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Rollins ‘to run as independent candidate in Long Island’

Andre Rollins speaks in the House of Assembly.

Andre Rollins speaks in the House of Assembly.

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FORT CHARLOTTE MP Dr Rollins will reportedly be running as an independent candidate for the Long Island constituency in the next general election, The Tribune understands.

According to a high ranking source within the Free National Movement (FNM), Dr Rollins had been trying for several months to get the party’s support to secure the constituency nomination.

Since announcing on Monday that he will not be seeking a FNM constituency nomination in the next general election, The Tribune has been informed that Dr Rollins will now run in the area as an independent candidate.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Rollins said: “People say many things. Unless or until that happens, I would consider it just a rumour.”

Earlier this year, Dr Rollins was seen making the rounds in Long Island with party leader Dr Hubert Minnis. The visit came amid speculation that a certain faction within the FNM was backing Dr Rollins to run as the party’s candidate for Long Island next year.

However, the party’s chairman at the time, Michael Pintard, said there was no truth in the rumour that the party is seeking to hold a meeting in Long Island to support, promote or ratify Dr Rollins.

He said Loretta Butler-Turner, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents, has the support of the party.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday,  former Long Island Constituency Association Member, Bernard Adderley said that Dr Rollins was indeed in Long Island “several times this year, testing the waters” to see if “it made sense” for him to run there.

While he may have gained some support at the time, Mr Adderley said now the people “do not want him”.

“We don’t want him down here,” Mr Adderley said. “He isn’t welcome here, he does not stand a chance. If we’re going to vote for anyone other than Loretta Butler-Turner, it wouldn’t be him, he can’t even handle his business in Nassau. He needs to stay there.”

Last month, residents in Fort Charlotte insisted that Dr Rollins had already “sealed” his fate as the worst MP in the history of the area.

Those constituents took Dr Rollins to task over several failed promises, forcing Dr Rollins to fire back with claims that the Christie administration should carry the brunt of the blame for the reported failures in Fort Charlotte.

Comments

Publius 8 years, 3 months ago

One of the biggest frauds in Parliament today. He shows one two-sided face to the public, and another two-sided face behind closed doors. And he is wanting to try to play with Long Islanders of all people?

Emac 8 years, 3 months ago

Yep! When the masses were singing this man's accolades, I always stated that he was a fraud and even more so an opportunist. He is the worst kind! If he gets his foot in the door, he would do this country more damage than good. So it's best that people are seeing his true side now before election.

licks2 8 years, 3 months ago

He bit doc now he "bittin" the undertaker. . .I suspect we een see the last of him in Bahamian politics!

proudloudandfnm 8 years, 3 months ago

Rollins don't stand a chance in Long Island...

alfalfa 8 years, 3 months ago

Good place for him to run. He will be facing the candidate who already literally "cut his hip" in the House of Assembly, who will be more than ready to deliver another beating on him. Who knows how the Long Island people feel about Loretta anymore? Only time will tell. But Rollins can rest assured that they won't put up with his kind of b/s and will run him like a sheep. Good riddance.

DillyTree 8 years, 3 months ago

He needs his head examined to run in Long Island. They will run him out so fast his head will spin. Just ask the good people of his current district how they feel about him!

CommonSense 8 years, 3 months ago

We can't stand him in Ft. Charlotte!

killemwitdakno 8 years, 3 months ago

At the same time each term when referendums are done, have people vote for the mp they want delegates to approve in their constituency.

Stapedius 8 years, 3 months ago

An opportunist and political parasite. Before joining the PLP or FNM this was a man who bad mouthed them left and right while leader of the NDP. He got a small role as Gaming board chairman in the plp administration and when things didn't go how he expected he jumped ship. Then not even two months in the FNM he opened his big mouth and criticised a party that opened their arms to him. All the while being a media muppet his constituency has numerous concerns yet to be addressed. He really should run away from there because being an independent there he will get a cut a$%. Rollins wants to blame everyone else but hasn't been a very good representative for the people in his community. It's easy to sit back and criticise others but what has he really achieved but to promote himself as a loudmouth, an empty vessel? Election can't come soon enough for us to send many of these people into a political abyss. PLP, FNM and inbetween, we need a purge of this racket.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 3 months ago

I don't get that from him, he's not supporting absolute foolishness just to get an in, that's what an opportunist does, that's what Steve McKinney did a la the "PLP big truck with 20 million driving through the streets handing out free money".

Maybe he's a man who likes excellence. He'd be really frustrated in this town.

He may not be likeable, but its definitely not "easy" to be the only man with courage to stand up against the PLP political machinery, he could have followed the example of the other MPs and cabinet ministers - accept the spoils and whisper behind Perry's back, now that would be easy.

MonkeeDoo 8 years, 3 months ago

PLEASE ROLLINS RELAX AND GET YOUR MEDICAL RESUME READY !

Sickened 8 years, 3 months ago

I didn't like him at first but now I respect him for standing up and saying all the things that I want to say to all of these useless politicians in the house. To me, he's the only one talking sense in the corrupted and dysfunctional HOA.

Emac 8 years, 3 months ago

@Sickened and ThisIsOurs; LOL

Emac 8 years, 3 months ago

As I mentioned before, I trust no man or woman who has ran on the PLP ticket. The PLP did not just become corrupt. They have been that way since THAT time. Sooooooo, as far as I'm concerned, anyone who joins that party is just trying to be a part of the gravy train, plain and simple. ThisisOurs, if he he's a man "who likes excellence and is frustrated in this town", then he would stick to his principals by NOT joining a corrupt party. Sorry, but I don't buy his fake philosophies. I understand that most right thinking Bahamians are looking for that MOSES like person that speaks out for Bahamians, but he ain't THAT. As a matter of fact, the leader that is genuinely sincere and truly loves the Bahamas and its people is not out there yet. At least this person is not a part of any of these political parties.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 3 months ago

I never got the impression that he was Moses (come on now, that could only be Ingraham:) ...I think he "could" just be "one" good man. He's very brash, he needs wise counsel, I don't say there's a guarantee that he will listen or learn. Did he dream of quick riches with the PLP...maybe. I put Greg Moss in the same category, they're both intelligent and they're willing to stand against the tide, those are some good qualities, not sufficient but good. (Greg Moss has some dark associations though)

licks2 8 years, 3 months ago

This MP is an enigma wrapped-up in a riddle. . .open. . .wily. . .honest. . .not a politician. . .unpredictable. . .EGOTISTICAL. . .smart. . .somewhat anti social. . . WILL BE PM SOME DAY! Lol! He played LBT like a drum. . . poked her with a big stick while she was under the big red bus! Now she and him rowing in the public about creditability!

Stapedius 8 years, 3 months ago

You may respect him but it still doesn't resolve the issue of his poor representation. Be as outspoken as you wish but his role first and foremost is his constituency. Ask Bran what happened.

licks2 8 years, 3 months ago

Why not as PM Christie. . .Centerville is text book case of "absentee representative". . . Pinewood was down with Bran. . .until Papa "pushed" him out of the party!

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