The Tribune

By Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya

This week has been one of defections, reflections and deflections. Members of Parliament switched teams, two leaders went head to head in the proverbial “political game of chess,” and somehow another “party” cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It Takes Two

Dr Andre Rollins (MP-Ft Charlotte) and Mr Renward Wells (MP-Bamboo Town) finally stood in the House of Assembly this week and did what many expected them to do months ago – they crossed the floor and joined the ranks of the opposition Free National Movement.

Judging by public reaction, not too many people were surprised at the turn of events. Personally, my friends and I were making bets (remember, gambling is legal now) on how long Dr Rollins would last in the PLP or as an Independent after his first verbal “bust up” with the Progressive Liberal Party.

On Wednesday past, Dr Rollins did the inevitable. And earned me $20 in the process.

I have my suspicions that Renward Wells, who before now had earned himself quite a reputation of doing things “when he feel like it” was the one who truly spurred the move. Once he decided it was time to go, he and his long-time “partner in politics” made their speeches, grabbed their “georgie bundles” and took their new seats with the FNM.

There is a lot of talk about their switch, with people debating whether the moves were bold and patriotic or whether they should be branded as “turncoats”. At the bottom of it all, however, the fact of the matter is that the two MPs had choices to make and their decision ultimately led them to the FNM.

It would be easy to write them off as political ingrates (believe me, I have before) but then some others would have to wear that label too.

After all, some of our most revered politicians have stood apart from the party that helped win them the seats they occupied, including former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and current Prime Minister Perry Christie. And considering that both men went on to serve in our highest elected office in this country, I will resist writing off such moves so easily.

In the last term, even Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney pulled a “bush crack” and was gone. Off Mr McCartney went to form his new team, leaving in the dust the FNM voters in Bamboo Town (yes, Bamboo Town again) who had pushed him to political prominence.

So it has been done before with good intentions, I’m sure. Having seen it happen a few times now, crossing the floor almost feels like “nothing new” these days even though some PLPs are probably wishing they could take back their votes.

More significant to me is the fact that both Wells and Rollins had been the faces of the “new generation” of PLPs. They represented the foundation of the so-called “bridge to the future” Prime Minister Christie promised to build. They were lauded as bright, fresh, intelligent and talented young men with much to contribute to the national conversation and the future direction of this country.

But that’s the funny thing about talent, when it’s not utilised, it inevitably disappears.

No doubt both Mr Wells and Dr Rollins probably started to feel they were not being used to their full potential in their former party. More and more Rollins’ frustration with leadership became abundantly clear. Every time he clashed with the PLP in the House, I was waiting to hear him scream “Nobody puts Baby in the corner!”

And after being left in the wilderness in the LOI scandal Wells most likely felt beat up and in bad shape too. There had been talk for months that Wells would not even receive a nomination in Bamboo Town, and that was a foregone conclusion for Rollins in Fort Charlotte.

With all their missteps notwithstanding, they probably still felt they had something meaningful to contribute to the country.

So what did these “young, talented, educated” young men do?

They ripped up their contracts and went to play for another team. The team, in their estimation no doubt, that probably gives them the best chance to win again. In other words, they “pulled a LeBron.”

Welcome to 2015.

It’s a time when young people talk with their fingers, walk around “plugged in” and take no prisoners. Basically, the new generation doesn’t have time to wait on anything – especially a bridge that will never be built.

No Country for Young Men

Pulling Wells and Rollins away from the PLP and into the FNM’s corner was a major checkmate move for Dr Minnis.

Not only did he manage to make a manoeuvre I’m sure he feels will solidify his position in the FNM for the time being, but he also outplayed the current Prime Minister in the political game of optics. Speaking of optics, the speech Prime Minister Christie made after the defections sure made the party look bitter towards young people. In seeking to dress down Andre Rollins for his “naked Emperor” remarks, Prime Minister Christie talked about how “Emperor in the PLP doesn’t need the little boy to tell him he has no clothes”.

Well, once you accept the moniker of “Emperor” you pretty much concede to being naked. That’s the way the story goes. In truth, Hans Christen Anderson’s “Emperor” was blind to his exposure as well. And ultimately the “little boy” was not there to tell the Emperor anything, but rather to free the townspeople from having to keep up the ruse.

But the Prime Minister’s contempt for young Rollins was very evident. Just as PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts’ contempt for Sarkis Izmirlian was also abundantly clear when he labelled the young investor as “stupid” earlier this week.

There seems to be a nasty trend developing within the party to disregard, disengage and disrespect young naysayers. And it’s one that may ultimately prove disastrous for the PLP.

Please Don’t Stop the Music

So the government of The Bahamas invested hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in a failed music festival.

I have to say, I’m shocked this madness is still happening.

Usually, the government throws a big party and then come back and say they lost a lot of money. This time, they sped up the process, they said they lost a lot of money and didn’t even bother with the party.

The planned Caribbean Muzik Festival the Ministry of Tourism invested 650K of our hard-earned dollars on was supposed to “‘fill the calendar” and showcase much-needed entertainment that would be attractive to locals and tourists alike. Instead, we got two low-key events, disappointment last Friday and Saturday, and excuses as to why the event did not come off.

When I heard that the blame for the postponement was being placed on a Florida company contracted for sound and lights I was amazed.

First of all, was there no Bahamian company that could have been given the chance to provide sound and lights?

Second of all, what’s the name of the mysterious company? Because on the behalf of the Bahamian taxpayer, I would love to fly to Florida and get “our tings” back.

Who decided to use a company in Florida to provide something I am sure a Bahamian company could have handled? They might as well have sent our money to Timbuktu because that’s how far away the 650K feels right now.

Next time, the organizers might want to believe in Bahamians.

When it comes to sound and lights for parties, we know how to get the job done.