By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FORT CHARLOTTE MP Dr Andre Rollins yesterday warned Progressive Liberal Party “loyalists” that they are setting a “dangerous” precedent by criticising members of the party who express differing views from the party line.
In fact, Dr Rollins said such action could cause the public to believe, whether true or false, that the interest of the party exceeds the interest of the nation.
Dr Rollins also defended Marco City MP Greg Moss, who was recently criticised by PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts for saying he thought Value Added Tax (VAT) “goes against the principles of the party”.
When asked to comment on Monday, Mr Roberts told The Tribune that the Marco City MP spoke out of turn and appeared to be on a course by himself.
Yesterday Dr Rollins said just because someone might have a different point of view does not mean they wish to harm or undermine the party.
“Since Marco City’s statements have been so critical of the government’s VAT only model, some argue that his approach is not politically correct,” Dr Rollins said during his contribution to the 2014/2015 budget debate.
“However, it cannot be denied that many in the public are grateful for concerns are being aired in this place where they most expect their views to be given a voice. I hasten to add, Mr Speaker, that to raise differing points of view does not mean that you wish to harm or undermine your political party as some party loyalists may assert, it doesn’t mean that you are trying to jump ship or that you are making plans to cross the political floor, and no, Mr Speaker, it does not mean that you are not a team player.
“Such thinking is dangerous, as it can be construed to imply that we must prioritise the interests of the party above the interests of our nation. By extension, this would cause the public to conclude, whether true or false, that our primary motive is not to put The Bahamas or Bahamians first as was our pledge on the campaign trail.
“My response to such thinking is this: strategies to promote the success of the party should never be at the expense of developing a stronger nation. In fact, if done correctly, the two do not have to be mutually exclusive – achieving one does not have to mean sacrificing the other.”
During his budget contribution in the House of Assembly last week, Mr Moss said VAT will hurt rather than help the poor.
Mr Moss said the founding principle of the PLP is to protect the poor and vulnerable in the country and the implementation of VAT will “drive people further into poverty.”
Dr Rollins said does not agree with Mr Moss’ assertion that VAT’s implementation will be “disastrous” but does think it should be one of many measures to bring about fiscal reform.
He said: “While I do not share the view held by my colleague from Marco City that the implementation of VAT will be disastrous for our country, I do, however, agree with his argument that VAT should be one of several combined tax initiatives used in concert to address our fiscal deficit.
“A combination of consumer, income and corporate taxes which enable us to maintain our reputation as a low tax jurisdiction for the foreign businesses and high net worth individuals we wish to attract to our country and which does not impose a disproportionate economic burden on the low net worth individuals or poor among us.
“In the process we would broaden our nation’s tax base as required to be compliant with international financial best practices; fight poverty by addressing the growth in income inequality; and prepare ourselves to function in a post-trade tax environment, where we no longer rely on import tariffs for tax revenue. It is, therefore, reasonable to advocate that any attempt at tax reform focus on designing a multi-faceted system that promotes both growth and equity,” Dr Rollins said.
Comments
B_I_D___ 10 years, 6 months ago
They don't want Freedom of Information and they DEFINITELY don't want freedom of speech, you either tow the party line or move on...dissenting voices are not welcome. How DARE you contradict the Motley crew who are driving this train wreck of a disaster of country leadership. Get back in line and shut yer mouth!!
B_I_D___ 10 years, 6 months ago
Yup!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years, 6 months ago
Roberts and Gray, like Christie, Miller, et al, have spouted so much hogwash over the years that they now truly believe most of the utter nonsense that comes from their parted lips. When politicians like these four individuals constantly exhibit such warped (handicapped?) mindsets, they are usually years beyond the time they should have been put out to pasture....which does not speak well at all for those who have supported them in recent years, fortunately now rapidly diminishing in number. I listened to the presentations in the House of Assembly of Greg Moss and Dr. Andre Rollins that have caused such a stir within the PLP......it was a most refreshing change to see young politicians capable and willing to speak their mind in the interest of their constituents and the Bahamian people. True to Christie's insecurities as a failed leader, he has now set the likes of Roberts and Gray on Mr. Moss and Dr. Rollins as if to teach them a lesson when in fact it is Christie, Roberts, Gray and Miller (four old flea ridden pot cakes living in the wrong political era of our country) who should be taking a lesson from Mr. Moss and Dr. Rollins.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 6 months ago
One term wonder............................. toothless dragon ..............SMDH
SP 10 years, 6 months ago
MP Dr. Andre Rollins is 100% right.
Least we forget, too many yes men was the cause of Hubert Ingraham's FNM downfall and the main reason the country is broke today.
If Hubert's jelly belly Cabinet had stood together against him after he obviously took leave of his sense's, we wouldn't have foreigners owning BTC and certainly would not have given a $400M road & infrastructure improvement project to a foreign entity.
Every FNM MP and Hubert Ingraham's whole Cabinet new the "Little Emperor" wasn't wearing any cloths, but non of them had enough integrity to stand up and say so!
I hope and PRAY that the few MP's in the PLP with enough guts to go against the grain and stand up for what what they feel is best for their constituents and country CONTINUE TO DO SO!
Too much brown nosing, ass-kissing and tongue biting has caused our country dearly over the decades.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 6 months ago
Soooooooooooo, are the 4 horsemen making any difference despite their protestations against the PLP establishment/oligarchy/hegemony?????
SP 10 years, 6 months ago
The "4 horsemen" are making a tremendous difference because they are actually policing the norm of the PLP establishment and keeping them aware that the usual gross political stupidity will be questioned and challenged.
Imagine what a resort destination and better financial situation we would have had if more men like the "4 horseman" were inside agitating the government 25 years ago to LISTEN TO innumerable warnings that we would lose our edge on tourism if something wasn't done to save the night club industry and improve the tourism product!
Face it. Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie have led our country deep into the ditch. More illiteracy, poverty, less jobs, no diversification, on the verge of a failed state and nowhere to turn. When all they had to do was LISTEN to those at a hands on level in tourism, education and finance.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 6 months ago
I agree .............. so what are they going to change about this lousy Budget? and policies that will lead us down the ditch??????????? ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE?????????????
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