Amidst numerous calls for debate among the country’s political leaders, Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie said if it is left up to him, his leader Dr. Hubert Minnis, would not engage in such a debate.
Mr. Collie’s statement comes in response to Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts’ request to have Dr. Minnis go head to head in such a forum.
Prime Minister Perry Christie has previously suggested that he would accept the idea of debate among such leaders.
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney has gone on record saying that he is prepared for that challenge.
Meanwhile, Dr. Minnis has been silent on the issue.
“If I have it my way, my leader would not be debating Perry Christie or anybody else. There’s nothing to be gained,” Mr. Collie charged.
“The world knows that Perry Christie and the PLP do not have a record to run on, so we don’t have anything to debate them on,” Mr. Collie insisted.
“We are going to spend our time putting forward our change agenda. We are not going to be delving into the weeds of Perry Christie rhetoric, because that’s all he will do. Tell Mr. Roberts and Mr. Christie and tell the Bahamian people to give us a list of the things the PLP has done in five years that’s worth their time in government,” he said.
“My leader will speak for himself; but if I have it my way, there will be no debate,” Mr. Collie said.
Some individuals have said that Dr. Minnis would refuse to take up the challenge simply because he is “incapable”.
The FNM leader has been criticized for being “incompetent” and “unable to articulate” as a leader not only by the PLP, but by members within his party.
Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis a few weeks ago in Parliament said that Dr. Minnis was unable to comprehend the level of debate and content that is required in the House of Assembly.
In 2015, Prime Minister Christie invited the various leaders to challenge him in a public debate.
However, the DNA leader was the only respondent.
Mr. McCartney formally accepted the call to prove who the best leadership candidate was.
At the time, Mr. McCartney not only accepted the proposal, but he said the DNA would also be willing to sponsor the debate.
