since the House is typically prorogued to prepare for a general election. Prime Minister Philip Davis said it is his government’s attempt to renew its agenda after “passing over one hundred bills” in parliament.

Since it was prorogued, the Leader of Government Business Obie Wilchcombe died unexpectedly and now the government has appointed Wayne Munroe to the position after the house opened.

Photo credit: Theo Neilly and William Mortimer

The spotlight was on Parliament on Saturday as Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander read a proclamation from the Governor-General on the advice of Prime Minister Philip Davis, proroguing Parliament until October 4—a move that would kill all tabled questions and unfinished business, and expire all legislation.

The move comes two days after North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish was charged with five counts of rape, assault, and threats of death against a former girlfriend; and the Opposition continues to question Immigration Minister Keith Bell over his issuance of citizenship without due process.

Calls for Cornish and Bell’s resignations have gone unanswered and Davis remains mum over the controversies.

What does it mean to prorogue Parliament?

Proroguing the government means all sessions have ended. The legislature is prorogued by the Governor General, on the advice of the prime minister.

The move kills all bills and no committees are allowed to sit during a prorogation.

Proroguing Parliament can be a standard practice often used by political leaders to cancel existing legislation sitting before the House and set a new government agenda. It can also be used by political leaders to strategically prevent certain businesses from happening.

Has it happened before?

It was used in August 2021 as Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis called a snap election, amid a spat with House Speaker Halson Moultrie who attempted to hold an “open parliament” in the square, accusing Minnis and his Cabinet of “unconstitutionally” shutting down the Parliament for an “unprecedented period” of time.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham reportedly prorogued the House every two years and Former PM Perry Christie prorogued the House in 2006 to reshuffle his Cabinet.

• The Bahamas government has already purchased 40 new cars  and rented out five floors of Atlantis for the royal family

Prince William and his wife Kate are on their way to the Bahamas to mark their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the British throne.

Clint Watson, Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister claims it has not yet been determined how much the trip will cost Bahamian taxpayers.

Watson said he sought to find out how much the royal visit will cost, but could not get that information.

“They’re still waiting on a number of figures to come in so they don’t have that figure for us,” he said.

How do you not know? The Royal Family is not haphazard in their approach when traveling for royal duties. Royal trips are planned months or up to one year in advance.  An itinerary is planned based on the personal interest of the royal family and matters the host country would like to publicize.

A team from the royal family travels to the destination to organize the mechanisms of the trip—from travel time, dress code, camera angles, and the best place for the royal procession to arrive.

The Royal Protection Services Officers also visit the host country to plan security details and to coordinate with local police.

A tour document is created, showing the venue plan, the cultural requirements, where everyone will sit, stand, enter and exit along with the list of people the royals will meet.

CSJ Report understands that the Bahamas government has purchased 40 new cars for the royal family and rented out five floors of the Atlantis Resort for the couple and their aids—one floor for residency and four empty floors below it for security purposes.

The Bahamas will pay for accommodations, meals, and the couple’s staff.

Jamaica claims it will only pay for security personnel and nothing else when the couple arrives there before traveling to the Bahamas.

Kensington Palace said Kate 40, and William 39, are “very much looking forward to the visit.”

Their first stop is Belize, where they will visit the Maya archaeological sites and celebrate the culture of the Garifuna community.

In Jamaica, the royals will meet with members of the Jamaican military; and celebrate the heritage of Bob Marley and other Jamaican musicians.

Their last stop is the Bahamas where they will travel to Parliament Square in New Providence, where they will be entertained with Junkanoo, then travel to the islands affected by Hurricane Dorian–Abaco and Grand Bahama.

“As with previous overseas visits, The Duke and Duchess have asked that this tour allows them to meet as many local people as possible,” the palace said, which include children, youths, COVID-19 frontline workers, philanthropic leaders, conservationists and childcare workers.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Eight members of the Cabinet were sworn in on Monday afternoon to serve as ministers in the Davis-led administration.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said they will “deliver the party’s promise of a new day.”

1. Fred Mitchell–Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is an outspoken member of the PLP and was party chairman. He served in the Perry Christie administration in the same position in 2012. When the PLP lost in 2017, he lost his seat but was appointed PLP senator.
2. Glennys Hanna-Martin–Minister of Education and Vocational Training. She has been a longtime member of the PLP, having served in the Christie administration in 2012 as Minister of Transport and Aviation. The party lost in 2017, but she retained her seat and was one of four PLPs who returned to the Parliament as the opposition.
3. Michael Darville–Minister of Health. He was the MP for Pineridge and Minister of Grand Bahama in 2012 in the Christie administration. When his party lost, he became a PLP senator.
4. Michael Halkitis–Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate. He lost to the FNM in the 2021 election. He served in the Christie administration as the Minister of State for Finance in 2012.
5. Clay Sweeting–Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs. He ran against FNM MP Ricky Martin in 2017 and lost. The fisherman was then appointed a PLP senator in the Upper Chamber.
6. Alfred Sears–Minister of Works and Utilities. He was the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte from 2000 to 2012 and served in the Christie administration. He lost his seat to the FNM in 2017. He once served as Minister of Education and as Attorney General in the Christie administration.
7. Wayne Munroe–Minister of National Security. He is a prominent lawyer. He ran in 2017 for the PLP but lost to the FNM. He was also a former DNA member.
8. Jomo Campbell–Minister of State for Legal Affairs. He is new to politics and is believed to be a lawyer in Wayne Munroe’s office.

Davis said his Cabinet “will move with urgency, that this moment requires.”

Governor-General C.A Smith asked that the country “set aside differences until next five years.” He added, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Let’s unite and together make a better Bahamas.”

Governor-General C.A Smith expressed his condolences on the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who died early Friday morning at the age of 99-years-old.

“I have conveyed the condolences of the government and people of The Bahamas to Buckingham Palace. Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty and the Royal Family at this time.”

Why it matters

Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, has recently undergone a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition and was discharged last month from the King Edward VII Hospital where he was admitted in February.

The big picture

In his older age, Prince Philip suffered a number of health complications.

His recent bout came amid a royal turmoil by a tell-all interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in an Oprah Winfrey dialogue.

The royal couple disclosed the difficulties of royal life while suggesting racism in the traditional royal family.

Driving the news

Prince Philip will not receive a state funeral but will lie at Windsor Castle until the funeral at St George’s Chapel.

The public has been asked not to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A funeral date has not yet been released.