The Tribune

Neko Grant’s announcement that he will not stand for re-election next year means it is now only a matter of when and how the FNM’s ‘Dissident Six’ will meet their political demise, says Malcolm J Strachan . . .

Yesterday’s announcement by the Free National Movement’s Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, Neko Grant, is the beginning of the end.

It signals the start of the domino effect for the ‘Dissident Six’.

For those who may have been sleeping under a rock for the last year, the Dissident Six are the group of six FNM parliamentarians who were brave enough to say enough was enough with Dr Hubert Minnis’ babbling and non-performance as party leader.

This grouping, which was led by Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, included Grant, Theo Neilly, Hubert Chipman, Richard Lightbourn and Dr Andre Rollins.

After their failed bid to oust Dr Minnis in last month’s national convention, the group is on the chopping block. Despite assurances to the contrary from the Minnis camp, many of them know the writing is on the wall.

It is now only a matter of when and how they will meet their political demise.

Two weeks ago, Mr Grant resigned as Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly, and as the Shadow Minister of Works. It was a surprise move that caught the Parliament - and his colleagues - off guard. Many within the Opposition party did not see it coming, and Mr Grant (who is not known to mince his words) placed the reason for his departure squarely at the feet of his party leader.

At that time, Mr Grant said that recent events have demonstrated to him that Dr Minnis was “uncomfortable” with him and “not satisfied” with his performance. He said, therefore, that he must do what honourable men must do and step aside.

Reports had been circulating at the time that Dr Minnis had offered Mr Grant’s post to Mrs Butler-Turner in a bid to squash any plans that she or her supporters may have had to break from the party and form a new political movement. For her part, Mrs Butler-Turner has not left the party, and has called for healing within the FNM in the lead-up to the 2017 general elections. The real enemy, they keep reminding their supporters, is the Progressive Liberal Party. But, time will tell.

Neko Grant is currently the longest serving FNM MP in the House of Assembly, having been first elected to Parliament in 1992. As the most senior FNM in that place, he has stood as a symbol of stability for the party.

His decision to not offer himself for re-election in 2017 is truly only a confirmation of one he had made in 2012. But the timing of this announcement is what is disturbing to FNM party supporters.

To announce his departure again, at such a time of instability and turmoil within the party, only confirms to many of the party’s base that the FNM will not be united to take on the PLP in a few short months.

Furthermore, what does this all mean for the other members of the Dissident Six? Can they be looked at as incumbents who will carry the party’s torch forward? Highly unlikely.

Let us look at their futures.

Theo Neilly most naturally will be the next FNM MP to announce his decision not to run in 2017. Mr Neilly has been a quiet soldier within the House of Assembly. As a first-time MP coming into politics on the losing side of the isle, Mr Neilly would need tremendous financial resources to just be relevant - let alone good. We have been reliably informed that with one of his largest supporters on the ground in North Eleuthera, Abner Pinder, passing on this year, Mr Neilly is looking for a way out. This continued turmoil would be that reason.

Hubert Chipman is a man of considerable means, but again as a first time MP, there is a lot to consider. “Chippie”, as he is called by his friends and colleagues, came into the FNM through former party leader Hubert Ingraham. Now that Mr Ingraham is no longer there, and having publicly campaigned against Dr Minnis during this last convention, there is little reason for Chippie to stay.

Richard Lightbourn is another FNM MP with the means to fund their own campaign, but he has been labelled as a staunch supporter of Mrs Butler-Turner, thus darkening his future prospects under Minnis. The FNM will need soldiers like Richard and Chippie who have proven that they know what it takes to win an election, but their hearts we fear won’t be in it come 2017 - especially as rumours swirl again of the return of the likes of former senator Lanisha Rolle and their ilk.

Which brings us around to Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Rollins.

Ironically, their futures are intertwined as Rollins has made it clear he will not be running under the FNM banner, but from all accounts it appears he will be challenging for Butler-Turner’s constituency of Long Island as an independent.

While Butler-Turner has been promised the nomination for the FNM, there is no doubt that this will be one of the most hotly contested seats in the entire general election. We expect to see Democratic National Alliance candidates, independents, FNM, PLP and more.

Let us not forget that with the recent resignation of the Finance Committee of the party, any and all candidates could be asked to fund a substantial portion of their own campaigns. This will dramatically limit those who will be able to offer themselves for election, and who will eventually remove themselves due to budgetary constraints.

So there we have it; we are left with an FNM that is broken internally and broke financially.

At a time when the current government is the most dangerous impediment to the progress of the country, it is a shame that the official opposition is in such a state.

Lord help us.

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