By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement chairman Carl Culmer expects all FNM parliamentarians to support Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in today’s vote of no confidence in the House of Assembly, though he declined to discuss what repercussions could befall those who don’t.
“If you don’t support the leader, you are telling us upfront you don’t support the party and the government,” he said yesterday.
The Tribune understands the FNM’s parliamentary caucus held a special meeting on Sunday evening to strategise about today’s motion, which Dr Minnis is expected to easily defeat. “There will be no surprises,” Mr Culmer said.
Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, a frequent FNM critic of the Minnis administration, will likely attract attention for how he votes.
Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, his counterpart in frequently criticising his own party, is expected to miss the sitting - last week he said he will be out of the country.
Mr Miller declined to discuss his intentions yesterday and said he was still discussing the matter with his advisers.
The no confidence motion comes after opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis accused Dr Minnis of “knowingly, intentionally, and deliberately” misleading the House by claiming Brent Symonette was not involved in discussions and negotiations over renting the Town Centre Mall to host the General Post Office when he was minister of immigration and financial services. Mr Symonette is part owner of the mall. A parliamentary resolution is required to permit a sitting MP to benefit from a contract with the government.
After he resigned from Cabinet, the St Anne’s MP revealed Dr Minnis called him to discuss the government’s plans to rent the mall before the resolution was brought to Parliament, an admission that appeared to contradict the resolution that was passed. Mr Symonette said the pair discussed the size of the mall to be leased and the cost of doing so.
Maurice Tynes, former parliamentary clerk, said lying or misleading Parliament is a “serious charge even though members throw it around so often.”
“They are supposed to stick to what the resolution says and debate on those terms; and the PLP probably intentionally made their resolution very narrow to restrict them, but I’m sure the government will use the opportunity to talk about all the good things they have done and all the wrong the PLP has done in the past,” he said.
He expects the FNM to move an amendment to Mr Davis’ motion to say the House has confidence in the prime minister.
“That’s what usually happens, and after doing that they would then would go after the PLP,” he said. “You know how this is going to work, but it’s not pleasant and not good for a democracy for this to be done. When the numbers are what they are now in terms of parliamentary composition and you’re the opposition, you’re hoping to put on record some of the things you think were really egregious and hope they stick with the public.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 4 months ago
Now if Bahamians were to use their power these MPs would ONLY vote as we want. Not the party.....
COUNTRY FIRST!
Minnis is an empty suit, if anyone takes a no confidence motion to the house it should be FNMs. He is your PM after all, and he is LOUSY AT HIS JOB.....
sheeprunner12 4 years, 4 months ago
We are going to start the debate all over again ........ who does a Bahamian MP ultimately represent????? ...... His constituents or his party???????
John 4 years, 4 months ago
The mere fact that the chairman of the party raised these concerns confirms there is dissent in the party. And you you may tow the party line and support your leader. But if you are not loyal to your constituents, who elected you, and getting their concerns heard and taken care of, you are an infidel and a traitor of the Bahamian people and your judgement will come in Election 2022 without mixture.
sheeprunner12 4 years, 4 months ago
Our version of the US Congress Impeachment going on now in Washington DC
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 4 months ago
Minnis has ruthlessly gone about stuffing every higher rung of the FNM party apparatus with his brain-dead cronies for whom he has done many political "favours" since becoming PM. As a result, all senior operatives within the FNM party put Minnis's own political interests and their own interests ahead of the interests of the country and the vast majority of Bahamians. That's just a well known irrefutable simple fact.
sheeprunner12 4 years, 4 months ago
Where is your evidence???? ........... Cite examples, please.
John 4 years, 4 months ago
Let me help him... who is Marlon Johnson?
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
Customs maybe?
geostorm 4 years, 4 months ago
Get over it people, Dr. Minnis is the duly elected Prime Minister of the Bahamas. We have a parliamentary system of government..... what that means in layman's terms is he "AIN'T" going anywhere! Today's vote of confidence is a waste of time.
If the good Doc, whom I fully support, is doing such a bad job in your opinions, then by all means, meet him at the polls in 2022 and put your vote where your mouth is. Until then, let the man get on with trying to clean up 40 years of mess that has been left behind by successive governments!
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 4 months ago
You're delusional if you think Tweedle-Dumb Minnis is trying to clean up the mess of past administrations. Just look at the mess he left our public healthcare system in when he was Minister of Health under the last Ingraham administration. Back then he was more concerned about renting one his buildings to the PHA for $7,000 per month. One can only imagine what he must truly be concerned about now as PM.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
I guess you need "more time" to see proof of competence
Godson 4 years, 4 months ago
Where the Fuck you get that from? IN THE BAHAMAS WE DO NOT ELECT PRIME MINISTERS!!!!
TheMadHatter 4 years, 4 months ago
I suppose you also "fully support" the fact that in 46 years of so-called "independence" we have only had 4 prime ministers? Is that a shining example of democracy. Every Party seems to stick behind their PM like a "god" until they lose an elections horribly - then they act surprised.
Hopefully I will hear tonight on ZNS that the MPs decided to remove Minnis and replace him with Carl Bethel. Then we can all breath a sigh of relief and know that we will become humans in this country instead of second class dogs.
TalRussell 4 years, 4 months ago
Let's wait see how the no surprise red party's comrade chairman Carl will duck once the government become obligated to reveal all the costs surrounding the true purchase, decorating, redecorating, lighting and staging the Christmas Tree, along with the still unknown true costs for all the dancers, performers, costumes and music which street and jib corner rumour has the final price tag run well into the $80,000 range. You can't make this up,you just, can't.
realitycheck242 4 years, 4 months ago
Well Well Mr Culmer MP Vaughn Miller is giving his speech and he is still against the town center deal and will vote against the no confidence motion in the PM
birdiestrachan 4 years, 4 months ago
doc clean up 40 years of mess. doc is the mess.
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