They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. If that definition holds, then the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government has not merely flirted with insanity — it has made itself quite comfortable there.

Upon taking office, one of the PLP’s first major acts was not progress, but pause. Not delivery, but delay. The government halted, reviewed, and ultimately cancelled the ongoing redevelopment works at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), going so far as to return borrowed funds already earmarked for the project. Years later, Bahamians are left navigating a healthcare system stretched to its limits, while the promised “better deal” remains more slogan than solution.

History, it seems, was not meant to be learned from — only repeated.

Fast forward to Grand Bahama, where the same script was dusted off and reused. The PLP stopped, reviewed, and cancelled the Free National Movement’s deal for the Grand Lucayan Hotel, declaring it “not in the best interest” of the island or the country. The people were told to be patient. They were assured something better was coming.

Nearly five years later, Grand Bahama is still waiting.

As Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, Kwasi Thompson, recently noted, had the PLP not cancelled the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort to Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and the ITM Group, the island would have already been reaping the benefits. Jobs. Economic activity. Confidence. Instead, the property sits idle, workers endure uncertainty and delayed pay, and an island once promised revival remains trapped in limbo.

Rather than amend the deal, the PLP chose to walk away entirely — abandoning partners widely regarded as credible, committed, and capable. Since then, RCI has gone on to successfully complete major developments elsewhere in The Bahamas, while ITM has moved forward with new cruise port projects in Mexico alongside Hutchison Ports and Carnival Cruise Line. In other words, the problem was not the partners — it was the paralysis.

The PLP now points to a new agreement signed with Concord Wilshire Capital, but movement has been minimal, transparency scarce, and results nonexistent. Meanwhile, tourism in Grand Bahama suffers, the local economy stagnates, and hope continues to be deferred.

And yet, in a move that has become all too familiar, Bahamians are told once again that these projects — PMH, the Grand Lucayan, and others — can only be completed if the PLP is re-elected.

Apparently, governance now comes with a condition clause.

The New Day government still owes the Bahamian people a clear explanation as to how cancelling the original Grand Lucayan deal was in Grand Bahama’s best interest, especially when one of the very groups involved has since proven its capacity to deliver — just not for Grand Bahama.

At some point, promises must give way to performance. At some point, “review” must lead to results. And at some point, Bahamians must ask themselves whether it truly makes sense to re-elect a government that keeps pressing the reset button, only to demand more time to finish what it chose to undo.

To do otherwise would not just be hopeful, it would be insane.

The Progressive Liberal party (PLP fails for one reason; it is their nature and The Bahamas deserves better.

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