The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrole@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins and attorney Michael Scott rowed on Facebook yesterday over the attorney’s argument that FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis is failing to get the support of wealthy white Bahamians because they perceive him to be ill-equipped to function as a prime minister.

Dr Minnis declined to comment on Mr Scott’s statement when contacted by this newspaper. When asked to respond yesterday, he said: “I don’t want to go down that road.”

Mr Scott made his comments during an appearance on a 96.9 FM radio show on Tuesday. His stinging words come at a time of upheaval for the opposition party.

To defend Dr Minnis, former FNM Chairman Darron Cash wrote a lengthy response to Mr Scott’s statements on his Facebook page yesterday, arguing that it’s best for the Killarney MP to win the support of those who are poor than those who are wealthy.

Mr Cash received support for his statement from the outspoken Dr Rollins, who commented on the post.

“…If Michael Scott were politically astute, he would cease and desist from making such offensive statements that portray the FNM as being a ‘minority interest’ political organisation,” Dr Rollins wrote. “He is clearly ignorant of the wave of populist euphoria wreaking havoc on the political establishment of both major parties in the US, where ordinary Americans are rebelling against those favoured by the moneyed interests. As tough as things are in the Bahamas, how can you argue in favour of pandering to the rich when so many Bahamians are struggling to survive economically?”

In response, Mr Scott wrote: “Andre, I do not need lessons on being politically astute from you of all people.”

He explained that in making critical comments about Dr Minnis, he was saying “while white Bahamians have hugely supported Kendal Isaacs, Cecil Wallace-Whitefield and Hubert Ingraham in the past, they view Minnis as a poor potential leader. It’s as simple as that.”

Another Facebook user then responded: “Stop the bickering for God’s sake, stop.”

The back and forth exchange highlights the disagreements plaguing the FNM as it continues to prepare for the next general election and the inability of the party to stop airing its laundry in public.

For his part, Mr Cash said that though he is respectful of Mr Scott, the suggestion that Dr Minnis should be concerned about pleasing potential wealthy donors is misplaced.

“…Minnis should be more concerned with whether he has the support of the man through Lilly of The Valley Corner than he is with whether he has the support from the man on Lyford Cay Drive,” Mr Cash wrote.

He also said that no group in the country exits as a monolith, voting or choosing to act in groups as opposed to exercising their independence to choose their own path.

“As a past national treasurer and national chairman, I know many of the key ‘white Bahamians’ who have supported the FNM financially,” he said. “They love their country and want what is best for it. It is a disservice to suggest in any way that they are busy flaunting their money in the face of the FNM and telling the party who can or cannot be our leader. Those days are over if they ever existed.”

Mr Scott has served as a legal advisor to the FNM and is a former election candidate.