MP speaks out over perceived ‘threats’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

GREG Moss, the MP for Marco City, yesterday suggested that he does “not fear” Prime Minister Perry Christie and told the House of Assembly that he would not be deterred by what he perceived to be threats of consequences from the nation’s chief over a differing position than that of the Progressive Liberal Party on the constitutional amendment bills.

The comments spurred Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell and Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip Davis to defend the prime minister. Mr Christie, who was out of the lower chamber when Mr Moss launched his verbal attack, later returned to rebut the statements. This led to a back and forth between Mr Moss and Mr Christie over the matter.

Mr Christie questioned the defensive stance that Mr Moss was taking saying they met with each other moments before the House session and had an amicable discussion in the absence of any threats.

Mr Moss said the government had brought four Bills to the House of Assembly – three Constitutional Amendment Bills and the value added tax legislation – to be debated in rapid succession. He said the Bills were important because they had the power to change the country dramatically once brought into force. He suggested that this underscored the gravity of the right of MPs to express their views on the legislation.

“It troubles me, when in respect to one of the sets of bills (before the House), members of my party make statements that there are consequences for a member of Parliament getting up in this House and expressing his conscience on a Bill,” Mr Moss said.

“That happened in this House when the member for Centreville, who is my leader, said that happened when two other members who sit in the Cabinet said things that are very close to that. I would be gravely misunderstood if I did not respond to that.”

Mr Moss said his only objective as a member of Parliament is to deepen democracy without fear or favour.

“If there is a generational divide in this House, where the old ways of thinking have not been put away by certain people so far, aim that in a different direction,” he added. “It does not impact me. I am unmoved by that way of thinking. Freedom of speech is essential.

“. . .If I cannot speak in this House, and trust me I will speak in this House, but if anyone has a view that I cannot speak in this House, what they are basically saying is that no one can speak in this country.

“. . .I want to be clear that my absolute dedication to the idea of deepening this democracy - it will not waver, is undeterred, is unmoved by that kind of talk. I do not fear men. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid? How much bigger than me are you? Your ideas may be bigger, but what we do in here of sharpening each others skills in the debate and the standard of debate is important.”

However, Mr Christie appeared confused over the Mr Moss’ statements.

“Mr Speaker, the member is establishing a predicate that doesn’t exist and arguing against it,” Mr Christie said yesterday as he stood to rebut Mr Moss’ remarks. “Where are the threats? Where are the threats and who are they coming from? I mean you are not the person that I sat with 10 minutes before the House started... and there were threats? We were fellowshipping as friends. Where were the threats? There are no threats from me or my party.”

Mr Moss’ tirade was spurred by comments the prime minister had made as he announced on Monday that Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins had resigned as party whip because he did not support constitutional amendment Bills two and four.

Mr Christie told the House on Monday that when PLP back benchers, including Mr Moss and Mr Rollins, made their respective decisions on the bills, they would appreciate the political consequences of their choices. 

Mr Christie also said on Monday that he had not coerced any member of his party to vote a certain way, but said he had met with Dr Rollins and Mr Moss earlier to discuss their concerns.

“That was an important intervention to me, so that I know that when they decide to do whatever they will do, they and me understand that they appreciate the consequences political of their decision,” Mr Christie said on Monday.

Debate in the House of Assembly continues today at 10am.

Comments

Tommy77 says...

Love this guy.<img src="http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/bg…" style="display:none">

Posted 20 August 2014, 12:11 p.m. Suggest removal

HolandObserver says...

This spectacle gets better and better by the day.

Posted 20 August 2014, 1:21 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Lol

Posted 20 August 2014, 2:42 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Moss can't wait to get his hands back in that cookie jar boy!!

Posted 20 August 2014, 1:45 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Mr. Moss has no reason to fear Mr. Christie. It seems as if Mr. Moss is hurting from what ever happened at NIB. Mr. Moss is a free man he can do as he likes and act as he pleases. and no one including me has to agree with him.

Posted 20 August 2014, 1:48 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Yep he is hurting, he was hung out to dry while he sees the crafty puppet master prospering playing the part of poor little Bo Peep who never know what the sheep up to.

But no honesty among thieves so what can you expect?

Posted 21 August 2014, 7:39 a.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Een non of them sceard of PGC!! Een nobody in this whole nation respect or fear him for that matter!!! But BD them can sure kiss-up to PC after he tell called them "coup" out in public and warned they backsides that heem know who they is!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Posted 20 August 2014, 2:35 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

Christie got caught trying to defuse Moss from making comments in the house!

Don't be fooled Mr. Moss. Blast his ass on the floor of the house!

Successive governments have totally ignored the needs of the people and the country continues to lose ground on every front because of it.

Who's interest are the PLP and FNM concerned with?

For the love of GOD, the people need representation from SOMEONE in the house.

Posted 20 August 2014, 3:20 p.m. Suggest removal

arussell says...

Where is 2017????????

Posted 20 August 2014, 8:15 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

This is where Pindling and Ingraham knew how to make ppl disappear. In fact Pindling was so dirty at this game he made entire families suffer for generations.. Ingraham sent them out to pasture and gave them an opportunity to return to the fold.(sometimes).

Posted 21 August 2014, 2:50 a.m. Suggest removal

PastorTroy says...

Good Job! Now, where are the others who refuses to "drop their pants and bend over" for the sake of party politics, but have some self respect? Let's start this movement Bahamas, Bahamians SUPPORT THESE MEN AND WOMEN! THEY WILL BE SLAUGHTERED IN THE MEDIA DAILY BY PARTY BANDITS, retiring or voting out at least 50% of politicians in both FNM and PLP including current PM and DPM! New, young leadership with bold 21st century ideas is what we need!

Posted 21 August 2014, 12:36 p.m. Suggest removal

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