The Free National Movement (FNM) would not agree to salary increases for members of Parliament at this time, even if an independent committee recommends raises, FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said.
Minnis made the statement amid ongoing public backlash to a report of a select committee of the House of Assembly that was backed by MPs from both sides of the political divide.
The parliamentary select committee noted that MPs have not received an increase in 25 years.
The committee also called for the construction of a new Parliament within this term, an increase in constituency allowances and travel allowances, in addition to the introduction of grants to political parties represented in the House of Assembly.
"The FNM has not agreed to any salary increase," Minnis told The Nassau Guardian.
"The FNM has agreed to refer it to an independent committee who would look at it. But under these austerity measures that we're seeing today and hard times that Bahamians are experiencing, the FNM cannot agree, even if the report comes back, cannot agree at this particular time for any increase when many people outside are suffering, cannot pay their bills, are underpaid."
He added, "A politician's position, that's a service position. You have been elected to service and just as we had pain and suffering during the road reconstruction where the entire [population of New Providence] suffered at that time, the politicians must likewise feel the pain and suffering that the rest of The Bahamas is going through."
Leader of Government Business in the House Dr. Bernard Nottage, who chaired the select committee, tabled the report last Wednesday.
Its other members were Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell (PLP). Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells (PLP), South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton (PLP), Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant (FNM), St. Anne's MP Hubert Chipman (FNM) and North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly (FNM).
Some observers have said the report is badly timed, as government finances are stretched, the unemployment rate is in the double digits and the public is being asked to accept a controversial tax reform plan.
Asked what message MPs sent in starting a conversation on salary reviews, Minnis said, "You can have conversations, and that is as far as it can go.
"You cannot, at this particular time, when there is so much pain and suffering, you can not be perceived to show any preferential treatment for any particular group, be it politician or otherwise. We cannot today afford any new Parliament. We cannot today afford any new home for the prime minister. There are many things we would like to do, but we cannot afford it."
The FNM leader said he was reminded about the conditions many people live in when he saw a young woman near a service station living out of her car last week.
"People are suffering and you are talking about salary increase. Salary increase my foot," he said.
Minnis added, "As long as I am leader of this country, the FNM would not support any pay increase with all the pain and suffering that is going on in this country. The FNM will push hard for equality. The FNM will push hard to stop this income inequality."
He added that the Official Opposition will continue to push for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act and for anti-corruption legislation to be brought to Parliament.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian