FIRED: Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson and Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine.
Video
McAlpine greeted by supporters
Frederick McAlpine arrives back at Grand Bahama International Airport this afternoon.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has fired Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson and Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller from their posts as parliamentary secretaries and Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine from his post as chairman of the Hotel Corporation today for breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure.
Mr Robinson was parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism while Mr Miller was parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Social Services.
The Tribune spoke with Mr Miller this afternoon who said he was being escorted by a police officer to return his government assigned vehicle and said he had been fired via letter from the prime minister. Mr Robinson also received a letter relieving him of his post.
A Facebook page associated with Mr McAlpine posted a photograph of him accompanied by policemen with his termination letter.
The men broke ranks from the party and voted against the government’s impending increased of value added tax from 7.5 percent to 12 percent along with FNM backbencher Reece Chipman and the Official Opposition.
Section 21 of the manual states, “A parliamentary secretary is a member of the government. At parliamentary meetings or committee meetings he may play a full part by means of suggestion and criticism in the formulation of policy. Once the government has established its course of action, it is the duty of the parliamentary secretary to give that course his full support in public.”
More on this story as it develops.
Comments
realfreethinker 5 years, 10 months ago
Nothing to see here. You break company rules and regulation this is what happens. Happens everyday. Of cause we are so political it will be blown out of whack.
CatIslandBoy 5 years, 10 months ago
Agreed
SK 5 years, 10 months ago
Section 21 of the manual states, “A parliamentary secretary is a member of the government. At parliamentary meetings or committee meetings he may play a full part by means of suggestion and criticism in the formulation of policy. Once the government has established its course of action, it is the duty of the parliamentary secretary to give that course his full support in public.”
How can I lend my support if I am hearing about it for the first time when everyone else is hearing about it? THE DPM it seems put everything together and presented to the PM who gave the ok and it became course of action.Even those that support the budget seems to have been blindsided when it was presented. It seems as though this was deliberate. Then dangle the PS positions to force the other members to go along with it.
realitycheck242 5 years, 10 months ago
The fired MP,s just need bide their time and get cozy with chester and get the PLP nomination for the next election. They will all be return to their seat with victories. This will all work if they can plot the removal of Brave
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 10 months ago
Minnis thinks this is the end. This is only the beginning. All of you that were fired by Minnis, keep up the good work. You did the RIGHT thing!
I've heard no fat ladies singing yet!
realitycheck242 5 years, 10 months ago
yep .....The fired MP's can now feel proud because they have joined the ranks of the late Carlton Francis who also voted his conscience and was fired.. Their souls are dancing on this day.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 10 months ago
They may have a better chance of keeping their seats than those who voted yes. This Budget hurts poor people. how could they look the poor in the face. doc can because he even lies to himself and tells himself he is right when he is wrong.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, seems Minnis will treat some different, if they crossover House floor wearing PLP shoes.... keep ya political funeral suit PM and KP.... four red shirts MP's openly voted NO and seven red shirts MP's - some substantive Imperial cabinet ministers - didn't vote at all. That's 11 plus Speaker total 12.... headcount is climbing, right?
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
by TalRussell
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
Looks like Roc Wid Doc flexing he muscle. Even Kim Jong-Un seems to be learning a bit of tolerance!
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
Did figure up to 14....actual 14 as the Speaker did not vote ... According to the guidelines and rulebook this is part of the rules as well advertised beforehand....and they stuck to their principles to do their best for the pore they represented in their constituencies Truly noteworthy, in the Bahamian history books for their children and all descendants to learn in classrooms to the end of time.
Observer 5 years, 10 months ago
This RULE makes a member a LIAR. If one disagrees with a matter in private, that disagreement does not automatically change in public. Discard that ridiculous RULE. It only perpetuates hypocrisy.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrade Observer, the liars are all who told the 91,409 that all they had to for change was to turnout 10th May, 2017 at the polling stations across colony islands - including foreignness owned Freeport - to Vote Vote Vote brungs about positive, transparent change to governing.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 10 months ago
As one commenter stated, what's the point of voting if you only can Vote YES. I think something is being misrepresented here.
But whatever the case, those guys did the right thing.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrade, even Prime Minister is an MP of the House of Assembly Even a PM is expected represent the constitutes electing them House...... just ask former PM Christie what happens when you stop representing constituents...... although I do get feelings that the former PM is proud of his much younger Centerville MP replacement.
Dawes 5 years, 10 months ago
This is what is meant to happen if you go against the rules. I assume these MP's knew this and still went ahead. Of course if the PM had not fired them he would have been called weak, and by firing them he is called a dictator. All by people who do not understand how our parliamentary system works.
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
That is the it .and would be announced by no less the Attorney General ...who a few weeks ago was pointing out the wodening gap between the rich and the pore. The rule is there in one view that a reject is some no confidence which leads to elections and an example may be like with Joe Clark a former Canadian PM losing budget vote ?. and having elections called and Trideau ? winning it...or something Iike that....... perhaps someone can explain it better further with... percentages ????
Socrates 5 years, 10 months ago
Again a concept alien to our society, paying the price or suffering the consequences of your choices/actions. These men made a conscious decision that they could not support their party on arguably its most significant piece of legislation for the year, the national budget. Thats fine, but be prepared for the consequences of that decision. This attitude in our society that we can all do whatever the hell we feel like doing without paying the price has to go... its called accountability.
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
We know the FNM is toast... BUT... Please, please no more PLP.
realitycheck242 5 years, 10 months ago
well the DNA better get they act together.
joeblow 5 years, 10 months ago
No, the better option is to have Minnis ousted and a more suitable person replace him as leader!
ted4bz 5 years, 10 months ago
OK what rules they broke? The MP’s are there to legislate and to cast their mark up or down. What is this that it is against the rules? So is this the silly rule a parliamentary act, constitutional or is it party twist? We need to see the text of this rule, not the interpretations of this silly rule.
thephoenix562 5 years, 10 months ago
Do a web search for manual of cabinet and ministry procedure.Read it
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
I think this rule applies to most governmental positions. In other words, if you publicly go against the big boss............. I guess you are not supposed to bite the hand that feeds you. It seems there is no opportunity for meeting half-way! Shame. That is why so many votes are supposedly bought in our huge civil service every five years and that is why we now need so much damn VAT.It is called a vicious circle........
spoitier 5 years, 10 months ago
It may be some kind of a rule but it makes no sense. Why vote? Once the Government has established its course of action, make it law and no vote is required. This form of government is a formality, no better than you telling your wife I love you and she responding that she love you too and not meaning a word of it.
John 5 years, 10 months ago
Proven that Minnis is just a mere puppet. And his strings are telling to bring fire on the heads of the Bahamian people and destroy anyone who oppose you. Let us pray.
John 5 years, 10 months ago
His bench may be deep but this game is not going into over time.
Greentea 5 years, 10 months ago
Like the sports analogy- but the bench ain't deep at all. For instance- I have to now admit that I thought Dames might be a good minister and a year he has proven himself to be a runner and a robot with zero ideas. I watched that press conference and realized that it was probably his personality that kept him out the top post. I had to admit that all things being equal- Greenslade was more personable. Bench not deep at all. Furthermore- Minnis is not good at processing and responding to criticism- Its remarkable and sand just how bad he is.
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
...please disregard my above comment on... Attorney General .....who a few weeks ago was pointing out the widening gap between the rich and pore. Unable to locate the article for the comment. Apologies.
Islandboy242242 5 years, 10 months ago
Kinda sad IMO. Perhaps these 4 Gents are like 75% of the Bahamian Population and don't yet have enough information from the FNM in order to feel like the VAT hike is the best plan of action, or what the Country truly needs. Perhaps if they were more included they would have felt better about supporting the budget, and would have been able to also share the same with their Constituents. Or they could just say yes boss, yes boss, yes boss...
John 5 years, 10 months ago
"Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
TigerB 5 years, 10 months ago
We are missing the point here, section 21 spells it out, that is the foundation, everything rises or fall on that. It is the law... and protocol. We can wine all we want the PM was right, bottom line!
Greentea 5 years, 10 months ago
Section 21 of WHAT? If y'all suddenly bringing up this bible what does it say about the behavior of the Speaker of the House? Pull one rule when you need it but know that the people will hold the government accountable for ALL the rules- moving forward.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 10 months ago
Agreed.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
The people will speak in 4 years. . .why do you think that yinna are here whining like "lil chirrins them". . . one big chaotic mess of a mind-set. . .follow no rules, borrow anything. . .anytime we please. . .no damn body tell us what to do, how to do it and when to do it!! This is so strange for yinna. . .yall always been and unruly bunch of self-destructive people led by equally destructive governments. . . have not paid anything on yinna dept principle since 1968. . .and borrowing near i billion each year. DOC GAT YINNA GONE. . .GIVE THE POOR MOST OF THE SHORT-TERM BENEFITS AND THE MIDDLE CLASS THE MEDIUM AND THE ELITE THE LONG-TERM JUICE COMING!! IF BY SOME SILLY STUCK OF UNFORESEEN BUCK-UP. . .EVEN IF YINNA MOVE DOC NEXT ELECTION. . .THE CHANGE WILL HAVE BEEN MADE. . .WELCOME TO THE NEW BAHAMAS!
BONEFISH 5 years, 10 months ago
In the westminister system of government we have,this is what happens. Ministers either resigned their portfolios of their appointments are revoked if they are opposed openly to their part's policies.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
by TalRussell
SP 5 years, 10 months ago
The Westminster system of government was written by imperfect men, who obviously purposely placed a flaw in the system to maintain control of MP's.
This stupidity of MP's having to vote positively for anything brought by the prime minister is exactly the reason Pindling, Ingraham, and Christie crashed and burned to become such colossal failures along with all their MP's.
MP's are voted in to serve their constituents, not kiss the prime ministers ass!
These four "MEN" need to stand together and consider forming the nucleus of a third party opposing the PLP and FNM in 2022.
We the people are sick and tired of the PLP and FNM kowtowing to special interest and entrenched economic pirates!
Greentea 5 years, 10 months ago
SP I could not agree more with your statement below!!!! "The Westminster system of government was written by imperfect men, who obviously purposely placed a flaw in the system to maintain control of MP's.This stupidity of MP's having to vote positively for anything brought by the prime minister is exactly the reason Pindling, Ingraham, and Christie crashed and burned to become such colossal failures along with all their MP's.MP's are voted in to serve their constituents, not kiss the prime ministers ass!"
Is this THE Westminster system or OUR interpretation of that system? I have a sneaky feeling if we actually do some real research on this - like real reporters used to do- we may find the root of our current dilemma- Who is the architect of this BS?
Aegeaon 5 years, 10 months ago
What a complete meltdown..
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
That's an understatement! You see the McAlpine video?
There was no need to put on this ridiculous whip, other than to once again create a manufactured crisis that would blow up in his face. Maybe he is linked to Trump.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, this is rise strong man's authoritarian tactics and the fact that it's all being done in full red costume masquerading as colonialism - supported by Imperial red shirts MP's who didn't have balls remind the PM that it was he who called even lower 7.5% VAT a regressive tax on the many.... many far wealthier than that pocketbooks four rudely fired MP's. Have none you come to office with NO ability bear shame... this falls beyond even anything done by the Bay Street Boys against their own elected colleagues.... less honour than a Sir Stafford, who never was accused being among liars.
John 5 years, 10 months ago
Is this a democracy or a dictatorship? Even if the three members voted against the budget or abstained, Minnis had sufficient votes for the budget to pass. This is clear indication that there is foreign tampering in our government. They want Minnis to have full control so when they force more controversial bills down your throats, you will swallow without even asking for water. With each of the three fired MP’s representing constituents of four thousand, that is close to Twelve Thousand persons that are now not supporting the FNM or at least doubting Minnis and his intentions. Want to know why? Take $50 and go into any food store and try buy food for three people. Even try $100. Most of these people don’t have a car, cable or internet. Some don’t have light or running water. And so you telling them you gonna make their lives even more difficult and your only explanation is that the government before you screwed up. What has this government fixed or made better in the past 24 months?
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
Foreign tampering with our Bahamas? How interesting! Who could it possibly be???
John 5 years, 10 months ago
And let’s not forget those mothers and families who had innocent family members shot to smothering by police officers and were told ‘cold’ that there will be no special investigation.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
JUST TELL US OF ONE CASE. . .I EVEN ALLOW YOU TO SEARCH THAT "CHAOTIC BRAIN" OF YOURS. . .JUST GIVE US ONE CASE THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT CONFORMED TO YOUR CRAP TALKING!!
OldFort2012 5 years, 10 months ago
The level of complete ignorance of how Parliamentary Democracy works, even after 50 years of "Majority Rule", should be enough to make most grown men weep. So here goes, for all the uneducated above: An MP is elected by his constituency and represent his constituents in Parliament. That is his FIRST JOB. He becomes a "backbench MP" meaning he is without any executive power and is free to vote his conscience.
If his Party form the Government, he may (or may not) be invited by his party leader to be part of the Government (the executive). He then becomes a "Frontbench MP", meaning he represents the Government in certain matters in the House. That is his SECOND job. An additional job. Think of it as totally separate from his first job, because it is. Regardless of how much we have bastardised the system.
Now, it should be obvious to anyone with 2 brain cells that you cannot represent the Government and vote against yourself. If those 3 MPs had any decency, they would have resigned their government posts first and then voted against the government. That is the way the system works. Naturally, these guys wanted to keep the extra money, because they are scumbags. Quite rightly, they were fired, from their SECOND job.
Now that they are backbench MPs again, they are free to vote against the Government to their heart's content.
I always said that a system of Parliamentary Democracy was way too advanced for the Bahamas. A tribal chief would suffice here.
Dawes 5 years, 10 months ago
Thank you. Hopefully others read and now understand how our system works. As you said if these MP's were honourable they should have resigned first, however they voted no in the hope that the backlash would make Minnis think again. As it is, he has enough MP's that he can afford to have many back benchers at this time.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
That's the way it works when they WANT it to work that way, why hasn't anyone asked for Raynard Henfiekds resignation. His case is worse than theirs, he's the leader of govt business in the Senste and he voted against the Spy bill, no one said a peep. These guys are gone because they were deemed to be expendable . He send the other ones out the country
OldFort2012 5 years, 10 months ago
No, that is the way it is DESIGNED to work and SHOULD work. The fact that we are a banana republic and bastardize and spoil anything and everything is an entirely different matter.
realfreethinker 5 years, 10 months ago
Thisisours you are wrong again. Rigby is not a part of the government,he is part of the legislature. He is always free to vote his conscience.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
YOU ARE COMPARING DONKEYS WITH SHEEP. . .LAW MAKING HAS TO REMAIN SEPARATED AS WE MOVE ALONG THE PROTOCOL OF APPROVALS. . . AG WRITE LAWS. . .HOA PASS THEM. . .SENATE LOOK THEM OVER AND PASS THEM BACK TO HOA. . .WHO SEND THEM TO THE GG FOR SIGNING. . .ALL OF THESE ARE SEPARATED FROM THE GOVERNMENT. . .THE SENATE IS NOT APART OF GOVERNMENT PARTY. . .THEY ARE APPOINTED TO APPROVE OR REJECT WHATEVER HOA SEND THEM!! NO PERSON IN THERE CAN BE PENALIZED FOR ACCEPTING OR REJECTING ANYTHING SENT TO THEM FOR REVIEW.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
The Senate isn't a part of the "government party"? I didn't know there was such a thing as the government "party". I'm fully aware of what's the Senate dies and that Henfiekd is completely unqualified to sit there. I'm also aware that if he had done something to upset Minnis like McAlpine, he would be gone, no ifs ands or buts. Selective democracy. (Oh I did make a mistake Carl Bethel is leader of govt business in senate)
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
There is nothing wrong here on the side of the MPs or the PM. There are systems in place to help the govt push its agenda. However, MPs are free to vote however they wish (with consequences in some cases).
If we were a dictatorship, as some suggest, these MPs and their families would have been shot dead.
They are all alive and well, and so is our democracy.
realfreethinker 5 years, 10 months ago
LOL loce the way you put it madhatter,and you are quite right
John 5 years, 10 months ago
God wants the Sabbath restored in this country. Then we will see some sense of normalcy. The government allowed foreigners to convince them that ‘it has to be business as usual ‘ because tourists claim that there was nothing to do on the Sabbath and ‘they were bored.’ But every other country you go in their holy days and public days are observed. Eventhe US is now more observing of the Sabbath than The Bahamas.
Dawes 5 years, 10 months ago
You must not travel to many countries, as more and more are not observing the sabbath.
realfreethinker 5 years, 10 months ago
Bullshit talk John. You must really live in a bubble. The US don't even allow pray in school you relly think they care about sabbath?
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
In all my travels over the years I have never came across a country that required us to keep any holy days. . . which nation you know about that requires that we do so?
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 10 months ago
Minnis and the FNM party will now go about making political life as miserable as possible for each of the four FNM MPs who were compelled to vote both their conscience and the very strongly expressed sentiments of their constituents. Arrogant Minnis and the FNM party will conveniently forget that they nominated these four MPs to run for elected office a little over a year ago and that each of them invested great time and energy in successfully campaigning for their seats. The vindictiveness and arrogance of Minnis is such that he will ensure these four FNM MPs are prevented from accomplishing anything for their constituents by means of the public purse. I would encourage all four of these brave FNM MPs (Robinson, Miller, McAlpine, and Chipman) to officially become independents at the earliest possible time recognizing that it will not be long before they are joined by other FNM MPs who, like them, and like the vast majority of voters throughout the country today, are most unhappy with Minnis's dismal leadership.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Mudda_sic that is possible although i would advise them to wait for evidence of such vindictive behaviour before taking further action.
It is a shame that we have all allowed our country to get down in this abyss and getting out will be painful, especially for the poor - but we have to stop the fall.
Besides, poor people think being poor is super cool anyway; that's why they bring others into this world to enjoy "poorness" along with them. So don't hurt yah head over them. Dominoes, Kalik, KFC and eeryting ireee.
realfreethinker 5 years, 10 months ago
Themadhatter you are on a roll today with these comments. You are spot on. These commentators really dont get it or just intellectually dishonest.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
Mostly the political ones are lame brained. . .they are just too "vested" to think clearly and some are just down right intellectually dishonest and myopic to be of much value in helpful dialogue.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
Everybody gets it. We owe some money. A lot of it. What we don't get is, no one is asking them to pay everything bavk in three years.KP Turnquest said so himself. He says they're doing it in three years because they don't know what the next govt will do. It's the most insane rationale ever. This breakneck risky strategy could cripple the country. There's no need for the pace. None.
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