Reader poll
With the FNM Convention today, who are you backing in the leadership battle?
- Dr Hubert Minnis
- Loretta Butler-Turner
125 total votes.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner said yesterday she will spend the last few hours before today’s party convention lobbying delegates with “a last rallying pep talk.”
Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune she has done all she can in the past four weeks and is proud of the work she and her team have put into her campaign to become the party’s new leader.
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner are vying for the party’s leadership today. It is unclear if others will emerge in the leadership race, but it is possible for a “dark horse” to be nominated at the last minute.
Dr Minnis’ movements yesterday leading up to the vote were not clear. Earlier in the week, Dr Minnis said he would not make any statement to the press until after the convention.
If successful in her bid, Mrs Butler-Turner will become the first woman to lead the FNM, putting her in a position to become the country’s first female prime minister.
An online poll last night asking Tribune readers who they were backing in the leadership battle showed Mrs Butler-Turner leading with 58 per cent of the vote to Dr Minnis’ 42 per cent.
“I am focused now on all I have done over the past few weeks,” Mrs Butler-Turner said. “My team is now helping the delegates, who flew in from the Family Islands, settle in. We are also having a couple of receptions to remind them why they should stay focused on my campaign.
“The overriding theme of my campaign is for everyone to be united, to stand together. We have to come out and be strong enough to continue to fight and ensure we have victory in 2017. I am still very confident going in as I was at the beginning. We had a plan, which I followed. We had the opportunity to meet the delegates individually and collectively, I shared my vision and presented my plans on the way forward.”
In a statement earlier this week, the Long Island MP also outlined her plans if elected as party leader and ultimately prime minister.
She said her plan for the Bahamas, among other things, is to expand opportunities for economic growth and employment; reduce the cost of living; bring new initiatives to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour; greater protection of the country’s borders; and enhanced education and training.
As party leader, she said she would retire the FNM’s “substantial remaining debt”; create a leadership development and training institute for candidates, party officials and campaign workers and expand the FNM’s outreach on social media.
“I feel very confident, more than confident,” she told The Tribune. “I certainly believe that the delegates believe in me and they are the ones who have the power to determine exactly where they want this party to go. I rolled out a campaign on October 13 and it was well planned and I am proud of the way the campaign has been conducted.”
FNM Chairman Darron Cash, Deputy Chairman Dr Duane Sands and East Grand Bahama MP K Peter Turnquest are expected to vie for the deputy leader’s post. Former Minister of State for Environment Phenton Neymour and Senator Michael Pintard are expected to run for party chairman.
The convention begins at 8:30am at Holy Trinity’s Convention Centre in Stapleton Gardens and the results of the votes are expected early this evening.
Comments
TalRussell 9 years, 11 months ago
Comrade Tal's "spot on" predictions. Minnis 65+% all red votes cast. Who knows maybe this time Loretta will return back to Palookavile, Abaco, quietly. What is there about Abaco, that accepts red exiled leaders? Comrade Turnquest handsomely wins deputy leader with 60+%. Daron gets trounced as... he deserves .... badly.But this is all conditionally, if there is no surprise leadership candidate? Are you aware of how "mini" this convention really is?There will not be allowed any speeches by any of the candidates at the reds "12-hour" convention?
Regardless 9 years, 11 months ago
The fat lady will either sing or cry when its over.
UserOne 9 years, 11 months ago
That is a mean, unnecessary and ignorant remark.
banker 9 years, 11 months ago
Just as I am embarrassed of having a brain-dead prime minister in his Hollowness Perrier Gladstone Crispy, I would be embarrassed of having Porketta Butterball-Turner as leader of the opposition. We Bahamians are goin' down .. crash and burn like a Learjet hitting a crane.
digimagination 9 years, 11 months ago
Love the names! Funny, I was sent these a couple of days ago: Freeda Bitchell, Terri Gallstone Misty, Phillipa Knave Mavis, Lesbe Sillier, Shamea Gibbon, Michaela Halitosis, Glen Hanmea-Martini...
UserOne 9 years, 11 months ago
What is wrong with some of you? Our politicians need to be evaluated on their politics and competence, not on their physical appearance. No wonder our politicians get away with so much, there is too much ignorance to hold them accountable.
TalRussell 9 years, 11 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
This is the FNM of 1977-87 all over again ................ waiting for the next PLP rogue to lead them.
Tommy77 9 years, 11 months ago
What a mess.
http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/bg…" style="display:none">
TalRussell 9 years, 11 months ago
In the end da red shirts went for Comrade Leader "Wendy's" Minnis over deputy leader Sister Loretta, who had's lots buns show but no beef. And you knows how's Bahamalander's does loves they's beef.
........//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0
UserOne 9 years, 11 months ago
Another nasty remark.
TalRussell 9 years, 11 months ago
Only if you have small mind it is.The humour is in the TV spot, not against anything personally Loretta. Not my style offend, even the politicians.
TalRussell 9 years, 11 months ago
Comrade Minnis confirms WINN! Unofficially won by 2 to 1 votes cast. Turnquest WINN!!
SP 9 years, 11 months ago
................................. SURPRISE .... SURPRISE ..... SURPRISE .... NOT !
It Is official.....Dr. Minnis Wins By A Landslide Victory.
What jackass would vote for a candidate that is ON RECORD AS AN MP describing Bahamians as a drug and alcohol dependent unreliable people therefore justifying the FNM policy of bringing in foreigners to fill jobs Bahamians qualify for?
BLT really expected STUPID, DRUG & ALCOHOL DEPENDENT UNRELIABLE Bahamians to vote AGAINST THEMSELVES by making her leader of the FNM and the country?????
How ignorant or selfish must an individual be to be unable to dispense free social services aid to unemployed starving people during the worse recession in living memory?
Why the hell would ANYONE vote for an individual that consider themselves so educated above all the rest that they must continually blow their own horn to drive the point home that they are "intellectually superior" to all but GOD himself? ...... N-O-T ?
Learn PLENTY BIG HEAPS OF HUMILITY BLT..But first GO TO HELL with your BULL-SHIT!
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
No need for the tone of vitriol ......... SP. Good luck with HAM in 2017 (and am FNM)
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