FNM Torchbearers backing Pintard to lead

As of Monday, November 22, 2021

MARCO City MP Michael Pintard. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement’s youth arm, the Torchbearers Youth Association, has endorsed Marco City MP Michael Pintard for leader of the FNM.

Carlyle Bethel, president of the association, said in a press statement yesterday that Mr Pintard enjoys large support from young people throughout the country.

“At the beginning of this leadership race,” he said, “the Torchbearers Youth Association made a commitment to approach the leadership question with maturity and understanding. We raised the concerns of young people throughout The Bahamas. We gave all candidates a fair opportunity to present their vision, plans and solutions.

“All candidates have run very strong campaigns. They’ve all dedicated themselves to the Free National Movement and to public service, and we thank them for that.

“After a majority vote, the consensus of the Torchbearers Youth Association is that we will support Michael Pintard for Leader of the FNM.

“Michael Pintard enjoys large support amongst young people throughout The Bahamas. He has committed to fighting for the inclusion of young people at all levels in the party and in government.

“We are confident that he will fully embrace the advancement of young people as we move our party forward together.”

The FNM will host its one-day leadership race on Saturday. In addition to Mr Pintard, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson are vying for the top post.

Last week, FNM members Maurice Moore and Lady Naomi Wallace Whitfield signed Mr Thompson’s nomination form. Former Attorney General Carl Bethel and former Golden Gates MP Michael Foulkes were also present to support Mr Thompson.

As for Mr Pintard, former parliamentarians Don Saunders, Miriam Emmanuel and Travis Robinson supported him as he was nominated for the post.

The decision of the Torchbearers Association to endorse Mr Pintard does not come as a surprise, with many young members of the party convinced he can best unite the party and energise young people.

One member, who chose to speak anonymously to discuss internal party members, said: “Michael Pintard represents the best choice for leader of the FNM at this particular time. Neither of the other two candidates excite the base or are able to deliver the type of change Bahamians have grown to expect from the FNM. The other two leaders, their hearts may be in the right place but I think the tide is definitely shifting toward Mr Pintard.”

birdiestrachan 3 years, 1 month ago

The FNM part does not attract the Bahamas finest. The example of doc and the FNM papa is not a good example of a good leader.

moncurcool 3 years, 1 month ago

Go get a life!

Your problem is Pintard frightens you as he is way more attractive to the voters that dead Davis and is a better leader than him.

He has a track record of accomplishments which is key for any leader, unlike Davis.

Name one thing from a leadership basis Davis has ever done ( and using Knowles money doesn't count)

sheeprunner12 3 years, 1 month ago

Like everything else in this country, young ppl aka millennials don't really have much say in high stakes decision-making in political parties or any other "adult" organizations in this country ..... Let's see if this endorsement means something in the FNM.

John 3 years, 1 month ago

Anything but Minnis. Yes anything. Saying that to say many believed that Minnis was doing an incredibly great job before the pandemic, considering the circumstances. Then when the pandemic hit many thought he was doing a great job keeping The Bahamas and Bahamians and residents and visitors safe. Then the vaccines come and both Minnis and Duane Sands list all sense of direction (an eventually a lot of credibility). It was ALL about the vaccines. Minnis was all but demanding people take them. And Duane Sands was saying, not in the same words, ‘if you don’t take the vaccine, you will die and you are killing the country with you when you get sick and overwhelmed the health system.’ Then Minnis came in the height of the pandemic, the Delta wave and called an election. Tough decisions have to be made he said , ‘and we, the FNM, need a new mandate to make those decisions.’ The people panicked! ‘Think Minnis ger force us to take the vaccines? Some thought, but not far fetched either. ‘And what he gonna do wit we if we refuse to take da vaccine?’ ‘Chile I gone to the island right nah’. And Austria tried locking down only its unvaccinated population as a means of forcing more people to get vaccinated. And the plan backfired and the cases amongst the vaccinated skyrocketed during their current fourth wave. And as of yesterday, the whole , entire country is on full and total lockdown. And in August, Minnis went in a campaign trail throughout the Bahamas and Davis also, with a band of vaccinated campaigners. And the new case and deaths from Covid is clear proof of the effects of this activity. Well besides Minnis no longer being PM and the FNM no longer being tge government.