NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis on Monday accused unnamed political rivals in the Killarney constituency of spreading “nasty” and untrue attacks against him as he mounts an independent bid for the seat, warning that such conduct would ultimately be “bad for politics.”
Dr. Minnis, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Killarney, has represented the constituency since its creation in 2007, when it became a stronghold of the Free National Movement. However, Dr Minnis has been denied the FNM’s nomination and has announced plans to contest the seat as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election.
The development has set up one of the most closely watched races in the country.
Battling to become the next Killarney MP are Dr Minnis; the FNM’s ratified candidate, Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis; Progressive Liberal Party candidate Robyn Lynes; and Coalition of Independents candidate Dr. Veronica McIver.
Addressing Parliament, Tuesday afternoon Minnis said the tone of campaigning in the constituency had deteriorated, but insisted that politics itself should not be blamed.
“One of the things we notice, and one individual had said to me that politics has become very dirty and nasty,” Minnis said. “And I responded that politics itself is not dirty nor is it nasty. Individuals with dirty or nasty minds enter politics.”
Minnis said while campaigning in Killarney, some of those running against him had made “very terrible” and “very nasty” statements about him that he described as untrue.
“And I say that is important for me to say because while campaigning within the Killarney constituency, individuals who would be running against me have said very terrible things about me,” he said. “Have said very nasty things about me, and things that are untrue.”
Minnis also sought to distance Prime Minister Philip Davis from the attacks, telling the House he did not believe the remarks were coming directly from him.
“I would only say to the Prime Minister that it’s not him. It’s not him,” Dr Minnis said. “But I would only send a warning to the individuals involved that if you start off now with such nasty ways you will end up even worse, and you will be bad for politics.”
The former prime minister said he stands by what he says publicly on the campaign trail and challenged others to do the same.
“Whatever I say on the campaign trail I can say it publicly because I stand by it and what they said, I ask that they do the same,” Dr Minnis said.
Referencing former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, Minnis added: “When they go low, you go high.”
“And I will continue like an eagle and fly,” he said. “Again, like a phoenix I will rise and like an eagle I will fly.”
