We sat surprised as we listened to the MP for Fort Charlotte last night in the House of Assembly. Dr. Andre Rollins is a member of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). He is the chairman of the Gaming Board, appointed by Prime Minister Perry Christie's government. Rollins attacked Christie as if he was the leader of the opposition and Christie was his enemy.
"The political threats uttered by the prime minister and minister of finance this morning left me with one impression, and that is we need new political leadership in The Bahamas," Rollins said during his contribution to the value-added tax debate.
Rollins was referring to Christie's declaration that there are logical political consequences for party members who speak out against their party. Rollins and Marco City MP Greg Moss have been going against PLP positions of late.
Rollins went further last night, going after the prime minister.
"He spent more time, Mr. Speaker, and energy trying to threaten us, to scare us, rather than give hope and comfort to a public that is leery of the impact of VAT, on their lives and that of their families," he said.
The prime minister was not in the House when Rollins spoke.
Rollins even seemed irritated by Christie's voice. The Fort Charlotte MP said he is tired of hearing the prime minister preach scripture in Parliament.
"I know that a lot of people will be angry at me for saying this, but I will say it," he said.
"The prime minister's statement earlier today, and he consistently refers to Psalm 103 where he says, 'Our lives are like grass', etc.
"We have heard it a million times now, and quite frankly I am tired of hearing it. The reason I am tired of hearing it is [because] when I want to hear scripture read repeatedly, I go to church."
It was obvious that PLP MPs were not pleased as Rollins spoke. The young man is articulate and his attacks on Christie were delivered well and with passion.
Rollins' words were so direct that Philip Brave Davis, the deputy prime minister and deputy leader of the PLP, rose to tell him he "crossed the line". Davis said he intends to meet with Rollins this morning and expects his resignation at that time as a result of him questioning Christie's leadership. Davis is acting as prime minister and PLP leader, as Christie is out of the country.
Davis is calling for Rollins' resignation as Gaming Board chair.
Davis and the PLP, however, are not going far enough. The PLP should expel Rollins. It is fine for backbenchers to debate with their parties over policy. It is fine for them to do so rigorously. Parliamentary democracy is enhanced when this occurs.
When you say your leader should not be prime minister anymore, however, you can no longer be part of that political organization. Rollins should be made to sit as an independent or as a member of another political party if he so chooses. In either position, he would be free to attack Christie as much as he likes.
If Christie and the PLP allow Rollins to remain in caucus after what he said, they will make a mockery of the Westminster system and encourage other disgruntled PLPs to attack the prime minister.
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