Loretta Butler-Turner in the House of Assembly.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Free National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday broke her silence to reveal that she is open to running again for leader of the party – and Prime Minister of the Bahamas by extension – “if the opportunity presented itself”.
Mrs Butler-Turner acknowledged that while she currently is not contemplating running for party leader, telling The Tribune she would “certainly have it under consideration” given the right circumstances. That, she said, depends on just how much people demonstrate their desire to have her as Prime Minister and how “serious” they are about it.
It would also mean again challenging incumbent leader Dr Hubert Minnis whenever the FNM holds its next convention, an attempt that was unsuccessful at the party’s last convention.
Mrs Butler-Turner’s comments came in response to questions surrounding the formation of a community page on Facebook campaigning for her to be the nation’s first female Prime Minister, entitled: ‘It’s Time’.
The page, with portraits of Mrs Butler-Turner in the FNM’s party colours emblazoned across the top, is dedicated to Mrs Butler-Turner becoming Prime Minister and the significance of a female leader.
Although it is unclear when the page was formed, the description said it was started by “Bahamians who are proud to have a female in charge of their party and country”. It says it is not authorised by Mrs Butler-Turner but by her supporters, colleagues and friends who feel it’s time.
A total of 1,609 people and/or entities on Facebook had liked the page up to last night.
“I am totally flattered that there are people out there that truly believe that I have the capacity to represent them,” Mrs Butler-Turner said when questioned yesterday.
“I’m not running for (leader) obviously because I did that last year. I don’t know that our party … obviously if it presented itself I would certainly have it under consideration, but to be quite honest with you, I am just amazed that private sector groups are driven to support me in that way.
“Any politician who would have someone or group of people behind them like that would be ecstatic, and I am,” she added. “Unfortunately I don’t see a path to it, but hey, that reminds me of the number of people that helped the success that I had after the hurricane relief. It’s amazing. People obviously see something in me and I’m very grateful for it.”
When prodded for a more definitive answer, the Long Island MP said: “These people have started this movement, and who am I to tell them to stop it. And if I see enough of them and they’re that serious about it, it certainly gives me reason to pause and reason to think.”
Yesterday, one post had supported Mrs Butler-Turner as Prime Minister by saying: “Yes … it’s time! And she is the ideal candidate to do so … I’m not political but if she led the opposition, I would actually go register to vote. For so long I’ve been jaded, but I like how she actually gets out there and helps her people … And she don’t take no mess! Yea Bahama, let’s get into the 21st century!”
Another said: “You better believe it’s time, and this time the change will come and it will be (Mrs Butler-Turner).”
When asked if she knew who was behind the page, Mrs Butler-Turner said: “I have my thoughts on who it is, but to say definitively I don’t know. It certainly looks like persons who understand public relations. But who knows.
“I don’t know if it says friends of Loretta Butler-Turner or community - I don’t remember what it says. But I think it speaks to people’s democratic rights to push their views and their thoughts.”
Mrs Butler-Turner suffered a landslide loss to Dr Minnis at the party’s convention last November and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest was subsequently elected as the party’s new deputy leader.
In October, FNM Chairman Michael Pintard said that Dr Minnis would like to have a full convention ahead of the next general election, but on his own terms. However, there has been no official statement from Dr Minnis as to when such a convention would take place.
Comments
jackbnimble 8 years, 5 months ago
Unfortunately for LB-T, one cannot secure party leadership based on public votes, desire or opinion. It's based on FNM party members voting you in during Convention. I understand the good Doc has that aspect of the voting locked down.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 5 months ago
Excellent response LBT.
We do want you for PM and we think you would make an excellent PM.
Instead it appears we're going to get another 5 years of the PLP.....
Minnis just does not have it.
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
It's proves the adage that it ain't over until the fat lady sings. The fat lady is singing like a canary now. The trouble is that she ain't got what it takes to run a country. Her biggest asset (make your own jokes) is her big mouth. We already got one of those in Perry Christie. We need someone who knows finance, statesmanship, who is educated, and enlightened.
Someone who can't control themselves to put the fork down, especially when they have money or are better off economically than most people, doesn't have the personal discipline required for leadership -- among the other qualities mentioned as well.
Abaconian 8 years, 5 months ago
Please inform me which of the other leaders, or potential leaders, fit that description? Don't mind her politically unpolished and somewhat bullish persona - she is an educated and determined woman. I'm not saying she is without flaws, but I would rather see her lead the party than Minnis any day.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago
LBT will go the same way as her grand Pappy Milo ............. she will be memorialized as a great patriot and may even get knighted but FNM party leadership may be a fleeting chance that may elude her ......................... Milo was a great one man band who took on the Bay Street Boys just like LBT
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Loretta does you feel likes you’re going through your personal long held, hardly a secret, quest become red party leader and you have do it in some kinds pretend be top secret bubble – that you don’t have but a few, f any, red colleagues to advise you?
Not a single notable red colleague has publicly come out in support of Loretta, at least not one that red party convention voters will pay attention to? I find that strangely telling, don't you?
Smart politics should see the 4 to1 reds that done voted against Loretta as a viable red candidate as a future PM, that she lacks any tangible support? How does it feel that when Loretta is left found saying herself, “I wish I had red colleagues with whom I can talk through this - so I can just come right out and say's - hand me the red party's leadership mantel.
C’mon woman’s of da red kinds – Loretta needs hears from woman’s who express these exact woman’s sentiments – tis that time for a woman’s red party prime minister. Unfortunately, the red party's convention voters more than the PLP, stand between her and the 2017 PM's job.
Just goes to prove it don't count for much voter support - despite having both of the two daily newspapers in your leadership corner.
Good for Minnis that the poor man can't even get a single positive Good morning mention from either the two dailies.
TruePeople 8 years, 5 months ago
I would welcome a change... but i don't think there would actually be one ....
birdiestrachan 8 years, 5 months ago
Banker "We need some one who knows finance, statesmanship educated and enlightened" Are you saying that person is Dr: Minnis?. I do not know I am only asking. two daily newspapers says she is the one. you seem to disagree.
GrassRoot 8 years, 5 months ago
Birdie, the point is she has all she needs: she scares the s##t out of the PLP and will - for the better of all - bring the PLP to reason to come up with an alternative that is an alternative to LBT. To have LBT on the other side, will help the PLP to get its house in order without a PGC. Talking about the other talents a PM should have is walking on thin ice.
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
The only thing that I know for sure, is that Perry Gladstone Christie is no leader and perhaps more destructive to that Bahamas than Pindling was. LBT is in the same class as Bran of the DNA -- good at politics, short of the stuff of true leadership. Minnis is worst of the evils out there. He got rich from business. Someone who knows business is what this country needs. Also wondering why the "two" voices of the PLP both touting the flawed concept of two newspapers throwing their weight behind LBT -- saw no real empirical evidence of that. Either the person behind the two nom-de-plumes is the same, or both are following directions from their political PLP commissars as to what to post on the internet.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago
Has LBT the gravitas to be able to relaunch her bid for leadership in the FNM after the last convention?????? Will the FNM delegates list be any different at the next convention???? Should she ust launch her own party with the support of all of the anti FNM and PLP splinter groups out there ............... if she feels so strongly about her chances to be a national leader???????
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 5 months ago
FB likes is the worst thing you can look at to gauge real support. It's too easy to click a button
Regardless 8 years, 5 months ago
Wow! Hubert really did Long Island a disservice sending this cow to represent them. Her only interest is being elected PM. She obviously does not remember how badly she lost the last time she challenged the leadership of the FNM. Long Island is still reeling from the hurricane and she is planning another leadership campaign which will shift her focus to national campaigning. Not that she really focuses on Long Island anyhow save cookouts and weekends on the beach, whale watching at Cape Santa Maria,
sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago
Soooooooooo, what is the difference between LBT & her relationship with Long Island and SLOP and South Andros, HAI & North Abaco or Perry and Centreville??? .......... who would you rate as having personal leadership aspirations while checking for the betterment of his/her constituents???? .................. why do you want to go there??????? The precedent has been set long time ago.
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
LBT is the Donald Trump of Bahamian politricks.
Emac 8 years, 5 months ago
Boy these some chauvinistic views here now...Wow. I don't know what the woman size gatta do with her ability to lead. Although one might argue that her size portrays her lack of discipline in the dietary field or whatever. But one must remember that her weight is hereditary. I ain never hear no one call Sir Milo fat or over weight or anything derogatory. Many people described him as a "man of stature".
pablojay 8 years, 5 months ago
Sheeprunner 12, in reply to your , of all of the individuals that you mentioned, Hubert Ingraham is the only one whose constituency enjoyed significant improvement. By the way, i was born in Grant's Town, my father was from Andros and my maternal grandfather was from Long Island
Greentea 8 years, 5 months ago
I am told loretta lost 65 pounds recently and is still going. When the weight issue is no more- what will the critics say then?
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
They will say that she doesn't have the mental acuity, the knowledge base, the education and the statesmanship qualities to lead?
SP 8 years, 5 months ago
BLT failed as Minister of social services and would make Perry Christie look like a genius
This woman is a proven failure. Why she thinks we will forget she failed is a mystery.
Lets not forget BLT as Minister was also adamant that Bahamians were "an unemployable drug and alcohol addicted people unfit for employment" as justification for the little emperors Foreign National Movement agenda to employ foreigners for every jesus thing from maids to bank employees.
Just because she is female is no criteria for Prime Minister. BLT as Prime Minister will never happen!
licks2 8 years, 5 months ago
She seem to have the support of the "old guard" FNM who want "their" party for themselves and they friends, families and lovers. . .and not really for the peoples! She lack political smartness and is too rash and old school poli-tricks!!
She does have the support of the "news" giants. . .including Candia Dames!! The public has been whispering that CD is trying to convince us the public that the good doc is a political ninny! Then we hear the good doc. . .hear his ideas and see how he don't let people push him around to do foolishness like playing "trick" politics. She comes across as a cry-baby, naive, impulsive and have a big mouth!!
She just "dumcy" when it comes to being a credible leader IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC. . .WHERE DR. MINNIS IS WHOPPING SHE BUTT IN THE OPINION POLLS!
It also appears that she has the support of the "white" FNMs who just happens to be the owner of them there two daily news papers!! We suspect that they will give her as much money as she wants and "een ger gee the good doc none"! We are not fools. . .we can "see"!!
The other night she "put herself in a position" where she been "creas-right-up" with Candia Dames and them bunch of white folks. . ."yucking-up" we question as to why them buncha white folks don't want the good doc and will support LBT? And if she so strong, why when them people at the school tell her not to come out of her car. . .at a government school. . .and she stayed in the car. . .as a member of government ( HM opposition).
WELL THE GROWING SUSPECION IN THE ROAD IS THAT THEM "MONIED" WHITE PEOPLE CAN'T CONTROL THE DOC, BUT CAN CONTROL LBT BECAUSE SHE "LITE". . .AND HAVING HER IN CHARGE THEY REMAIN IN POWER!!!
I EEN DECIDE ON WHO I WILL VOTE FOR YET. . .BUT I CAN SAY WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF "SURENESS". . .IT WILL NOT BE LBT. . .SHE IS NOT READY. . .AND DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PM!!! She seem not to be a friend of the poor or middle class. . .THATS NOT WHAT MILO B STOOD FOR!
She is publicly losing badly to the good doc. . . as we out here suspect that she will run as a PLP/DNA/UDP in the next election. . .because she will be neutralized by the good doc in their next convention!! Then the white people will financially support the good doc. . .she will become history!! They have to support the doc or spend another five years under the PLP!
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