‘No’ vote would be disaster for OBA

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

I can see you’re out of aces

For a taste of your whiskey

I’ll give you some advice
— ‘The Gambler’, Kenny Rogers

The OBA election campaign included the promise of a referendum, yet post-election there no mention of a referendum in either the Throne Speech or the Budget Statement.  

 “In our platform we said that we believe the way forward would be a referendum. It’s always politically safe to say we’ll go to referendum and let the people decide. But is that really in the best interests of the country?” — Premier Cannonier Royal Gazette, February 14, 2013

So was he then saying ‘no referendum’?

Then Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell states “this Government will lay the gaming referendum bill this session and we expect to hold a referendum at the end of summer or beginning of fall.  I will add that it is imperative for our Tourism revival that the referendum is supported.” — Royal Gazette May 31, 2013.

Well, it is nearly the end of summer and there has been no referendum. Before this can happen, the OBA will have to first pass a law to allow for a gaming referendum to occur. 

Under the current Referendum Act 2012, government is required to give the public 90 days notice.  So again, when will the referendum be held?

The OBA made a major issue about university students not being able to vote in December’s election. Yet they have guaranteed the university students won’t be voting in any referendum. Any guesses as to why?

Political gambles

Some see referendums as a politically safe method that allows for our representatives to avoid having to take a position. 

No one can blame politicians if they are simply carrying out the directive of the people.   

There is much riding on a “Yes” vote. So a “No” vote will prove to be a political disaster for the OBA. 

The OBA might make this an “advisory referendum” which is non-binding.  It would allow the OBA to keep their election promise, but still give them the flexibility to ignore the outcome if the result is a “No” vote.  

The success of a referendum is dependent on three key elements:-

• Education: It is vital that the voter be given a fair and balanced presentation of both the pros and  the cons of gaming. Often a referendum becomes an exercise in winning votes. So chasing votes becomes more important then educating citizens. The question now becomes — how thorough will the education of the electorate be?

• The referendum question: Having the issue of gaming decided by a yes/no vote limits the voice of the voter. This is a complex issue and the decision to legalize gaming is directly linked to the finer details. 

This includes such factors of; who should be allowed to gamble ie tourists only or tourist and locals? What type of gaming ie slot machines and/or casinos tables, and who will be allowed to have gaming ie all establishments or a select few. 

• The turnout: The law requires that the voter turnout must be at least 50 per cent in order for a ‘yes’ vote to be valid.  

In the next column we will examine why certain individuals tried to crush the referendum. And what it really is that they have to gain from it all. 

You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.

There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done

— Kenny Rogers

E-mail: [email protected]