Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins yesterday dismissed his firing as Gaming Board chairman last week as
a "political stunt" and declared that he will remain a member of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
He also suggested that instead of calling for a costly by-election, Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell should focus on reducing crime in the country.
When asked about his dismissal, Rollins suggested that the move was merely a political stunt.
"I think that it was really for public consumption, to say that you are going to fire someone when there are really just eight days left...in that individual's tenure," he said.
"I think it was a useless exercise, one filled with political theatrics that amounted to nothing more that political posturing.
"But, at the end of the day, it's not about the Gaming Board. I didn't get into politics for an office or because I aspire to be leader right away as some people are speculating. I really genuinely want to see us bring about change. And for those who question my motives, that's their right." Rollins hit out at Bell and suggested that the senator was seeking to advance his own political agenda by calling for Rollins to resign from the PLP and as a member of Parliament. Bell called for Rollins' resignation after the Fort Charlotte MP launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Perry Christie in the House of Assembly last week.
Bell's statements on the matter came on the same day Rollins was fired as Gaming Board chairman by then Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip Brave Davis.
"We should never be talking about trivial [things] in the governance of this country, insignificant things, foolish things like calling for a by-election and using millions of scarce tax dollars to do something that advances somebody's personal political agenda and ambition," Rollins told reporters referring to Bell.
"Come on man, be better than that. The country is hurting. They are hurting from the fear of crime and the last thing that should be on our minds is calling for a by-election."
The murder rate jumped to 82 over the weekend after five men were gunned down in separate incidents, including the prime minister's press officer., Latore Mackey, who was killed early yesterday morning.
Rollins came under fire from Bell following his declaration that The Bahamas needs new leadership.
Rollins expressed anger over the fact that Christie used the majority of his VAT communication to "threaten" backbenchers for their dissenting views, instead of providing "hope and comfort" to Bahamians who are concerned about the impact of VAT.
"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 on Wednesday.
But Bell later suggested the Rollins' criticism of Christie was unfair.
"I don't know where Rollins came from," Bell said.
"He should not only resign as Gaming Board chairman, he should also resign his seat for member of Fort Charlotte. He only got the seat because of the PLP.
"I challenge him for that seat. Tell him to resign and let's see him win that seat as an independent.
"If the FNM and DNA want him, they can have him."
Since Rollins' attack on Christie, there have been questions about whether Rollins intends to remain with the PLP. Yesterday, he dismissed suggestions that he was leaving the party.
"I am still a member of Progressive Liberal Party and I will continue to fight for change in the Progressive Liberal Party because I genuinely believe that the country needs reform on any number of levels," he said.
"The reason I've been intentionally avoiding the press is because I believe it is important to try to stay focused on what is most important to the Bahamian people. It's not about Andre Rollins."
Rollins resigned as party whip earlier this month after expressing opposition to two of the four constitutional amendment bills the government hopes to advance to referendum.
Christie said the move was the right thing to do.

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