Prime Minister Perry Christie and Marco City MP Greg Moss yesterday clashed on the floor of the House of Assembly, with Moss charging that Christie had made a statement directed at him that is a "threat to the democracy".
Moss was referring to Christie's suggestion that there would be "consequences" for those members who go against the party's stance in the debate on the constitutional amendment bills.
During debate in the House of Assembly on the VAT (value-added tax) Bill yesterday, Moss, who voiced opposing views to one of the constitutional bills, said that he was "troubled" by Christie's suggestion but added that he will continue to speak his conscience.
Christie, who responded on a point of order, dismissed the claim that he was threatening Moss or anyone else.
The prime minister said he is a fierce proponent of free speech and would never try to intimidate anyone from speaking their mind.
But Moss insisted that Christie's statement on Monday night was careless and can be misconstrued.
"It is implicitly a threat," Moss said.
Christie spoke of consequences on Monday as he responded to Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins' resignation as party whip.
In a letter to Christie, Rollins said he has "strong reservations" about two of the four constitutional bills before the House.
Christie said he and members of the Constitutional Commission met with Moss and Rollins ahead of the debate to discuss their concerns about the bills.
"That was an important intervention to me so that I know that when they decide to do whatever they will do they and me understand that they appreciate the consequences political of their decision," the prime minister said on Monday.
"Happily for me, both of the parties who attended, Marco City (Moss) and Fort Charlotte (Rollins), are both intelligent men.
"And both of them in terms of their own independent spirit and mind and thinking were clearly aware of the consequences because the member for Fort Charlotte then indicated that he was not comfortable with some of the positions he was taking knowing that he was the party whip."
Despite Christie's insistence yesterday that he was not implying any threats, he repeated, "Whether I like it or not, when you make political choices, there are political consequences. That is as logical as it could ever be."
Moss said he perceived a threat.
"That type of thinking, with the greatest respect, is a threat to our democracy," Moss said.
"And I know it seems commonplace right now with where we are as a country. It seems normal but our democracy has to rise above that, far beyond that where what we do here is not personalized.
"Whether I agree with you or not, I am not a threat to you and you should not try to be a threat to me. We are about the common work of trying to build this House and build this democracy."
But Christie insisted Moss is establishing a "predicate that does not exist".
"Where are the threats, Mr. Speaker?" Christie asked. "And who are they coming from?
"Are you not the person I sat with 10 minutes before the House started, and there were threats? We were fellowshipping as friends. Where are the threats?
"There is no threat to me or my party by any individual member of Parliament."
Moss said he does not have a personal issue with Christie and does not perceive that Christie has a personal issue with him.
" I am not trying to cast aspersions on [Christie] personally," Moss said.
"I'm saying that kind of statement -- let me say a careless statement, let me say a misguided statement, let me say a statement that can be misconstrued, let me try to lower the bar on that -- all I'm saying is that insofar that it is not a promise of a benefit, it is implicitly a threat.
"I'm not saying I'm threatened [by Christie]...He is my leader. He has my support.
"...When we differ we differ as people of respect. And when we differ, we only differ in our views and all I'm saying is no views should cross the floor of this House that suggest that it is going to a personal level. And to my mind, that did take it to that level."
Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said based on his understanding of the matter, Christie's statements did not have a negative connotation.
"To wrap it in negativity would not be the proper interpretation of a consequence," said Davis, who also spoke on a point of order.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell also defended Christie.
He suggested that Moss has misinterpreted the intention behind Christie's comments.
When he started his contribution yesterday, Moss made it clear that he was also responding to two ministers who suggested there were political consequences for members who oppose the constitutional amendment bills.
On Monday, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald suggested that any politician who opposes the bills would be effectively committing political suicide.
Responding to Fitzgerald, Rollins accused him of intellectual dishonesty and suggested that he is not fit to represent the people.

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