NASSAU, Bahamas — Dame Marguerite Pindling caused a stir yesterday when she demanded an apology from Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell as she publicly accused him and the PLP for using a Majority Rule Day event at her husband’s grave as “a stepping stone”, The Tribune reported on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 in an article written by Earyel Bowleg.
She gave the blistering rebuke at a graveside service as part of the government’s holiday celebrations, but did not go into details about what she was displeased about.
However, her remarks suggest the former Governor General was not formally invited to the event.
Mr Mitchell later told The Tribune he has no idea why she was upset, but he said she is entitled to her views.
As she stood at the podium, Dame Marguerite said before the event got underway, she wanted to “set the record straight” and reminded people about the contributions she made to the PLP and her husband’s political career.
“There was a man called Lynden Pindling – who didn’t know a thing about South Andros until I had to go and tell the people he was coming to run against Cyril Stevenson, because if we hadn’t put Pindling there, Stevenson would have won,” she said.
“Pray for me please, because I’m feeling very, very something today — I don’t like what I see because nothing happened until Pindling came on the scene. I support — I thank you for coming out today but the leadership were so excited they forgot I existed, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m alive, doing well, of sound mind and in good health and waiting for all that is going to take place because I do not like it. I’m sorry, Mr Mitchell. I’m sorry I cannot contain it any longer because you’re using this as a stepping stone and I do not appreciate it.”
Her remarks stunned the audience, some of whom exclaimed as she spoke.
One person said: “We still love Pindling and he is a great man.”
Dame Marguerite responded: “I should hope so because we’re standing on his shoulders and the other men who fight with him in the trenches. When the House of Assembly was dissolved in 1966, Pindling was in London fighting the PLP’s battle. When nomination day came, Pindling wasn’t even in the country to be nominated. I had documents prepared in case the magistrate decided not to accept his name in his absence and I was ready with Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, who was the then chairman of this party, who took me down to South Andros but thanks be to God the magistrate said they would accept him in his absence.
“I come here today in respect out of the work that my husband has done along with his other fellow workers in this country and I don’t want anyone to use this to play him cheap because I will not stand for it. I’m sorry, Mr Prime Minister, I promised you I was going to behave, but I think all of you should know who I am by now. And you owe me an apology and I expect Mr Chairman right now.”
At that point, she walked off stage.
Mr Mitchell then returned to the podium in response to her, assuring her of their support. See complete article in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/11/dame-marguerite-pindling-demands-apology-plp-chair/
