US Ambassador Puts Thumb on the Scale
FELIX SANDS WRITES FROM GRAND BAHAMA
Herschel Walker, United States Ambassador was sent to the Bahamas as an Envoy of the Trump Administration. He is not a Viceroy. King Charles III is The Sovereign King of the Bahamas; in his absence, Dame Cynthia Pratt sits as Governor General. We attained Independence in 1973; and, we are a part of the British Commonwealth. Our constitution is our roadmap for governance.
On Wednesday, October 21st, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis gave a landmark speech titled
Grand Bahama, A Frame Work for Stability and Growth using the Grand Bahama Shipyard as a backdrop. The shipyard sits on the western side of Hawksbill Creek at Freeport Harbor.
At the end of November 2026, Grand Bahama Shipyard would have invested $365 million in two new dry docks and other equipment. These are the largest floating docks in the world and is jointly owned by MSC and Carnival Cruise Lines.
The Optics of this 70-minute speech should have telegraph that the shipping industry has no difficulties with the Davis Administration, and, by extension, having confidence in the government of the Bahamas.
Prime Minister Davis is Kings Council of some vintage at the bar. So, he was careful in his speech to say that change must come, but must come lawfully by way of the rule of law; he further stated that standing still and stagnation in the city of Freeport were not options for Grand Bahama. A period of public consultation will take place laying out the plan way forward. The public consultation on the green paper will commence November 1st, 2026 until April 2027.
The Grand Bahama Port Authority gave a considered and measured statement saying they will have to review the full text and then make a public statement: that was the appropriate and considered response.
The Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard, true to form, gave a cloudy response on the one hand; This and then, on the other hand,That and This. He is conflicted because he has two masters to serve: MP for the people of Marco City Grand Bahama, and Special Interest.
Mr. ‘word salad’ is too smart for his own good.
Mr. Herschel Walker, Ambassador to the Bahamas from the US gave a statement that a Viceroy in charge of a district or state would make. Putting his thumb on the scale even before consultations began by the people who would be impacted. His public intervention in our domestic affairs was insulting and out of order for an ambassador.
Bimini, Grand Bahama, and Abaco are all islands in close proximity East of thr South Florida coast. We are allies, we are family, and we are friends, nevertheless, we are an independent Bahamas.
What could be the reason for this outlandish outburst? Weighing in even before the Grand Bahama Port Authority responded. Could it be he was a lobbying for something else? Like Bahama Rock, digging an 80 ft. hole on the old Bahamas Cement site at the back of Hepburn Town, Eight Mile Rock?
Excellency Herschel Walker, dredging at the Hepburn Town site would put the lives of the indigenous families of the area at risk. During the passage of a hurricane, families like the Hepburns, Bartletts, Russell’s Martin’s and Jones’ and Wildgoose’s are just some of the families whose lives could be put at risk. We know first hand the damage flood waters can do to communities.
On the Pinders Point side of the Freeport
Harbour, we have families like the Pinders, Lewis’, Laings, Grants and Russell’s. All would be impacted by severe weather conditions; all because a company wants to export aggregate to United States for construction.
Your Excellency Walker, the government of the Bahamas exists for peace, order, governance, and protection of its people. These Isles called the Bahamas are not for profit. We truly believe people are more important than profit. Please allow us the right of self-determination in our domestic affairs.
Long Live King Charles III, King of the Bahamas.