Andre Rollins speaks in the House of Assembly.
By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins said yesterday he is prepared to swim in his “own vomit” to order “to get back with” the Free National Movement (FNM) to ensure that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) does not win the upcoming general election.
While making his contribution in the House of Assembly last night, Dr Rollins said despite all that has happened, he is an FNM and his main objective is to make sure the party, led by Dr Hubert Minnis, becomes the next government of The Bahamas.
Dr Rollins’ statements contradicted comments he made in December, when he said Dr Minnis “would be an absolute failure as Prime Minister”.
The Fort Charlotte MP was among seven FNM members of Parliament who submitted a letter of no confidence in Dr Minnis last year, forcing the Killarney MP to be removed as Official Opposition Leader in the House of Assembly. The “rebel” MPs voted to have Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner replace Dr Minnis.
Since that move, Dr Rollins has said repeatedly criticised Dr Minnis and his leadership abilities. He has also said he would “not seek re-election” under a Dr Minnis-led FNM.
However, while debating the draft order of the Constituencies Commission’s boundaries report in Parliament yesterday, Dr Rollins said he is willing to do what it takes to return to the FNM.
A disciplinary tribunal has been convened to look into the MPs’ actions and Dr Minnis asked the members to resign from the party after their coup.
“The member for Killarney may not be the leader of the Opposition but he is still the leader of the FNM and I would say this: it is said in the past that Mr Perry Christie, the right honourable member for Centreville, was prepared to swim in his vomit to return to the PLP,” Dr Rollins said. “Well, I will tell you this for the record right now: I would never swim in any vomit but if I have to get back in the FNM and run in the next election to make sure that the PLP has no chance, no chance whatsoever of regaining power, let me tell you something, that is something I would be prepared to do,” Dr Rollins said.
“I am FNM. Having said that, if I go anywhere I want the member for Montagu to go with me. I want the member of Central Grand Bahama to go with me. I want the member for North Eleuthera to go with me. I want the member of St Anne’s to go with me and I want the member for South Abaco to go with me.”
Rising on a point of order, Edison Key, member of Parliament for South Abaco, said he “appreciated” Dr Rollins’ comments but said he “would not be going back to the FNM with the present leader”.
Meanwhile, Dr Rollins said he believes if all the opposition members put their egos aside, the “FNM will have the ability to put this country on the right path.”
“My objective is to make sure in this next election the FNM becomes the next government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Dr Rollins said.
“I believe with the right team in place we can in fact have the ability to live up to the potential that we have and to set this country on the right path. Because at this moment, for the past five years we have been going down the wrong path under this PLP administration ... We will have to do what we have to do even if it means that persons who are not necessarily in love with each other. We will set aside these differences because we love this country more than we love each other.
“The Bahamian people are demanding that we focus on what is right and what is in their interest and they want us not to focus on our own personal ego and that is why, if I have to, I will do all that I can to be an effective part of this next electoral campaign.”
Speaking as a guest on 103.5 FM’s Freedom March hosted by Rodney Moncur in December, Dr Rollins said while Dr Minnis may seem like a “nice guy,” his one-time political ally is deceptive and a danger to an already struggling country.
“Dr Minnis may be a nice guy, somebody who people might think is (upstanding),” Dr Rollins said last year. “I believe that the danger is that Dr Minnis doesn’t have what it takes to lead this country by evidence of what we have seen thus far with the Free National Movement. Dr Minnis doesn’t give me any confidence that he has what it takes.
“I believe Dr Minnis would be an absolute failure as Prime Minister. He would be an utter failure if put in position to be Prime Minister, as he has been an utter failure as leader of Opposition.”
Comments
sp1nks 7 years, 2 months ago
Ah, my... I feel bad for you Dr. Rollins. If LBT taught us one thing, it's that blind ambition can destroy the landscape to which one seeks to ascend. Dr. Rollins, take some time off... maybe run as an independent. At the right time, Prime Minister Minnis will probably forgive you and welcome you back. In the meantime, go res' ya self l'il while.
themessenger 7 years, 2 months ago
Well ya know Doc, crow and vomit taste 'bout the same and the moral of the story is keep your words soft and sweet just in case ya have to eat them.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 2 months ago
Rollins is young and brash .............. experience is always the best teacher ........ he sought greener pastures (twice) and discovered the weeds and briers are the same in both pastures
Rollins will learn that to survive in the Bahamian political landscape takes a certain amount of ass-kissing .......... just ask Brave, Sears and Obie or Tommy, Vargo and Brent
TalRussell 7 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Dr. Andre may be suffering from Labyrinthitis, an infection and swelling in the inner ear resulting from Long Island's MP "Reheasa's" slap delivered on floor Peoples Honourable House of Assembly - that known cause serious long-term vomiting.
SP 7 years, 2 months ago
Could Have Used A Better Choice Of Words Than "Prepared To Swim In His Own Vomit"
We already have one absolute failure politician that coined that "vomit swimming" phrase in the person of PM Perry Gladstone Useless Christie, for GODS sake we don't need another one!
Rollins now realises he effectively shot himself in the foot, ass and head by following BLT into the deep, dark, wilderness of loud noises, but nowhere.
Dr. Minnis could use a guy like Rollins, however, trusting Rollins is likened to kissing cobras and gooseeing horses. Probably not a good idea, but if you're going to do it be prepared to get fooked!
That being said. I truly feel Rollins has the nation and people's best interest at heart and would be an excellent addition to the HOA.
Honestman 7 years, 2 months ago
Minnis made a mistake bringing Rollins into the FNM fold. He would be making a fool of himself if he were to bring him back a second time.
TalRussell 7 years, 2 months ago
by TalRussell
EasternGate 7 years, 2 months ago
Rollins did not say he would swim in vomit. He said that short of swimming in the vomit. How in the fuck can we call a man Rt. Hon. who exuberantly declares "I'll swim in the vomit"? Perry ain't nothing but a piece of shit!
Baha10 7 years, 2 months ago
It appears this Guy will do and say virtually anything on any given day for favor and in turn, power, may God help us if ever one day he succeeds!
TheMadHatter 7 years, 2 months ago
This is a very very sad story. Apparently - not only Rollins - but many people are preparing to support the FNM the this time - in order to "get rid" of the PLP.
That's like saying I'm prepared to fill up my house with roaches, so I can get rid of the rats. Ya house ga still be messed up.
Do Bahamians simply believe that it is impossible to have a clean house? No rodents of any kind? A good government? A new and good government? Does the Law say you are only allowed to vote FNM or PLP?
TheMadHatter
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 2 months ago
Well I like Rollins. From two years ago my ticket was (and always will be) Dr Sands & Dr Rollins. I hope they can win their seats, I think they would both be excellent contributors to the House debate. They have great progressive ideas (other than that LBT thing)
It's really amazing, but Dr Rollins has formed a one man opposition. It's like the rest of them are in comas.
EasternGate 7 years, 2 months ago
I approve this post
banker 7 years, 2 months ago
Rollins is just a talker. If you're gonna be a smartass, first you have to be smart. Otherwise you're just an ass. Rollins have proven to the world that he een smart by following the butt crack of LBT after getting the head slap from her. It's like something out of "Fifty Shades of Grey". Strategic thinking is not his forte. Nor is action. He is about as useful as the number 9 button on a microwave.
TalRussell 7 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Banker, could be Dr. Andre is suffering from Battered MP Syndrome (BMPS)
Honestman 7 years, 2 months ago
Banker is spot on regarding Rollins.
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
I think that Dr. Rollins will be PM some day. . .he has the fire, bites and balls to get the job done. . .only one thing he needs to learn. . .THEM DAYS AS "ROWDY LEADER" LEADER OF THE BAHAMAS ARE GONE. . .THIS IS BECOMMING A THINKING MAN'S GAME NOW. . .he is smart. . .but just took the ole way to get to the top. . .BUT NEVER COUNT HIM OUT. . .AT LEAST YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHERE HE IS. . .YA COULD LOOK OUT FOR THE KNIFE HE MIGHT HAVE IS HIS HANDS BECAUSE HE WILL BE TALKING UP-A-STORM. . .I LIKE HIM. . .THE FNM SHOULD MAKE HIM CHAIRMAN. . .GROW THEIR OWN FUTURE PM! IT WILL BE A CRYING SHAME TO THROW SUCH A PROMISING POLITICAL CAREER IN THE WASTE. . .HE IS A NATURAL. . .
Honestman 7 years, 2 months ago
Rollins has as much chance of becoming Prime Minister as Fred Mitchell.
Ain't never gonna happen.
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
They said the same about LOP, HI, PGC. . .now about yinna rocin doc. . .now he is poised to be the next PM. . . lol! Mr. Mitchell is too childish, petty, vindictive (don't care if he sinks the whole nation to get a last blow on anyone), self-absorbed, catty, rude, mean and stingy and acts womanish (rowing all over the place etc.) . . .bitching and complaining about any and everything! He is smart yes. . .
sheeprunner12 7 years, 2 months ago
Rollins is singing for his political supper .......... he will go hungry in 2017
LBT doesn't even has a pair of hands left to feed herself ......... if there was a slight possibility that food would be available for her to eat ................ she will starve as well in 2017
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