The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday called Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’s congratulatory remarks to the newly sworn in North Abaco Member of Parliament a ‘clever political slant’ 
disguised as encouragement.

Mr Christie’s criticism followed Dr Minnis’s remarks in the House of Assembly urging Renardo Curry to seek council from former Prime Minister and North Abaco MP of the last 35 years Hubert Ingraham.

Dr Minnis said: “I want to say to them (FNM supporters) they should not change and we will not change. We will continue to fight for democracy and sooner or later we will be sitting on that side.

“North Abaco has been represented by a giant, the former Prime Minister who had a vision for the Bahamas, who had a vision for North Abaco.

“Through you Mr Speaker I’d like to say to the Member for North Abaco that there is nothing wrong with him speaking to the former Prime Minister.”

Continuing the address, the Killarney MP at one point turned to Mr Curry speaking directly to him.

House Speaker Kendal Major however interjected saying that Dr Minnis could only speak directly to the chairman in 
making Parliamentary remarks.

The Prime Minister then stood to his feet and recalled his 36-year political career in which he said had never witnessed an address like Dr Minnis’s.

He said: “I don’t know if I’ve ever heard an effort of the kind, that began as a tribute and congratulatory remarks to the new 
member, take such a context.

“It is your choice, and you must remember now that there is a path that you should take note of, (the one that) the Progressive Liberal Party took.”

Mr Christie said the opposition should choose to discuss the issues that matter most to Bahamians and offer citizen’s choices.