The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM Chairman Darron Cash praised Dr Andre Rollins yesterday for being “the first PLP to tell the truth” as it relates to the January 28 referendum, but said he suspects Dr Rollins will be “whipped back” in line by his party very soon.

Mr Cash was responding to comments made by Dr Rollins, gaming board chairman, to the local media on Sunday.

In a statement Dr Rollins said  “this referendum has been an awkward and untidy process” and that even with a “no vote” the demand for games of chance will continue.

The FNM Chairman said Dr Rollins “accidentally told the truth” and stood up to his party leader.

He said: “In essence he said what they all wanted to say but are scared to. They do not want to step out of line. Finally a PLP leader who is telling the truth. Now the question is what will he do about it? We expect that like Mr Roberts, he will be whipped back into line. That is the last bit of truth we are likely to hear from him.”

Mr Cash also defended the FNM’s decision in urging Bahamians to vote No in the referendum.

“How many stories will the Bahamian people read where the Prime Minister says ‘I know nothing?’ The PLP has totally confused and poisoned this process. We need a fresh start so that we can start over and get it right. Given their demonstrated incompetence at this first phase, what should we expect if we give them the authority to write the laws and the regulations without first having an open debate on them? We expect more calamities and confusion and possibly a further rigged process. The Bahamian people deserve better,” he said.

“A no vote on both questions gives us a chance to start over and get things right. Governments are elected to govern. To govern is to choose and Mr. Christie is avoiding the responsibility of making a tough decision. He is choosing to ask the people to lead themselves. Well, why do we need him? Because special interests within the PLP are fighting over what they should do, we get some new proposal from a party leader or government minister every other day. They can’t decide which moneyed interest to listen to. God help us if there is a yes vote, our government might implode.”

With less than a week until the referendum Mr Cash said the PLP has failed to inform the public on what they are voting on and time has run out. He said a no vote is the only way to protect the integrity of the democratic process.