Senator Hall-Watson says McAlpine shamed himself

Senator Hall-Watson says McAlpine shamed himself

FNM Senator calls on MP to “be a man”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Dr. Mildred Hall-Watson tore into Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine yesterday over his criticisms of the Minnis administration over a week ago, saying that the outspoken MP embarrassed himself, and voters will ultimately decide his fate.

“Not only did he shame himself, but unwittingly shamed many who remain pastors in their pulpit and made the effort to share and spread the teaching of love as taught by Christ,” she said during the budget debate.

“Differences and opinions should not be unexpected.

“Debate should be vigorous, but always respectful — not jiving and rhyming.

“Be a man and step away if you totally disagree with the entire governing party’s policies.

“Your attempt to embarrass the government did not work.”

The comment was met with banging on the table by members of the governing side.

Hall-Watson continued, “You simply isolated yourself and deceived the residents of Pineridge, who elected you with FNM votes, and embarrassed yourself.

“Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives once said diversity is your strength, but unity is your power.

“We will not allow our power to be diluted by others for their own personal ambitions. It is the people’s time and in time the people of Pineridge will deal with it.”

As he slammed the government during his contribution to the budget debate, McAlpine said unfortunately the region, facetiously refers to the Minnis administration as the “stew fish government”.

He said it was disheartening that preceding the general election many government MPs in the House of Assembly sounded much like the voters who put them in office.

However, he said after being given a chance to make more money than they had before in many cases, “some seemingly have lost the people’s touch, taste, look and feel in my opinion, and many others”.

McAlpine also clashed with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest, insisting that the government did not have the decency to forewarn taxpayers about the government’s plans to increase value-added tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.

The VAT hike took effect July 1, 2018.

McAlpine voted against the measure.

The MP clashed with several other Cabinet ministers, including Minister of Works Desmond Bannister.

He added that despite being victimized by his party and excluded from FNM meetings in Grand Bahama, he came to the House of Assembly to speak to the people.

Yesterday, Hall-Watson said each parliamentarian is responsible for their behavior, attitude and comments.

“The major tenant of this individual’s profession is to teach love to one another,” she said.

“Instead, comments were made in a negative manner about skin color; name recognition as a negative; and that truly is unfortunate.”

 

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.