The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

With much acclaim and fanfare, Dr Hubert Minnis welcomed Renward Wells and Andre Rollins into the “Big Tent” of the Free National Movement.

The FNM has a big tent. “Say what? A big tent, you say, really?”

Isn’t it strange that the welcome mat was enthusiastically extended for two former incendiary adversaries but that some party faithfuls view parliamentarian Loretta Butler-Turner as a troublemaker for aspiring to lead this great organisation?

Parliament is but a stage and parliamentarians de facto thespians. If Parliament is the apex of politics, then politicians must demonstrate appropriate decorum and endeavour to master the art of elocution with flair and persuasion therein.

For the purpose of this exercise, I am only rating the official opposition from May 2012. Further, Edison Key is not on my run and will be excluded from this invigilation.

During the 2014 November one-day convention, I was all the way with Dr Minnis and was ecstatic at his landslide victory. In fact it is I, who coined the phrase “ROC with DOC’! During the last 12 months much has transpired. I have been around long enough to know that politics it is not static. Consequently, after months of intense introspection, I have concluded that too many issues remain unsettled.

Although he has improved, in my view, the Leader of the Official Opposition’s performance has not been spectacular. In fact, four of his colleagues are better presenters than he and the other two equal to him. Loretta Butler-Turner is without question, the most impressive presenter of the group. She has indeed, paid her dues and has every right to vie for leadership. The FNM has a deep bench; surely we can muster more than one individual for leadership consideration!

We cannot allow a minority of zealots to bludgeon the majority to their liking. That is the Progressive Liberal Party style. In my opinion, I think that we should hold a full convention in early 2016 to exorcise our party of all enmity. A Convention is in order and essential to the FNM’s 2017 victory trajectory!

At the Convention, I propose that Dr Duane Sands, Dr Hubert Minnis, Loretta Butler-Turner and K Peter Turnquest (in no particular order) contest the leadership position.

Dr Sands in doing an impressive job outside of Parliament; one must give Dr Minnis credit for holding the “rickety” FNM ship together after the 2012 “slaughter” at the polls. He is deserving of consideration; during this year, Loretta has exemplified stellar leadership qualities; Peter is undoubtedly a new generation leader.

They all possess the gravitas to be Leader of the Great Free National Movement. Whoever, emerges as the Leader at the 2016 Convention, I will fgive my full support! No more mumble, no more grumble; if we want to win, FNMs, it’s time to “rumble”!

I am exceedingly disappointed by the gratuitous vitriol directed at Dr Minnis. It is nasty! Dr Minnis is a decent man; he does not deserve such offensive assaults and insults. Please stop it! Understandably, his supporters are incensed and retaliating.

So, we have a perfect storm. The PLP is in a massive freefall to almost certain defeat,and the FNM, by cannibalising itself, is handing them a “parachute” for a soft landing. How can we be so “stupid”?

FNMs, let us declare armistice now and stop giving the pernicious PLP a “free” pass. We are well aware that this administration is the most decadent and despised political party in the history of Bahamian politics. However, don’t be so naïve as to believe that because the PLP is so scandalous and sorry that we can win by default. It isn’t going to happen that way. Default t’aint anybody’s friend.

A wounded animal is a dangerous animal. Come 2017, the PLP is going to be in beast mode with an enormous “war chest” as incentive. Should we continue our infantile infighting, the PLP may be the party to win by “default”.

BRADLEY ARMBRISTER

Vice Chairman, FNM Marco City Constituency Association

Grand Bahama

December 11, 2015