Gray: I warned Minnis over deputy challenge

As of Wednesday, June 4, 2014

By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party MP V Alfred Gray said he warned opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis a long time ago that he had colleagues within his party coming after his post as leader.

Mr Gray said when he heard that FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner suggested that she might consider running for the top post he was “not surprised in the slightest”.

“He (Dr Minnis) might have been the only one who didn’t feel it. I felt it, I saw it, I knew it and I just wish him well,” Mr Gray said. “I’m never surprised about anything coming out of the FNM. It’s not my business to get in their politics. But I’m not surprised and I warned Dr Minnis that the undercurrent was there.”

Last year, during a debate in the House of Assembly, Mr Gray told Dr Minnis that rather than ridiculing the leadership of Perry Christie he should focus on securing his legacy as leader of the FNM, saying that there are people on “that side” with political daggers waiting to stab him in the back.

The Tribune reported yesterday that the FNM deputy is weighing her options in contemplating whether she should run for the top spot in the FNM when the party’s convention comes around.

“I have not made any decisions regarding it, but a lot of people have asked me about it so in that regard I would certainly give it consideration,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“Like anybody else, I think we all evaluate if we can do more and if we can do something different and I think the only other post for me would then be a consideration of if I would challenge for leader.

“While I haven’t made that decision, certainly I would not rule it out at this time.”

According to Mr Gray, the FNM deputy always wanted to be the leader, saying “I don’t think she hid that from anybody. Then again, I don’t think she expressed it to many people. But her behaviour seemed to always seek to show up the present leader, in terms of what she’s saying and what she does. If Dr Minnis didn’t see that, then I’d be very surprised.”

Mr Gray went as far as to say that it seems as though former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham wants to get back into politics based on his presence at the FNM fair on Saturday.

“That suggests that he has not gone anywhere,” he said. “I suggest if Mr Ingraham doesn’t want Dr Minnis in there, he will work hard putting him out.”

The FNM has not announced when the party will hold its next convention.

However, it is more than likely that the leadership will be contested.

Earlier this year, the party’s Deputy Chairman Dr Duane Sands said that he was also considering running for leader.

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago

*I don’t think she hid that from anybody. Then again, I don’t think she expressed it to many people. But her behaviour seemed to always seek to show up the present leader, in terms of what she’s saying and what she does. If Dr Minnis didn’t see that, then I’d be very surprised.” *

You're not surprised and no one on the Bahamas is surprised. Have you warned PGC about Brave, Fred and BJ?

B_I_D___ 10 years, 6 months ago

I would much rather have a political party, whichever party it is, have multiple candidates for the parties leadership...that's why you have conventions and present your candidates to your followers, let them decide who is beat to lead the party of their choice. Now...if that party gets elected to power, I would want all the party members full support for the duly elected leader during their tenure. But if you are regrouping and strategizing as an 'opposition', sure, throw your hat in the ring and shake the party up a bit, you may be surprised at how it all turns out.

sheeprunner12 10 years, 6 months ago

V Alfred Gray is not worthy of giving anyone (political) advice .................... he is a sleezeball

TalRussell 10 years, 6 months ago

Comrades I don't know who will end up as the new or reincarnated leader of the red shirts. Win or lose, I feel I have a pretty damn good idea which leadership contender is my safest bet having already been in pre-fight'in training, provides me with the the best wagering returns on who lands the most blows

GrassRoot 10 years, 6 months ago

Legacy is the most used word in Bahamian politics. Legacy is a side product not a goal of a political career. Whoever is in politics to create his own Legacy, is a suck up in the first place, either vis a vis his constituency, his colleagues, the oppositions, investors, and any critter that is crawling on the face of this planet. Just keep your mouths shut and y'all go back to work.

killemwitdakno 10 years, 6 months ago

It's simply throwing a name in a hat , what's the big deal.

Sickened 10 years, 6 months ago

Every decent political party always has many people who are capable of leading the party and who are inclined to throw their hat in the ring. Minnis is certainly not surprised and i'm sure, more than happy to have Loretta step up. Minnis is a good man and I think better suited for the number two spot. Loretta is well suited to run the party and the country. I may even consider voting for the FNM if she is victorious. PLP on the other hand I don't think can win the next election even if Obama was leading the party; they have too many shady characters still in the party.

Emac 10 years, 6 months ago

Even if Obama leads the party in the next election they can't win. KML...I like that one!

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 6 months ago

well suited to run the party and the country

On what grounds though? Because she doesn't back down from a fight?

Let's have a series of national debates with real substantive questions asked so we can see who these people REALLY are. No more, I voting for you because you're so-and-so child, or you're a lawyer or you look really professional in a suit or I like you or you could really tell good jokes on the campaign trail. NO MORE. We need leaders, not puffed up airbags.

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