Davis scoffs at PM’s “fake bravado”

Davis scoffs at PM’s “fake bravado”

Minnis dares PLP to move vote of no confidence against him

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis dared the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to move its vote of no confidence against him, noting that the opposition does not have the numbers in Parliament to suceed, PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis said the vote will show which members of Parliament support “the corrupt behaviour of their government and who does not”.

“We see the prime minister and the deputy [prime minister] and their team are puffed up about the numbers — 35 for them; four for us,” Davis said.

“However, this is not about that for the PLP.

“Each FNM will have their vote recorded and we will see who stands for the corrupt behaviour of their government and who does not.

“With the wind of proper ethical conduct against our backs, four will be greater than 35.”

During the PLP’s convention, Davis said the parliamentary caucus will move a vote of no confidence against the prime minster as a result of the government’s handling of the relocation of the General Post Office to Town Centre Mall.

On Monday night, Minnis said he “welcomes” the PLP’s threat to call for a vote of no confidence against him.

Responding to questions from the media, Minnis said the opposition can “bring it on”.

“I hope Davis doesn’t change his mind,” the prime minister said.

“When we return to Parliament, we will give him an opportunity to see how strong the FNM is, how together we are and how we are a team.

“The Bahamian people will make their final determination in 2022 when we will defeat the PLP.

“And on the 15th and the 16th of August the Bahamian people will have an opportunity to hear from the young people who are the leaders and future of this country when the FNM has its youth convention.

“We are on the right track. The economy is growing and in two weeks at the convention you will hear more about ideas and our vision moving forward.”

Speaking to The Nassau GuardianSunday, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest called the vote of no confidence a “waste of time”, and insisted it was a “fool’s errand”.

Yesterday, Davis said the Minnis and Turnquest can be best described as “jokey leaders” — a term made popular by Kirkland “KB” Bodie’s song “We gat some jokey leaders”.

“The prime minister with his clumsy fake bravado dares us to ‘bring it on’ with the no confidence vote,” Davis said.

“His deputy called it a fool’s errand.

“Well, the prime minister should know we will do it when we are good and ready but know that it hangs over his head like the sword of Damocles.

“As for the deputy prime minister, he has plenty of experience with fool’s errands.

“He has been trying to balance the budget since he came to office and after two years, he is still adding two and two together and making it five.

He added, “Finally, to our deputy prime minister who chose to be personal, I remind him of the old saying: It takes a fool to know a fool.”

The resolution to lease the space was passed in Parliament last October.

The Town Centre Mall is owned by former Cabinet minister Brent Symonette and his brother.

He was a member of the Cabinet at the time the resolution was passed, but Minnis said Symonette had no involvement in the agreement.

Symonette subsequently revealed, however, that he had a phone conversation with the prime minister during which they discussed the parameters of the deal.

He maintains Cabinet procedure was followed.

Asked about a conflict Monday night, Minnis said, “There is none.”

“The beauty about the Town Centre Mall is that matter was addressed in Parliament and you can pull all about what we said — the entire discussion, debates, all of it,” he said.

“It was an overt, complete transparent procedure unlike the PLP [and] what they have done in the past, but I won’t talk about that now.”

It was pointed out that Parliament did not address Symonette’s revelation, which was made almost nine months after the resolution to lease the Town Center Mall was passed.

Minnis reiterated the matter was addressed.

“The entire matter was addressed in Parliament in a transparent manner,” he added.