The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner has ramped up her efforts to win the party’s leadership post with the release of a commercial over the weekend urging party members to “make history” by electing her.

“Like all of you, I too believe that our country is headed in the wrong direction and is in need of a new kind of leadership,” Mrs Butler-Turner said in the two-minute ad.

She added that if successful in her bid, she will be a confident leader who will bring new energy and ideas to the party.

This comes after Mrs Butler-Turner spent the weekend in Abaco meeting with delegates, supporters and business people as part of her campaigning efforts, delivering remarks in Marsh Harbour and Coopers Town.

In Marsh Harbour she expressed gratitude to former Prime Minister and North Abaco MP Hubert Ingraham and praised the FNM’s record while in office.

“We have a proud record of government, a record of reform and modernisation in three non-consecutive administrations led by Hubert Ingraham.

“The FNM is the better party for the Bahamas and the Family Islands. It is the FNM that began the process of modernising the islands of the Bahamas after decades of neglect by the Progressive Liberal Party.

“Just look at what was done during the FNM’s last term from 2007 to 2012 and what we left in train for the next five years. The era of the good work of the FNM (here) in Abaco is not over. It will continue if I am afforded the opportunity to serve as prime minister.”

Mrs Butler-Turner also spoke of the challenges and opportunities of Family Island development, and said if she becomes leader of the FNM and later prime minister, the needs and possibilities of the Family Islands “will always be front and centre.”

Last month Mrs Butler-Turner formally announced her decision to run against current FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis for the party’s top post.

At the time, she said although she was “grateful” for Dr Minnis’ services, the FNM needed to be run by “a firm leader of the opposition who will keep both eyes on them inside and outside of parliament.”

Last month Dr Minnis called a snap convention which is set for November 21 and last week said he was unfazed by his rival and is confident he will retain his post.

He too has been campaigning in the Family Islands and New Providence ahead of the convention.