Peter Turnquest speaks at the FNM Convention.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FREE NATIONAL Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said yesterday he realises it “will not be easy” to unite the party after last weekend’s convention but he said those with “hurt feelings” need to put them aside “for the good of the party and the country”.
Mr Turnquest told The Tribune that what happened before and during the convention is “now irrelevant” and in order for the FNM to be successful they need everyone onboard – including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Senator Dr Duane Sands, who ran a failed leadership campaign against Dr Hubert Minnis and Mr Turnquest.
“From Dr Minnis and I, we have moved past it,” he said.
“We have one party with one common goal - and that is to remove the PLP government. I think once we all focus on that goal and the principle this party will be able to move forward. We welcome all of our team members and all of those who vyed against us to come together.
“Those who were successful and those who weren’t. We need everyone on board. We are working to ensure that all members recognise they have a role to play and it is important to present a full team to the public,” Mr Turnquest said.
“As leaders who have a large role to play, the rest of the party is watching us to see what we do. Dr Minnis made significant steps to unite the party and we recognise it will not be easy but those with hurt feelings need to put their feelings aside.
“We aren’t perfect but we have been given a mandate to lead this party and we cannot fall apart now because we have a country to save.”
On the second night of the FNM’s convention, Mr Turnquest took an angry swipe at Mrs Butler-Turner amid fractious scenes at the party’s convention, insisting “respect must be earned”.
In the keynote address on Thursday, Mr Turnquest targeted the Long Island MP, reprimanding her for far exceeding her allocated 25-minute time slot.
In a two-minute diatribe preceding his prepared speech, the East Grand Bahama MP said the FNM was not built on the chaotic and fractured practices on display so far at the convention.
“If you want respect, you must first show respect. Respect must be earned,” he shouted to resounding applause by hundreds of delegates. “The party I knew way before I knew what politics was is nothing like this.”
Mrs Butler-Turner later told the press that Mr Turnquest’s public rebuke was the final straw that prompted her to withdraw from the leadership race.
On Friday, while addressing supporters and delegates, Dr Minnis hinted that he would not purge the party of the high-profile members who have publicly criticised his leadership and help expose the party’s bitter divisions.
Mrs Butler-Turner was noticeably absent while Dr Minnis delivered his remarks on the final day of the three-day convention.
Comments
DillyTree 8 years, 4 months ago
No, Mr. Turnquest, it will not. Your behaviour at the convention was reprehensible and not becoming of a leader. I think you'll find many FNMs have been turned off by yours and Minnis's childish and corrupt behaviour and will seek strong independent candidates to vote for in 2017. You two have sealed the fate of the once great FNM party.
If you think a few dances on stage, hand-holding and lip service to unity is going to get you out of the hole you've dug for yourselves, you've got some rude awakenings coming!
I think many of us could well have dealt with the loss of Mrs. Turner and Dr. Sands had it been a fair fight, but you and your mob ensured there would be no fair play or integrity in the process. Now you have to live with that. Was it worth it?
jackbnimble 8 years, 4 months ago
I totally agree. They are determined to hold on to power even at the possible cost of the election. Idiots!
Honestman 8 years, 4 months ago
This farce of a convention was proof positive that the FNM in its present state is unfit to govern this country.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 4 months ago
Yall should not have cheated.
Bunch of dummies...
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
Start with accepting that you made yourself the jackass because Joe Biden could never viciously lambaste and rebuke Bernie on stage just because his President backed Hillary.
Quit being afraid to test for the best.
B-T in GB. Let her take on Port Authority.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 4 months ago
https://www.yahoo.com/katiecouric/caucu…
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 4 months ago
No need to worry bout that. Two parties will now emerge and you will have the FNM to yourselves. After the general you and Bran can talk. But you won't hav a single house seat between you. God don't like ugly and yiu and Doc is OGLY BAD !
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 4 months ago
My feelings were not hurt.
Minnis has failed misrrably for 4 years.
I do not want him to ever be my PM.
May as well stick with Perry and his crew of amateurs.
Hopefully the FNM will grow up in those 5 years.
But as it is now the FNM is a kindergarten full of spoiled children.
No thanks..
Honestman 8 years, 4 months ago
"May as well stick with Perry and his crew of amateurs".
I agree with your comments except for this one. The PLP are no "amateurs". They are seasoned criminals who know exactly what they are doing. They have systematically stripped the country of its wealth these last four years and distributed it to themselves and their friends. They are "professional" thieves and we are going to hand them another five year term to steal the remaining crumbs from the cookie jar????
Honestman 8 years, 4 months ago
Great choice for the Bahamian electorate. Come next May, we can either vote for a bunch of jokers or we can vote for a bunch of criminals! Lord save us!
birdiestrachan 8 years, 4 months ago
For the first time in my life I was sorry for Mr:Neko Grant "Roc with Doc: can kill he was sitting right up next to Mr: Grant when he was forced to resign,Doc threw Grant under the bus. and he embraced Butler Turner. Doc can not be trusted does he really need power that bad that he has no limits as to what he will do for power? Doc condemned Mr: Lightboure, While Butler Turner embraced him what a sorry bunch, Doc aka Donald Trump
asiseeit 8 years, 4 months ago
Birdie, you have no right to judge ANYONE, you think Perry and his crew are GOOD for our nation. My god, speak of a misguided soul!
truetruebahamian 8 years, 4 months ago
You are done, you have self inflicted a permanent injury. My support and that of my family and associates is finished under your watch. You are as much a scourge as is the PLP and will be considered to be cut from the same cloth. Your tactics disgust any forward thinking and fair minded citizen of our once great country.
asiseeit 8 years, 4 months ago
The FNM is part of the problem!
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