The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE being perceived as a fractured organisation, the Free National Movement “is still a united force to reckon with” ahead of the 2017 general election, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said.

His comments come as the party is still reeling from a series of internal spats that have been made public.

Against that backdrop Mr Turnquest declared that all of the party’s members are all on the same page.

Mr Turnquest said that while there are issues that may have given the perception that all is not well within the FNM, “there is no outlook for us that is fractured.”

The East Grand Bahama MP told The Tribune that the FNM is focused on winning the next general election, adding that the party’s leadership will not be deterred by reports of infighting.

“I am confident,” he said. “We are the FNM and we will regain the administration of this country and reset the vision to take account of the wishes and achievable goals of an enlightened and forward thinking population.

“Clearly the Bahamian people have had enough of the current administration and are looking for a focused leadership team with a new vision for The Bahamas centred around building sustainable economic reforms and economic wealth for all based upon opportunity.”

Despite Mr Turnquest’s assurances, a source within the party said “chaos is underway behind the scenes.”

This was evident last week when Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner delivered a scathing rebuke of party Chairman Michael Pintard over accusations that he and other party executives were planning to hold an executive meeting in her constituency last Friday without consulting her, which she said is in contravention of the FNM’s protocols.

In an email sent by Mrs Butler-Turner to Mr Pintard last Monday, she said the planned meeting was “most egregious and disrespectful” and raised “suspicions of ill-intent and corrupt practices.”

However Mr Pintard later said the whole issue was one of miscommunication.

In January, FNM Senator Lanisha Rolle drew ire from members of her party when she called in to a radio talk show to criticise FNM members of Parliament that she said were “jealous” of party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.

Several FNM MPs later called on her to make a public apology over the remarks, however she never did.

Dr Minnis beat out Mrs Butler-Turner to retain his leadership position at the party’s one-day convention in November 2014. However, some in the party have called for a new convention well ahead of the 2017 general election to settle lingering leadership questions.

In January, Dr Minnis said the FNM’s National Executive Committee has recommended a full convention to be held no later than November 30.

The party’s Central Council is expected to vote on the matter this Thursday.

The party is mandated by its constitution to have a convention every two years.