Prime Minister Perry Christie
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie downplayed Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins’ recent scathing criticism of him yesterday, pledging that he will not be distracted by the political aspirations or position of the younger parliamentarian.
Mr Christie broke his silence on the matter when he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a press conference called to announce his government’s official control of majority economic interest in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).
“I wasn’t here when Andre spoke,” Mr Christie said more than a week after Dr Rollins called for new political leadership in the country.
“I chose not to speak; I wanted to be dispassionate in my approach to him. I did not want to make myself angry as a result of what I read.
“I heard he made some reference to me speaking the Bible. But Andre Rollins is a young Bahamian. I was once that in public life. I was a young Bahamian who, so to speak, lost a nomination as a result of my political position and so I understand there should be flexibility on the part of leadership and understanding on the part of leadership, and I’m democratically elected as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party and I know that logically young men of courage and conviction, they know how democracy works, that if they feel there should be a change of leadership, either they inspire persons to run against the current leader or they run themselves.
“So I anticipate that in the fullness of democracy in the PLP, there will be activity and discussions and so forth, but listen, it is what it is and the country has to move forward and I’m not going to be distracted by the aspirations or political position of a Member of Parliament who has a fierce independent spirt. I was once that myself.”
Dr Rollins was fired by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis as Gaming Board chairman last Friday because of his criticism of Mr Christie, which Mr Davis said constituted “crossing the line”.
While Dr Rollins said earlier this week that he has no plans of leaving the PLP, he dismissed his firing as political posturing, while repeating his call for new political leadership in the country.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years, 3 months ago
...just look at that arse!
The_Oracle 10 years, 3 months ago
I do not blame you Mr. Christie, it is your backside on fire, not his! Much more pressing fiascos surrounding you!
GQ 10 years, 3 months ago
Please tell me Mr. Prime Minister, how did the Bahamian people acquire majority interest in BTC? Honestly I believe you as I daily see how this corporation is in self destruct mode just like how you and Ingraham have run all of our entities into the ground. Ingraham has gone and I hope not to see his ugly head surface in Bahamian politics, please do the country a favor and you follow him very quickly.
MaLambee 10 years, 3 months ago
GQ, perhaps you may take your suggestion further and name the candidate to succeed PC. Am so interested. Don't take this personally because, I too share your view.. but who? certainly not that butcher who calls himself a doctor in the opposition..WHO?, Please
SP 10 years, 3 months ago
Appoint Bugs Bunny as candidate to succeed for Christ Sake! Minnis is just another big nose clown.
Anyone in the country with half a brain could do a better job than Christie and Ingraham.
We now understand why Mr. Pindling refused Ingraham and Christie as leaders of the country......Look what they have done!
Tarzan 10 years, 3 months ago
And Mr. Pindling was a roll model for good governance?????
SP 10 years, 3 months ago
Mr. Pindling had his faults and was rightly ousted from power. However, the level of damage to the country after 15 years of the little naked emperor Hubert Ingraham and sustained by Perry Christie is unimaginable.
No need to argue this point.....The decimation of the middle class, high rate of unemployment and 24,000 and counting Bahamian households living without power is REAL undeniable proof that policies of Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie did more harm to the country than good!
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 3 months ago
I would definitely say that Mr Pindling had greater leadership qualities than either man but arguing who did more harm than the other is like distinguishing between Hitler, Mugabe, Idi Amin and Bin Ladin. The most you can do is order them by the amount of destruction they caused. In my book I would place Pindling as most destructive because he established the foundation for the lazy watless all for me with no effort generation. He had a newborn baby in his hand and he nursed the drug culture and he nursed the gang culture. He nursed the corruption that flows through every government ministry. What we see today is a sheer manisfestation of his handiwork.
The_Oracle 10 years, 3 months ago
Bad reflection in the mirror Bahamas, take a good look at what we were given, and what we have done to it. Nothing to be proud about, much has been sacrificed, for the vanities of fools.
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Comrade doesn't it also reflect poorly on both Dr. Andre and Renard that they are so determined to put to the test their own PM who let it be lost on no one, appointed both these men's? Some may have already concluded the only right thing remaining for both MP's to now do, would be to do the honorableness and resign their House of Assembly seats? Do you not agree?
SP 10 years, 3 months ago
NO! Being positioned inside the Parliament grants access to more information and exposure to whats REALLY HAPPENING with-in the government.
Rollins, Wells, Moss, Smith and others should stand their ground right where they are and AGITATE FOR CHANGE from with-in.
WE THE PEOPLE are kept in the dark by the PLP and FNM.
Having REAL NATIONALIST on the inside is the only hope for our country and people!
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Comrade SP mind telling me what they "exposed" on floor of the House of assembly that you could not you could not have read on the news or blog pages of Tribune? And after they exposed this whatever things you're talking about, did they vote against it? Seems they are challenging the leadership of the PM and nothing else. Am I misstating the facts as we all know them to have transpired on the floor of the House over these past weeks?
Sickened 10 years, 3 months ago
Totally agree with you!
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