FNM convention - but no voting?

Michael Pintard, Hubert Chipman and Brent Symonette.

As of Thursday, January 21, 2016

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard yesterday said he expects that the party will hold a convention ahead of the next general election, but revealed that there is a possibility it could be a non-voting event in which none of the organisation’s executive posts would be open for a challenge.

Mr Pintard told The Tribune that while broad dates have been tossed out by members for a new convention, there are continued talks over whether it will be voting or non-voting.

Should the FNM Central Council choose the latter route, the convention would only be held to share the party’s vision, outline elements of its plan of action, share different dimensions of its platform and/or modify the constitution of the party among other things.

This comes amid persistent calls from some in the party for a convention to settle ongoing disputes about the leadership of Dr Hubert Minnis.

This week, FNM MP for St Anne’s Hubert Chipman and former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette both said the party should hold a convention before the next election.

It comes at a time when Dr Minnis remains under scrutiny over his leadership capabilities with a general election ahead.

Recently, FNM members - who have asked to remain anonymous - have drawn attention to internal party politics where they have insisted that Dr Minnis has engaged in alleged underhanded dealings to ensure he remains at the helm of the organisation.

There is also a groundswell of support for Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner to lead the party. Mrs Butler-Turner lost her bid to unseat Dr Minnis at the party’s one-day convention in 2014.

“I expect that there will be a convention (before the election) but whether it will be a voting one or not is a decision for the council,” Mr Pintard said.

“The Free National Movement has indicated its intention to have a convention and the council reserves the right in conjunction with its executive team to determine when and if such a convention will be held.

“Those that have been courageous enough to identify themselves in calling for a convention sit on those bodies in the party that make the determination on when and if it will happen. So they have ample opportunity in the context of the executive and in the council to raise concern.”

He continued: “So I find it curious that there are these calls both on the record and anonymously. There is a provision that those who sit on the council, the supreme body, and want a convention, can introduce a resolution calling for a second. We will entertain a discussion and move from there.”

Mr Pintard also said he found it amazing that there was a preoccupation in the country with the FNM’s plans to go into a convention when the Progressive Liberal Party government continues its dismal performance, which he branded as the worst of any previous administration.

Earlier this month, a disheartened FNM, in a letter sent to The Tribune lamented that the current trajectory of the party was under the stewardship of a “terrifyingly incapable” leader.

Since Dr Minnis took over the reins of the party, the FNM member insisted, there has been an alarming trend toward evasiveness and disingenuousness in the party’s dealings.

“His failings are by now well known to all: his total inability to hold the PLP to account for any of their countless transgressions, his uncanny ability to make (Prime Minister) Perry Christie actually look competent in parliamentary debate, his poor to non-existent public relations skills, his notorious feud with the English language, and his complete lack of resonance with the public at large,” the letter said.

“Since Minnis took the helm, there has also been an alarming trend towards evasiveness and disingenuousness in the party’s dealings. Thus, we see the removal of a well-liked senator (Heather Hunt), on the excuse that the FNM has a two-year rotation policy in the Upper Chamber – yet other senators appointed at the same time continue to sit for three years and more. We also see Minnis embroiled in a serious conflict of interest allegation, where all of his efforts to extricate himself only seem to dig the hole even deeper.

“There have also been a series of deplorable moves to compromise the party’s internal democratic process in an effort to stack the deck in Minnis’ favour and ensure he retains leadership – regardless of what the party faithful and the public at large may think. Placing personal interests above those of party and country is a tactic that belongs to the PLP. It has no place in the FNM,” the insider’s letter said.

Dr Minnis did not offer comment when contacted yesterday about plans for a new convention.

More like this story

Publius 8 years, 9 months ago

Can we have a new alternative government please, because it is curtains and lights on this once halfway decent organization known as the FNM.

The_Oracle 8 years, 9 months ago

No doubt the "establishment" is pulling and tugging to have its way, as are the old "standards" and back benchers who refuse to acknowledge their obsolescence or think it is "their time". Both will hand the election to the current bunch of crooks if half of what is apparently going on is true.

Publius 8 years, 9 months ago

Minnis certainly is not ready - and the FNM chose him. So what does that say about the FNM? If the FNM knew this about him, then why did its delegates vote for him by such a large margin? I see persons who say Minnis bribed delegates, and they say that so as to suggest that this makes him illegitimate. Actually what it makes the FNM is corrupt, because if he was able to pay hundreds of people to vote for him, then that means that there is zero difference between that grouping and the PLP.

Publius 8 years, 9 months ago

The FNM is doing everything in its power to ensure the PLP wins again, and for this they are worthy of the highest and deepest disdain.

B_I_D___ 8 years, 9 months ago

Yeap...if they do this convention, with no vote...or still push Minnis...they don't get my vote...and trust me, I don't want the PLP either...AT ALL. But a Minnis lead FNM will not get my vote. I guess it will either be green or no vote at all, which is sad as I have voted in every general election I was old enough to participate in.

TheMadHatter 8 years, 9 months ago

What a shame if you were to stay home on election day. Vote for change my friend. It is long overdue.

DillyTree 8 years, 9 months ago

I hear you BID, but voting green or staying home is as good as a vote for the PLP. I'm no Minnis fan either, but I definitely can't cope with another 5 years of the PLP.

TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

Publius 8 years, 9 months ago

The FNM's chairman has got to be one of the more moronic individuals to have held that office in his party. There is no such thing as a convention without voting. That is not a political party convention, that is a rally. Has their chairman ever read his party's constitution or does he even understand what the purpose of a convention is for political parties? You have got to be a special kind of imbecile to be able to make oneself look more inept than the PLP insofar as party politics is concerned, though in truth, the PLP actually handles its politics quite well - it is governance that they are a bloody disaster at. These antics by the FNM are among the reasons that voter apathy is so high and voter registration at this stage, is so low. These parties are obsessed with self and the people and nation could rot in hell for all they care.

iamcitizen 8 years, 9 months ago

FNM CENTRAL COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO "MODIFY" PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION!

Mr. Pintard's assertion that should the FNM Central Council choose to have a non-voting event, the convention would only be held to share the party’s vision, outline elements of its plan of action, share different dimensions of its platform and/or modify the constitution of the party among other things,IS UTTER NONSENSE!!!!!

THE COUNCIL CANNOT DECIDE TO NOT HAVE AN ELECTION OF OFFICERS AT CONVENTION!

The fact is, THE FNM COUNCIL IS NOT EMPOWERED TO MODIFY PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION which unequivocally states at Article 51 (e) that the convention shall have an "ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE PARTY".

The constitution can only be modified / amended by the Convention. (See Article 21 which states: "Central Council SHALL carry out the directives issued by the CONVENTION)

This is no more than a feeble attempt to further mislead Pintard and Minnis' blind followers some of whom have never seen a copy of the party's constitution much less read one.

These ill advised tactics will only serve to further divide an already weakened party. The FNM must now move with alacrity to mend fences, regain the confidence of the Bahamian people and on to rescuing the nation from the death grip of this woefully inept PLP administration.

B_I_D___ 8 years, 9 months ago

Well if that is truly the case and they cannot bypass the vote, I'm willing to bet now that the convention does NOT happen before the general election.

TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

Renegade 8 years, 9 months ago

I agree with both Publius and I am Citizen . You can call what Pintard proposes a retreat , meeting , a convocation , a rally in the alley but it won't be a convention as that term is understood anecdotally in the political world or in the FNM Constitution . This is just another corrupt maneuver by that chicken shit Minnis and his spineless sycophants like Pintard . Now all FNMs can see why Minnis trying to pack the Council with his stooges , so that he can subvert the democratic will of the people. Don't be surprised if the true keepers of the flame resort to the Courts to protect their beloved Party.

John 8 years, 9 months ago

Donald Trump did not worry about the party's infighting and their not wanting him to run. As of now he's ahead of his closest opponent by at least 15% in most polls. Unfortunately many of the things (loose lips and rudness) and the people (Sarah Palin) that caused him to be the forerunner in the Republican party, may cause him to lose in the presidential elections.

TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago

Comrades could a small grouping political pundits truly be seeing the hands UBP painting reds canvas of the future?
Could it be that “The Rights Honourable Progressive Liberal Party” are preparing sprungs early General Election?
Smart pundits in the knows - don’t think the PLP will face-off against Minnis but against the red party’s de facto UBP leader?
Is money boys fed up enough call in their bank note loans, not willing wait party’s sudden flight Delaware file for Chapter 11 Protection?

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

Godson 8 years, 9 months ago

Why does it have to be said “Those that have been courageous enough to identify themselves in calling for a convention... "? My point is, why does it have to be COURAGEOUS???

Publius 8 years, 9 months ago

Right

MonkeeDoo 8 years, 9 months ago

Time for Brent to step up and take over. LBT for deputy and Minnis for Health.

Emac 8 years, 9 months ago

An FNM party without this greasy face chairman and cry baby Minnis is the FNM party that the people really want. I just can't understand why these younger politicians would take on the same old bad habits of their older associates: Greedy for power and stabbing anyone who stands in the way. What could Minnis and this sly fox be afraid of by not having a voting convention? Surely they are not that afraid of the big bad wolf, Loretta Butler!!! Say it ain't so!

Godson 8 years, 9 months ago

If you are afraid of this underpinning principle of the FNM's Constitution, what else you would wish to thwart for your own selfish interest? What would then be your response to this underpinning in Our Constitution, that is, The Constitution of The Bahamas if things don't appear to be aligning with your personal agenda?

I am appall and hereby express publicly my embarrassment of the behavior so far of Dr. Hubert Minnis; and much less, Mr. Pintard of whom I do not hold a moral expectation of him to know, or, expect of him to do any better.

Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson

Godson 8 years, 9 months ago

Emac and readers, it is not a matter of being afraid of 'the big bad wolf', which I must state: Mrs. Loretta Butler Turner is not a 'big bad wolf', it is a matter of these men displaying that they are afraid of a DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. If you are afraid of this underpinning principle of the FNM's Constitution, what else you would wish to thwart for your own selfish interest? What would then be your response to this underpinning in Our Constitution, that is, The Constitution of The Bahamas if things don't appear to be aligning with your personal agenda?

I am appalled and hereby express publicly my embarrassment of the behavior, so far, of Dr. Hubert Minnis; and much less, Mr. Pintard of whom I do not hold a moral expectation of him to know, or, expect of him to do any better.

Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson

Honestman 8 years, 9 months ago

Have a convention. Vote on the leadership and be done with it. Whoever emerges victorious should then be given the whole-hearted support of ALL members and indeed the country. If Minnis is afraid of a leadership challenge then he is not suitable to lead the Party.

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