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Sidney Collie elected FNM Chairman

Sidney Collie elected FNM Chairman at the party's headquarters. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Bradley Roberts praised new Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie on Friday - but not without taking a swipe at his predecessors, Darron Cash and Michael Pintard.

Mr Roberts' statement came after Mr Collie defeated Rodney Moncur by 62 votes to win the FNM chairmanship contest on Thursday night.

Mr Roberts said: "The former FNM Deputy Leader, Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister is experienced in the administration of party operations and well versed in the principles of national governance. It is hoped that these advantages will assist Mr Collie in avoiding the unfortunate pitfalls that plagued former chairs Cash and Pintard."

Mr Cash, then chairman, ran for the deputy leadership of the FNM in 2014 but was defeated by Peter Turnquest. Mr Pintard resigned last month amid questions about his involvement in a controversy surrounding the Christie Administration's relationship with fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

In fact, Mr Collie himself has had to answer questions about his relationship with Mr Nygard, who he once represented as an attorney.

He told The Tribune this week that his work for Mr Nygard would not impede his ability to hold the PLP's feet to the fire for its connection to the mogul.

Mr Turnquest agreed on Friday, telling The Tribune that Mr Collie has been "very transparent" about the relationship.

"He took a particular course of action and he did what he had to do," he said, referring to Mr Collie's claim that he was fired as Mr Nygard's attorney for not suing the government on Mr Nygard's behalf after his application for a Crown Land lease was denied under the last Ingraham administration.

Nonetheless, Mr Roberts said he agreed with Mr Collie's pledge to fight against wealthy foreigners who seek to use their money to have their way in this country.

"I fully agree with Mr Collie that billionaires should not be allowed to use their wealth to undermine long held constitutionally guaranteed parliamentary privileges in this country, nor should they be allowed to conspire with Bahamians to undermine the sovereignty of this country by seeking to destabilize a duly elected government," he said.

"I fully intend to hold Mr Collie's feet to the fire on this bold and principled position he has taken, contrary to the apparent sentiment and actions of the leadership of his party. That said, I welcome Sidney's return to the political battlefield and look forward to vigorous debates on public policy matters of national import all for the benefit of the Bahamian people and our beloved country."

Of the 202 people eligible to vote in the chairmanship contest, only 63 per cent did so, with Mr Collie winning by 89 votes to 27.

Some described this as low turnout, arguing that it showed FNM delegates were apathetic about the contest.

When contacted on Friday, FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis declined to provide his perspective on this.

Nonetheless, some have said that the turnout level was less than optimal because the event had less significance since the party will hold another convention in seven months, during which the chairmanship position will be contested again.