The Tribune

BY RICARDO WELLS

FNM Chairman Darron Cash yesterday warned Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells not to “spite Bahamian women” in a bid to get back at the Prime Minister over the Letter of Intent controversy.

Mr Cash said the former parliamentary secretary should reveal to the public the circumstances surrounding the controversial signing of a $650m letter of intent with a waste-to-energy company that led to his dismissal; and not use the gender equality vote as an opportunity to make a political statement.

He said the young politician was “finished” with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and pointed to the gender equality referendum as a chance for Mr Wells to represent the voters that elected him.

“As Mr Wells flexes about the power of his vote, he should be reminded that 61 per cent of the people did not want him as their MP,” he said. “He needs to work to build support and expand his base.”

“However, we do hope that Mr Wells will not seek to pay the Prime Minister back by voting against the upcoming gender equality bills. That is not the way for him to flex his parliamentary muscles. To do so would be to do what Mr Christie did back in 2002. Pure politics and spite.

“Today, Wells has first hand experience of what one politician can do. One man is primarily responsible for his entrance into the PLP and his status as a candidate. One man is responsible for his appointment as a Parliamentary Secretary. And one man took it away with the stroke of a pen.”

During its 2012 general election campaign, the PLP campaigned on the premise that the party featured young, vibrant candidates like Fort Charlotte MP Andre Rollins and Mr Wells. Both MPs are now in the middle of respective controversies, Mr Cash said.

“In short order Wells will have outlived his usefulness to Perry Christie and the PLP,” he said. “He has learned the hard way that meaningful roles for young powerhouses like him exist only in the FNM. Perry Christie is all talk about investing in young people and leveraging their intelligence.”

“Whether Mr Wells realizes it or not he is finished in the PLP. So he might as well speak the truth and do it now while there may still be options open to him,” Mr Cash said.

“What would be beneficial is for Wells to tell the whole truth about the deal that got him fired. That act of courage will likely win him support in his constituency.”

Nearly two weeks ago, PM Christie fired Mr Wells from his post as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works because of the controversy.

The anticipated constitutional referendum on gender equality was postponed last month to an unspecified date in 2015.