The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement Central Council has unanimously voted to hold a full convention no later than November 30, ending speculation on whether the party would contravene its own constitution and not hold a convention by the end of the year.

The party’s Central Council also voted to ratify three candidates - Kenyatta Gibson in Golden Isles, Michael Foulkes in Golden Gates and environmental lawyer Romi Ferreira in Marathon.

The FNM Central Council made those decisions during a lengthy meeting at the party’s Mackey Street headquarters last night.

When asked by Tthe Tribune for his thoughts on Thursday’s meeting FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis deferred comment, saying an official party statement was in the process of being drafted and would be released by today.

In January FNM Chairman Michael Pintard said he expected the party to hold a convention ahead of the next general election, but said there was a possibility it could be a non-voting event in which none of the organisation’s executive posts would be open for a challenge.

That proposal was immediately slammed by many of the party’s supporters and members.

Former Deputy Prime Minister in the last FNM governmental administration, Brent Symonette said he couldn’t understand why the party would consider a non-voting event.

Mr Symonette said it would be in the best interest of the party to hold a voting convention.

When contacted by The Tribune for clarity on the party’s convention date and scope, Mr Pintard confirmed that a full convention has been scheduled for 2016. However, he stopped short a giving a definite day.

Moreover, one source – who asked to remain anonymous – said heading into Thursday’s vote there was little waiver on the part of council representatives, many of whom, he said “had already bought into the idea that a full convention was the best move” for the party to resolve its many issues.

That source added that while the factions in the party were now obvious, all sides involved have agreed that a convention “where everyone has their say” would be the best option.

No one has yet declared his or her intent to contest any of the FNM’s leadership positions at a convention. However, many party supporters believe that Long Island MP Loretta Butler Turner would again contest Dr Minnis for the party’s leadership post.

Dr Minnis in 2014 beat out Mrs Butler-Turner to become party leader.