NASSAU, BAHAMAS – If there is one thing that any Bahamian student of politics readily should be able to admit about the Honorable Doctor Andre Rollins (FNM-Long Island) is that he is, obviously, a very intelligent; determined and crafty political operative. Like him or hate him, give him his dues.
Doctor Rollins and former MP, the Hon. Renward Wells, burst on the political scene way back in the 1990’s . They started a ‘political’ party and established ‘headquarters’ on Minnie Street. Few sensible Bahamians , including me, paid them any attention.
They were good at garnering publicity and media attention. They had BIG BARKS and cowered the political mainstream. I always saw he and Renard Wells for the political chameleons that they are. In my view, they are both politically toxic. They were able to successfully BLUFF their way into the PLP under Christie’s tenure. I begged him NOT to embrace either of those political Scorpions. He did not listen.
After getting PLP nominations and carte blanche entry into the HOA, Rollins and Wells gave Christie just what I had warned he and the PLP against. Scorpie stung them both, fatally, almost. Now Rollins is creased right up with the FNM in Long Island, which would have been an ideal seat for the Hon. Shannendon Cartwright, the de jure Deputy Leader of the FNM.
Pintard will rue the day that he , et al, embrace a politically toxic Rollins, The next few weeks will reveal much about the way forward for the crumbling FNM. The Hon. Speaker, the Hon. Patricia Deveaux (PLP-Bamboo Town) should prepare herself for frequent challenges to her authority and there will be times when she may have to order his ejection from the chamber. That would be classical Rollins….attempt to lead by disruption. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
