Marco City MP Greg Moss resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) last night. The resignation came after he severely criticized the Christie administration on major issues during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly. As he wrapped up his contribution, Moss told the speaker of the House that he had one more thing to say.

"This is rule 23, sub 3, of our rules," he said, referring to the House Rules. "By the time I come back to this House, Mr. Speaker, you are going to be required to exercise a discretion under rule 23, sub 3, regarding the seating of members in this House, because tonight I'm going to resign as a member of the PLP.

"I cannot continue with this party in the manner in which it is operating. That resignation will go out in the course of tomorrow to the speaker, to the leader of our party, to the chairman of the party.

"I strongly encourage this party to look not at window dressing, but at changes. We clearly have a problem with leadership.

"We clearly have a problem of leadership at an executive level and at a party level.

"I'll follow my conscience on this one, Mr. Speaker. I will ask to be reseated at the next sitting."

Moss then took his seat. During his contribution to the debate, Moss said in assessing the government's performance since May 7, 2012, one can reasonably conclude that "The Bahamas is not better". He charged that the Christie administration's Stronger Bahamas initiative is not what the people elected the PLP to office for.

Stronger Bahamas, a multifaceted public relations initiative by the government, seeks to engage Bahamians on the work being done by the government to combat the country's biggest challenges, the Christie administration claims. Moss said the plan is only "transferring the burden of governance from this place to the people".

"We are the ones responsible for building a modern Bahamas where our children have a brighter future," he said.

"We are not the ones responsible for building that momentum. The people are. That's not what they elected us for. They elected us to come in here with vision."

He charged that crime in the country is out of control and asked why the government is not doing more to get it undercontrol.

"Where is our approach to crime, which doesn't involve a lashing out at the police force and the defense force by the executive?" he asked.

It was a clear reference to comments made by Prime Minister Perry Christie last week.

Christie accused the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force of allowing their "divisions" to hamper efforts to create a safer Bahamas. Moss also questioned why the government is seeking to replace the Bahamian management at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation with foreigners.

"Why is it that Bahamians can't do that?" he asked.

"I simply don't understand it. I don't understand how it is consistent with our political philosophy to take a corporation and the only thing we are changing in it is moving the management from Bahamian to non-Bahamian.

"If we are convinced that we need foreigners to manage BEC, why don't we need foreigners to run this government? Why don't we need foreigners to be in this House? If we are able to come here and run a country, why can't Bahamians run a corporation?"

The government announced recently that it selected PowerSecure International, an American company, to manage the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity at BEC.

While negotiations are not yet completed, the major terms have been agreed, the government said at last reports. The management period will cover five years. During his contribution, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said last night that he was saddened by Moss' announcement, adding that he hopes Moss changes his mind.

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