The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORMER PLP Cabinet Minister George Smith yesterday shot down Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells’ resignation threat saying that he did not have the political clout to “stand on a bully pulpit and talk tough”.

According to Mr Smith, the former parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works only managed to capture 39 per cent of the popular vote during the 2012 general election which did not signify strong support in his constituency.

“Mr Wells has said he will resign if Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins is expelled from the party. I advise him to let the process (which is) now in the hands of the committee to run its just course. Just let it unfold.

“He has got to recognise that he ran in a seat which he won by only 39 per cent of the popular vote,” Mr Smith added. “There were three of them vying for the seat. His 39 per cent left 61 per cent between the other candidates.

“That doesn’t give you the bully pulpit to talk tough. He should calm down and take advice from whomever it is that he trusts.”

Mr Smith was contacted for comment by The Tribune a day after it was reported that Mr Wells said he would resign if the Progressive Liberal Party expels Dr Rollins from the party. 

Mr Rollins went before a PLP disciplinary committee on Monday evening for a hearing into numerous critical statements he has made about the party and Prime Minister Perry Christie in the House of Assembly.

When asked for comment yesterday, party Chairman Bradley Roberts said he would not go into details about the hearing.

However, he told The Tribune that when the disciplinary committee has made its recommendation to the PLP’s National General Council a decision would be made on whether their findings will be shared with the public.

Mr Smith explained that the disciplinary committee could only make a recommendation on what should happen to Dr Rollins for his conduct. A decision to expel someone he said, could only come from a PLP convention, Mr Smith said.

He went on to encourage Mr Wells to speak extensively to the Bahamian people about the letter of intent that he signed in July. The LOI was signed with Stellar Waste Management to construct a $650m plant at the New Providence landfill.

Mr Wells reportedly signed it without authorisation from Cabinet.

The prime minister fired Mr Wells last week, after letting the controversy over the document linger for several months.

However, neither Mr Christie nor Mr Wells has explained the circumstances surrounding the LOI.

“He must address the people,” Mr Smith said. “There are valid concerns lingering out there about the LOI that he signed  and he has to say why he signed it. Mr Wells has to set the record straight for the public because he is a servant of the people.”