The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler Turner yesterday said gender should not be considered in the debate regarding who will emerge as leader of the country following the next general election.

Speaking on “Let’s Talk Live” on Guardian talk radio yesterday, Mrs Butler-Turned said Bahamians were more focused on a capable candidate as opposed to their gender as the electorate becomes less politically tied.

She said: “Some people will say never (to female leadership). I have heard that. I think that we should move gender from the equation. I think that what the Bahamian people want now is not this nuanced paradigm shift that people talk about (or) a new direction and all of that. I think what people are looking for is the best and the most capable. Those that are going to move away from the politics.

“Bahamians are becoming less and less tied to political organisations because of the many promises and expectations they have been led to believe by politicians. That is so passe in my opinion. I hear it from young voters, I hear it from middle aged voters, I hear it from many, many people. They want a country that is going to be less polarised politically. They want a country where people are valued for who they are and opposed to who they know.

“You hear me talking many times about the cronyism and the nepotism of friends, family and lovers. We have a huge cadre of young professionals that cannot get a break in this country because they are not connected to whomever and that needs to be eradicated.”

While she admitted that there has been a slight shift to gradually allow more women on the forefront lines of society, Mrs Butler-Turner said a better effort must be be made to allow The Bahamas to transition away from traditional patriarchy.

“We have got to move away from the stereotypical patriarchal society. We have got to stop letting people put us into a niche where they define us. I personally have never allowed people to define who I am. I am going to define who I am. Not everyone is going to like me, not everybody is going to love me, but I accept who I am and those who I know will respect me for who I am as well,” she said.