Two by-elections lost, facing defeat in a third, Majority Rule’s near collapse in 1968

“I ought to allow for rigor mortis to have set in….” These were the scathing remarks intended to scold Opposition United Bahamian Party leader, Sir Roland Symonette, by Alvin R. Braynen, Speaker of the House, in February 1968.

In light of the untimely death of Uriah McPhee MHA Shirlea constituency, Sir Roland had written to the Speaker, on 20th February 1968, to ask when a by-election would be called. Sir Roland, intending to drive his point across, enclosed a copy of a local newspaper confirming McPhee’s date of death being a whole three days gone from 17th February 1968.

Symonette was hopeful. This would be the Bahamas’s third by-election, in just over a year.

Alvin Braynen reprovingly replied to Sir Roland, saying in essence that, calling a by-election could wait for a respectable period of time, or at least, until the deceased’s body was stiff.

“I honestly feel that as Speaker, I ought to allow for rigor mortis to have set in, homage be paid to his memory, and at least interred in peace, before causing his seat to be officially disposed of.”

Alvin R. Braynen, Speaker of the House of Assembly to Sir Roland Symonette in response to his letter requesting a date for a by-election after the death of Uriah McPhee MHA Shirlea constituency,
20th February 1968

A futile attempt to shame Roland Symonette for asking, however tactless, the obvious

If truth be told, Sir Roland, a seasoned politician, had good reason to be hopeful. The potential collapse of the first Majority Rule government was only one, fragile, by-election away.

Whether the PLP realised it or not, they were now top players, in a game of high stakes politics. And, in this game, just like poker, if another player calls, you either answer or fold.

So when the UBP called for the PLP to show their hand, the PLP, still undecided how to play what fate had dealt to them. Instead, tried to shame Roland Symonette for asking the obvious— what was the date of the next, third, by-election?

February 1968 – A pensive House of Assembly

Alvin Braynen was understandably anxious. His position as Speaker of the House was suddenly in real jeopardy.

In 1967, with an even spread of won seats, Braynen cast his lot with Pindling and the PLP, choosing neutrality as Speaker, which, along with Labour Party Randol Fawkes also siding with the PLP, helped paved the way for Majority Rule.

If by some twist of fate the UBP were to regain political power, Braynen, a white man, knew very well ostracism, and a desert like financial banishment, would be his punishment.

Two by-elections months after Majority Rule

Sir Roland and the UBP were understandably emboldened. Fate had delivered a promising third by-election.

Less than 14 months on from January 1967, despite garnering the popular vote, they conceded a narrow electoral defeat.

Only a year later, fate seemed to be shining its fickle light on them once again. After all, the UBP had won the previous two by-elections in 1967.

Winning these seats did not move the majority needle, as they were originally UBP seats. However, a third by-election win, certainly would have.

Disturbingly for Pindling, he, and everyone else could see that United Bahamian Party, smelt the proverbial blood in the water and were circling. It was quite clear the first Majority Rule government was being set on a course of collapse after their defeat in two crucial by-elections.

Pindling issued a call to arms but with cool heads

No THIRD by-election, another General Election 1968

Pindling and his cabinet chose a general election instead of a third by-election. This was the best and only move. Pindling knew that despite all of the eulogising for Uriah McPhee, MHA Shirlea constituency, the PLP was at a real risk of losing a third by-election.

Despite winning an overwhelming majority, as fate would have it, the PLP did lose that one Shirlea seat in the April 10, 1968 general elections. They lost the seat to none other than UBP leader, Sir Roland Symonette!