The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

BAMBOO Town MP Renward Wells claimed yesterday that the country was searching for the next political giant in the run-up to the 2017 general election.

Mr Wells suggested that the focus on political disputes had narrowed significantly because the nation was looking for a leader to join the ranks of Sir Lynden Pindling, Hubert Ingraham, and Perry Christie.

“We have had three political giants in this country, one has passed on Sir Lynden, we’ve had Hubert Ingraham and we have Perry Christie,” he said, “and when he moves off the stage, I guess the big question for the Bahamian people is who next?

“That’s really the question that is being asked. It’s not necessarily why the personalities are emerging because in this vein that is what ought to happen, that’s not the impetus as to why people speak.

“But I think the nation itself is looking and because the nation is looking it focuses more on who should we then see, who should we then look to, and who is saying what?”

Mr Wells added: “I believe that one thing you don’t sleep on is the intellect and political skills of Perry Christie, I don’t sleep on that, I don’t think anyone else should either.”

Mr Wells also considered the impact of the potential disciplinary action faced by embattled PLP Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, who has repeatedly criticised the government and the prime minister.

“I think it’s an opening up of the democracy,” he said. “I think from the prime minister’s own history, he would say that it’s an opening up of democracy.

“In the PM’s time and (Hubert) Ingraham’s time, we didn’t have the kind of free press that would have carried it. It was ZNS so nobody knew of the discord and things that were taking place.”

He added: “The coverage of it is now so wide.”

A decision from the PLP’s National General Council is expected today on Dr Rollins’ fate. A disciplinary committee activated to discuss Dr Rollins’ scathing critiques of the government has recommended he be suspended for at least six months.