By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE its constitutional rule mandating conventions be held every two years, the Free National Movement will not convene a session until mid-2019.
Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer confirmed this yesterday, adding the approval to put on the party event is controlled by the Central Council.
According to the party's constitution a convention "shall be held at least once in every two years at such time and place as the Central Council shall appoint".
The last convention was in July 2016.
Asked if there was any particular reason why the party was waiting until 2019, in contravention of its constitution, Mr Culmer said: "Where are we not adhering to it? You say we aren't adhering, I disagree with you.
"But the council has the ultimate power outside the convention and they can say whether we have a convention or not and give a reason to the council why or why not or why bring it forth.
"The council felt that next year would be a better year."
At such time, he said all posts from the leader to the chaplain will be up for challenge, adding: "The FNM don't hide nothing, everything is out in the open. When we have a convention every position that supposed to be voted on will be available."
At the end of the FNM's three-day convention in July 2016, then-Opposition leader now Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis survived the second attempt in two years to thwart his leadership.
He emerged successful after former MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Dr Duane Sands withdrew from the leadership race early ahead of the ballot count, citing failures in the delegate selection process and other perceived slights.
Dr Minnis delivered a sometimes self-deprecating speech in which he said he has offered significant concessions to Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands.
"Tonight we offer the olive branch once again to our sister Loretta Butler Tuner, who I'm certain will be our candidate in Long Island with my full support," Dr Minnis said at the time.
"We have undergone a lot over the last few years," he added. "Our internal politics have been made bare for all the world to see and it's not been pretty, but through it all we have maintained our integrity and focused on the points that unite us."
Dr Minnis's words to Mrs Butler-Turner drew a fair, if tepid response from the crowd.
Regarding Dr Sands, he said: "My medical colleague and political colleague, we work close together in the hospital and I must say that on many occasions when I ran into surgical difficulties in areas that are outside my domain, Sands was there for me.
Dr Minnis continued: "Each of these worthy leaders are qualified and possess the experience to rescue this nation and to contribute mightily to its future success. It is our hope that they will accept our offer to continue being a valuable part of this leadership team. We have made significant offers to both to demonstrate our commitment to them and we earnestly hope they accept."
In December, less than five months after the convention, Mrs Butler Turner and six other Members of Parliament submitted a letter of no confidence in Dr Minnis, adding they voted to be led by the former Long Island MP.
These attempts proved unsuccessful to keep Dr Minnis from elevation to prime minister of the country in the May 2017 general election.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 7 months ago
This administration has turned out to be one strange contradiction on transparency and adherence to proper procedure
TheMadHatter 5 years, 7 months ago
Those who make the rules, can break the rules. That has been the case since the beginning of time.
That said, I agree with their desire to postpone the vote. There are quite a few pots on the fire right now and none have yet come to a boil. However, I think by mid next year (they should at least set a tentative date now) - people will have a much better idea of how the economy in Freeport is doing, how we are doing on paying down international debt, how the power company is coming along - esp. the new LNG stuff, infrastructure improvements, hospital AC working well, VAT settled in and to what final affect, where the VAT money gone beside being lumped in with all the other unknown money, and of course the Haitian situation.
If on top of all that, they could FINALLY incorporate into their Constitution all the changes made by prior Conventions so that members can actually read the Party's Constitution in full, that would be truly awesome and I believe the good doctor would emerge victorious.
joeblow 5 years, 7 months ago
MInnis running scared! He is incompetence personified!
licks2 5 years, 7 months ago
How this get public concern? THE FNM PARTY DON'T RUN THIS COUNTRY! If they fighting in their party and doing skulduggery inside their "RED HOUSE". . . how that get my business. If that's how we will "stick we noses" in people private business. . .lets talk about some of the crap the news papers are doing. . . ya could tell what the conclusion of a piece just by looking the writer's name. . .for or against a party or person's name!! Yall better don't waste time checking out other peoples' private affairs. . .that road all ways lead back to ya own private business getting checked out!! If the FNM decides as a body to don't have a convention. . .WHO GIVES A DANG. . .BESIDE YINNA POLITICAL LEECHES. . .
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