Lanisha Rolle: The Need for Political Maturity rather than Political Mischief
As with all Opposition Senate appointments, Opposition Senators serve under the Constitution of The Bahamas at the pleasure of the Governor General on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition for an appointed period.
Having girded myself with political maturity from the offset of my tenure, I at all times knew as do all Parliamentarians that my service as a Senator was for an appointed period which in cases of Senate Appointments carry the high probability of a shorter shell-life than those who sit in the Honorable House of Assembly under the protection of the electorate.
That being said, I am indeed grateful for the opportunity to have served the Bahamian people, and on that note, thank them and the Officers and Members of the Free National Movement for entrusting me with a most noble task. Particularly, I wish to thank the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis for demonstrating the political will and fortitude representative of 21st Century Leaders.
It is a well-known fact that the global political directorate is faced with a fervent demand for change. The electorate of societies are demanding change in political faces, cultures and practices, and the Bahamas is no different. We as a country and people endeavoring to make an indelible mark in the global arena, must reflect the ability to adapt to change. Hence, our leaders must not resist change, or merely demonstrate an appearance of change, but it is incumbent upon them to embrace change wholeheartedly to obtain the confidence of the masses. Significantly, however, while many among my generation and those after me, may feel disenfranchised by the political system of yesteryear, all must recognize that change involves a transitional process: Therefore, we must at all times conduct ourselves with a high level of integrity and maturity in pursuit of our endeavor to lead others. Conduct that is considered unethical and factually unlawful is by no means the answer to true political success, and such behavior should never be tolerated or accepted as the norm in a civil society.
There is no doubt that the Bahamian people are discontented with the present state of affairs, but Bahamians must recognize that only they have the power to bring the needed change to Parliament. Hence, having listened to the cry of my people from the least to the greatest, I recognize that our country is at a pivotal crossroad, the youth requires opportunities, the poor needs work, the middle class calls for fairness, and the rich and wealthy demand quality leadership. Based on these needs, I am of the opinion that during this upcoming election, people will vote for the party that represents a united collective exhibiting the true potential to meet their individual needs.
I wish to assure the Bahamian people that notwithstanding my departure from the Upper Chamber of Parliament, I remain steadfast and committed in my quest to serve my country and my Bahamian brothers and sisters. I have served within the public service, the judicial sector and most recently, the legislature. For the experiences I have gained, I am indeed grateful. My entry to the political arena was influenced by a biblical proverb translated by one Edmond Burke who said, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.”
My name is Lanisha Rolle, and I am here to do something, for the good of the Bahamian people.
