By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

IN HER first public statement since resigning as a Free National Movement Senator 10 days ago, Lanisha Rolle yesterday urged her peers to condemn “unethical and factually unlawful” behaviour in the pursuit of political leadership.

Mrs Rolle stressed the need for conduct with a high level of integrity and maturity in her appeal for disenfranchised colleagues and leaders to embrace change and accept that it is a transitional process.

She said she was still committed in her quest to serve the country.

“Our leaders must not resist change or merely demonstrate an appearance of change, but it is incumbent upon them to embrace change wholeheartedly to obtain the confidence of the masses,” her statement said. “Significantly, however, while many among my generation and those after me, may feel disenfranchised by the political system of yesteryear, all must recognise that change involves a transitional process.

“Therefore, we must at all times conduct ourselves with a high level of integrity and maturity in pursuit of our endeavour to lead others. Conduct that is considered unethical and factually unlawful is by no means the answer to true political success, and such behaviour should never be tolerated or accepted as the norm in a civil society.”

Mrs Rolle’s statement, entitled “The Need for Political Maturity rather than Political Mischief”, comes on the heels of her unceremonious departure from the Upper House amid controversy over leaked secret recordings of a conversation she had with political hopeful Lincoln Bain.

Mr Bain admitted to secretly recording the former Senator; however, he maintained that his actions were solely to protect himself from possible sabotage.

He said the recordings only “came into play” to prove to party executives that the private meeting had taken place, and denied leaking the audio. He said he did not regard recording Mrs Rolle without her knowledge as unethical or deceitful in any way.

In the recording, Mrs Rolle reportedly spoke at length and disparagingly about the political future of several members of the FNM party with whom she was dissatisfied.

During the conversation, she allegedly informed Mr Bain that the party would not nominate him to run as MP in the Pinewood Gardens constituency in next year’s general elections. She further claimed that the ratification of incumbent FNM MPs had been purposely delayed.

In her resignation on May 13, Mrs Rolle cited a “need to focus on a few personal matters”.

Yesterday, Mrs Rolle explained that she had “girded” herself with political maturity, and as such, she was fully aware that her appointed post had a “high probability of a shorter shelf life” than that of MPs. She thanked the Bahamian people and party members for entrusting her with the “noble task”; particularly FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, whom she said demonstrated the “political will and fortitude representative of 21st century leaders”.

Mrs Rolle further emphasised that the global political directorate is faced with a fervent demand for change, adding that the Bahamas was no different. She forecast that the country was at a pivotal crossroad, and based on its needs would vote for a party that represented a united collective and exhibited true potential to meet individual needs.

“There is no doubt that the Bahamian people are discontented with the present state of affairs,” the statement continued, “but Bahamians must recognise that only they have the power to bring the needed change to Parliament.

“I have served within the public service, the judicial sector and most recently, the legislature. For the experiences I have gained, I am indeed grateful.

“My entry to the political arena was influenced by a biblical proverb translated by one Edmund Burke, who said, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing”.  

“My name is Lanisha Rolle, and I am here to do something, for the good of the Bahamian people.”