By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash says he plans to put questions to the FNM’s central council regarding a convention where all positions, including leader and deputy will be contested.
According to the party’s constitution, Mr Cash said, a convention should be held every two years following deliberation by the central council. The last general assembly of FNMs was in May 2012, when Dr Hubert Minnis and Mrs Loretta Butler-Turner were elected as leader and deputy leader.
Mr Cash said he could not confirm an official time line for a convention as it was solely the responsibility of the council to decide.
When asked why party officials have said very little of convention plans this year, Mr Cash responded that the FNM has been too focused on the Christie administration’s lacklustre performance to prioritise internal party politics. But party insiders say there has been considerable agitation among FNMs who want a convention now.
“The last time we had a convention was May 2012,” he said, “and according to the constitution we are due to have one in 2014. But that decision is the exclusive domain of the central council of the FNM.
“Therefore I plan to put the question to them in short order so that they can deliberate in one way or the other. There has been some idle speculation of a fear of convention, but that is far from the truth.
“So we expect that whenever it is held that there will be a spirited convention and every position will be opened for contesting.”
Since Dr Minnis was elected, there has been speculation of contention within the party over Dr Minnis’ leadership style and effectiveness. He has come under fire in recent times over the appropriateness of comments where he likened the Christie administration to the lost Malaysian airliner. He drew the analogy after National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said he was unaware of whether a date had been set for the constitutional referendum on gender equality.
Another insider suggested that the costs associated with holding conventions could be a deterring factor.
One FNM said: “There is no reason why the council should not stick to the constitution and hold a convention. People think it should be a big, over the top televised event where delegates are brought in and put up in hotels, but right now we can appreciate that the party is challenged economically.
“But given how pressing this is, holding a convention now is good for the democracy of the party. One thing about conventions are all positions are contested, which is why it is so important for those elected to perform up to expectations.”
On the political divide, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts said PLPs have already been notified that their convention is expected for mid-November at the Melia Hotel. Mr Roberts said all positions will be up for election.
Comments
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Either Darron can or cannot direct the FNM machinery .................. they better adopt a different approach to governance from Ingraham or Christie ....... and Branville. It is important that bahamians observe a system of democracy in the political parties NOT one man shows
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Wasn't it Papa himself as PM who said, he don't talk on no cell phone cause ain't no telling who be listening-in? Can the reds be serious about holding a party convention, or is it just Comrade Chairman Daron? Political reds are hoping to do what about its sagging media show series sagging ratings, by holding the party's convention - that even fewer red shirts plan on attending? Will the former reds Senator John B who was forced to walk off the reds plank be allowed to address their party's convention? Will Daron's own media blitz of them policemans grabbing he computer and cell phone out me hands, have been resolved by the policmeans investigation by convention time? Is this not a risky proposition for the infighting red shirts? Daron what about all your newest claims of how the policemans returned your computer and cell phone, all bugged-up with all kinds tracking and listening devices? Daron don't you know you don't be calling no family get-together, when there is too much cousins, uncles, pa and ma and grandpa and grandma infighting going on?
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 5 months ago
Tal you need to start concentrating your comrade comments on current government. For the first time in my life I feel my freedoms being threatened by my government. What is up with them shutting down Facebook pages? And going into people's houses (people that are not charged with a crime) to confiscate communication devices ?
PLP are the communists...
realfreethinker 10 years, 5 months ago
Tal is nothing more than a yellow lover,apologist,distractor of the yellow incompetance.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Tell me something Comrade Realfreethinker (sounds like the handle John B calls himself)are these hereto Tribune blog pages not the the most comprehensive red handbook of red shirts apologetics, ever assembled by any local media source in Bahamaland?
birdiestrachan 10 years, 5 months ago
Cash said that his party has been to focused on the PLP to prioritize internal FNM polities. Now Cash can tell lies with the best of the FNM's..The truth is they are to busy nit picking , finding faults with every thing, and trying to make brownie points, not to mention all of the BOB business, that they are not suppose to know or mention.
They have no solutions. and they are making no sense.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrades the most revealing part of what Daron has to say this morning is Papa didn't only leave the peoples public treasury broke. I know it's scary as hell for them and a red shirts convention they do not want anytime soon, but The Tribune must know that the day will soon come when even they will have to endorse their red shirts leadership contender, who they think will best serve their purposes. They done know Minnis is a no-go to earn The Tribune's endorsement? I mean how long can Shirley & Deveaux Streets wait for they Papa's return?
birdiestrachan 10 years, 5 months ago
It is my hope that when the FNM convention is called their Papa does not pull a Tommy Turnquest, on Dr. Minnis. Their Papa told Tommy T. not to worry all is well. But the" Hubert Ingraham is back" shirts were Ready. now if that is not Double cross what is it.? But you know Dr. Minnis just like a Parrot will say the FNM was built on all kinds of fancy ideas. This is not so.. Also their Papa called Tommy T on the stage to rub his face in the double cross. and like a good little boy he came up.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Birdie............. being a good PLP as you are............ you love to drum up party history ............. would you care to remind us of past PLP power intrigues ???????????????
For any political party going through leadership change there is going to be intrigue ............ thats the nature of power
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrades I have never supported the wildy fielded argument that Papa Hubert had really doubled-crossed Tommy T - considering Tommy had his leadership opportunity silver spoon fed to him by this same Papa back in 2002 to became Prime Minister. Personally, I don't feel Tommy with without Papa Huberts's support could have held on to the leadership of the reds as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. As a PM contender, Tommy was never taken seriously, nothing to do with Papa. A setup knowing he could not possibly win, maybe but not double-crossed. That is just plain politics and I while I don't agree with it, if Hubert had indeed set Tommy up to take the fall in 2002 - chalk it up good old politics. Minnis too must know his fate will be all about just politics - winning the government back from PM Christie or whomever leads the PLP into the 2017 general elections.
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