By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts believes Free National Movement leader Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to be “double-minded” and lacking in credibility as he accused the opposition leader of changing his words to Bahamians concerning the upcoming gambling referendum.

Speaking at a New Providence based PLP meeting, Mr Roberts made this thoughts known about Dr Minnis’ and the FNM’s attempt to politicize the issue of gambling since the government announce the a referendum for gambling would be put to Bahamians.

Before accusing Dr Mininis of being a flip-flop, Mr Roberts took a moment to highlight Prime Minister Perry Christie, whom he said unlike Dr Minnis, “has never wavered or flip-flopped on this national issue.”

“At all material times the Prime Minister was open, honest, consistent, fair and demonstrated tremendous courage, character and strength in the face of bogus and intentionally misleading statements from the FNM and their surrogates,” the PLP chairman said.

“Let us now compare and contrast this characteristic with that of the FNM leader. On August 20, 2012 Dr. Minnis was quoted as saying “I have nothing against individuals gambling in terms of lottery, buying numbers, etc.” He also indicated that he would vote in favour of legalization of the numbers industry.“

“He later said the following: ‘I have said on numerous occasions, we do not intend to tell people how to vote. Every Bahamian should be guided by their conscience.”

“And lo and behold by the 16th January 2013 Dr. Minnis had made a 180 degree turn on the issue and said that ‘the Free National Movement has concluded that it will recommend that the Bahamian People Vote NO on question number one.’”

Mr Roberts went on to say that despite Dr Minnis’ claims to support the establishment of a national lottery, he again asked voter to vote ‘No’ in the upcoming referendum.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is clearly a man who does not know his own mind and does not believe his own words so why should anybody trust Dr. Minnis. He is clearly double-minded and St. James said that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Dr. Minnis has no credibility as a leader and his word cannot be trusted,” Mr Roberts said.

The Tribune made attempts to reach the opposition leader for comment. However, he could not be reached up to press time.

Theresa Moxey-Ingraham, former FNM parliamentarian and now lead spokesperson for the Vote Yes Campaign, spoke to The Tribune in a recent interview about the upcoming referendum and the possible outcome if it continued to be politicized.

“People are very passionate about both sides of this question now. I think what might have an impact on voter turnout might be the fact that it seems in the last days, the politicians have now drawn the line in the sand and some people are lining up on the side of their favourite political group,” she said.

“Most of us at base are competitive human beings, we don’t want to see our side lose. It’s unfortunate, because we lose sight of what the ultimate issue is.”

While majority of the voting public will take to the polls on January 28 to vote, advance polling begins and ends today for those not able to vote next week due to unforeseen circumstances or prearranged plans.