Centreville MP Reece Chipman speaking at his constituency office. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
CENTREVILLE MP Reece Chipman said the government’s handling of Hurricane Dorian as well as institutional and partisan politics drew him to his decision to sever ties with the governing Free National Movement.
At 10am Thursday, Mr Chipman sent resignation letters to House of Assembly Speaker Halson Moultrie and FNM Chairman Carl Culmer about his decision.
“Absolutely, it was a big thing for me," Mr Chipman said during a press conference at this constituency office, when he was asked if the Minnis administration’s actions in the aftermath of Dorian had anything to do with the move.
"When Bahamian lives are lost and the way you would have seen lives on the street, definitely there is some accountability that needs to take place from the government."
In his letter to Mr Culmer, Mr Chipman said he believed he could do more for the constituency as an independent representative.
“Please accept this letter as resignation from the Free National Movement,” Mr Chipman wrote. “At this time, I am of the belief that partisan politics is not helping the people of Centreville or the country at large.”
The now independent representative has also asked Speaker Moultrie to reseat him according to parliamentary rules. He also wants permission to address his colleagues for five minutes at the next sitting of Parliament.
The first term MP unseated former Prime Minister Perry Christie in 2017, who represented the area for 40 years.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
What took him so long?!
Will be most interesting to hear what he discloses in his press conference later today.
Islandboy242242 4 years, 6 months ago
Might or might not hear much. Remember nothing much really came out relating to the AMMC issues either.
OriginalBey 4 years, 6 months ago
Reece Chipman may your political career R.I.P.
joeblow 4 years, 6 months ago
... but his conscience might allow him to sleep better at night!
OriginalBey 4 years, 6 months ago
If you think politicians lose sleep, you are quite naive.
yeahyasee 4 years, 6 months ago
LOL
BigD1 4 years, 6 months ago
A politician who doesn't like politics is like a Christian who hates christianity
TheMadHatter 4 years, 6 months ago
The truly sad story here is that Bahamians are too ignorant (by majority) to re-elect him to the House next election.
yeahyasee 4 years, 6 months ago
Was thinking the same...they only worrying about partying when 2022 come around forget who's the best candidate. what you gone do fer me?
Sickened 4 years, 6 months ago
I wish we had about 10 independents in our house at all times. We should actually write it in the constitution in order to no only ensure meaningful debate on issues, but to also have more ideas voiced on the floor.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 6 months ago
The masterful liars have no shame. They have increased taxes on the poor. No average Bahamian can say their lives are better under the FNM Government. The cost of living has increased and they seem hell bent on putting Bahamians in jail. for simple matters.
Crime down??. The seems to be a murder each and every day. They believe Bahamians are stupid. and they will swallow the FNM LIES.
truetruebahamian 4 years, 6 months ago
Oh get a life, Birdie!
mckenziecpa 4 years, 6 months ago
Cry baby
BahamaPundit 4 years, 6 months ago
Hats off to Mr. Chipman. The FNM should be run out of town after failing to fulfill their campaign promises. No Freedom of Information Act. No Campaign Finance Reform. No Anti Corruption Act. I wouldn't trust this FNM with $100, because I know $98 is going to dey boys. This FNM is PLP 2.0. only difference is the PRESS turns a blind eye to their corruption, unlike the PLP.
TalRussell 4 years, 6 months ago
When Comrade Grandpapa Chippie was approached by grandson Reecee if he thought his running as a red shirt candidate for Centerville against prime minister Perry Gladstone, was a wise, long term political move, Grandpa Chippie's reply was cutting: You has be joking, yes, no....oh the wise unheeded words wisdom from a recently deceased, Grandpa ....
The_Oracle 4 years, 6 months ago
Rats leaving a sinking ship. Not to correlate Mr. Chipman to a rat but he may be the smart one. In addition to none of the above legislation enacted they have now tabled and begun debate on the amendment to the NEMA act, a bill that could only be described as oppressive, unconstitutional and that would make Hugo Chavez and Morales proud. every Bahamian aught to read and understand it for what it is. Total Government control of your person, your movement, your resources and private assets.
TigerB 4 years, 6 months ago
I doubt any FNM gov't could be compared to any PLP government. Look at Shane Gibson, Michelle Reckley, Frank Smith, Kenrod Dorsette, to name a few. Those were PLP. who some are still proud of. People not going to forget those characters. I'm still not sure what Chapman is talking about. He wasn't in Grand Bahama or Abaco. The focus wasn't Nassau, and Abaco had more focus here in Grand Bahama. All international partners were pleased with the handling of the mess of Dorian. the food just stop being issued yesterday. People eat more and had more than they have had in years. I can't see them putting Brave as the PM maybe some of you can!! Fixin this place will not happen overnight.I hate it when we mix up people's lives with politics!
SP 4 years, 6 months ago
Kudos to Reese Chipman for once again showing he has the fortitude to go against the grain for what is best for Bahamians and The Bahamas!
This FNM lost its' way 10 to 16 months after the last election and is simply another shadow of former PLP and FNM administrations with the same old corrupt oligarchies pulling all the strings.
Mr. Chipman needs to seriously consider beginning discussions with Mr. McAlpine and seek out the likes of Dr. Andre Rollins. Together they could form the foundation of a BADLY NEEDED, NEW, YOUNG political party made up of 100% authentic Bahamians.
The Bahamas must have a party with absolutely no Haitian descendent affiliations if we are going to do what is best for Bahamians and the Bahamas.
We the people of all backgrounds and colors were more than ready to support "The Peoples Movement" in 2017, however, egos and internal power struggles caused its' untimely demise.
CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Chipman!
We the people are more sick and tired of the FNM and PLP asinine stupidity than you can ever begin to imagine and we pray that your new move will be the embryo and startup of a new younger group of politicians that have the gravitas to stand up for we the people and our Bahamaland.
DreamerX 4 years, 6 months ago
Maybe he represents a good thing to you. But the story of the people of AMMC stands as testament to his unscrupulous leanings. Ask the employees who are unafraid to elaborate. He is leaving because his firing has been forgotten and now he can use excuses to claim some fragment of moral high-ground. I am not a defender of the FNM, nor did I vote for them. But this is a not a person to put any faith in.
John 4 years, 6 months ago
So will Reece allow his pa to sleep in peace by crawling back to the PLP, like Christie did. Back then they said Christie went back, like a dog, and ate his vomit.
TalRussell 4 years, 6 months ago
This comrade will hold back kudos to Reece,
Didn't the Centerville MP who got fired under cloud from his job as the politically appointed chairman of the Antiquities Monuments & Museum Corporation, did in fact promise back in March 2018, that he was examining the colony's defamation laws and is considering suing Prime Minister Minnis, for “insinuating” he had engaged in impropriety, yes, no ..... I am just not one them who supports the recycling elected MP's, jump across floor from one political party to another .... more so when they have yet deal with baggage accumulated before jumping party ....
John 4 years, 6 months ago
So the talks are or the word is the FNM carpet was being pulled out from Mr Chipman feet. Another candidate was selected and being groomed for the area. Some new PLP candidates were also out testing the waters and the first lesson one or two of them had to learn is how to duck bottle and rock.
Sickened 4 years, 6 months ago
I heard that they're a few more lined up behind him. Some unexpected names as well.
sheeprunner12 4 years, 6 months ago
FNM = 34 ........... PLP = 4 .............. IND = 1 ............. Wake me up when the FNM majority is reduced to about 24-15. .............. The voters still see RED and YELLOW ............. ORANGE is not a political colour in The Bahamas.
Apostle 4 years, 6 months ago
This is the best thing that Reece could have done. Simply leave the party. The next best thing he should do is to resign his seat and let the PLP and FNM fight for it since he says he left because of the FNM's handling of the hurricane and see how the people whom he represents thinks because I am quite sure he did not consult them before making his move.
The prime minister made a big mistake in appointing him to the Antiquities and Monuments Department without first doing his home work. I noticed above that someone talked about "a rat jumping off a sinking ship", well I can say one that that the prime minister had put the 'rat to watch the cheese' and he jumped off the ship with the cheese. That same string will drown him. He is like the mutinous sailor who must walk the plank. Instead he jumped but obviously didn't realize that sharks don't eat cheese. They eat people.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID