The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE membership applications of Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins to the Free National Movement were met with “thunderous applause” at a special meeting last week, according to FNM Secretary General Michael Foulkes.

Mr Foulkes confirmed that the party held a special-called meeting last Thursday at its national headquarters to bring council members “up to date” on the decision by the former Progressive Liberal Party MPs to join the party.

At that time, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis clarified that the membership approval did not signify their candidacy in the next election, adding that the new members were entitled to make an application to become standard bearers of the party.

“Councillors were advised that both Mr Wells and Dr Rollins made application to become card carrying members of the Free National Movement in the constituencies in which they reside and their applications were subsequently approved,” Mr Foulkes said in a statement.

“As has been the practice, convention and custom of the party, the said applications were approved by myself and did not require a meeting of the executive committee or the central council,” Mr Foulkes added.

The Tribune reported last week that some members of the FNM were up in arms because they were of the view that Mr Wells and Dr Rollins’ membership applications were handled “under the table”.

Other FNMs were reportedly angered because they did not learn that the MPs were joining the party until they stood in the House of Assembly on Wednesday to announce that they were crossing the floor.

Yesterday, Mr Foulkes noted that council attendance at the meeting “far exceeded the usual experience.”

“Only one council member raised several questions regarding the membership application by and of Mr Wells and Dr Rollins and the same was answered adequately and completely,” he said.

“At the conclusion of the meeting, council members overwhelmingly and enthusiastically (to) thunderous applause supported the membership and joining the FNM of Mr Wells and Dr Rollins.”

Those at last week’s meeting included Dr Minnis, Senator Michael Pintard, Mr Foulkes, members of Parliament, including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Richard Lightbourn and Senators Carl Bethel and Lanisha Rolle.

Also at the meeting were other senior party officers and others, including executive committee members and Meritorious Council Members.