By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DISSATISFIED Free National Movement members will have no choice but to accept the outcome of the party’s national convention next month, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said yesterday.
Mr Turnquest underscored that the party could not afford any further discord so close to a general election.
He confirmed his plans to defend his post at the national convention in July.
“We are so close to election,” he said, “we can’t afford for any further division. There are those who are of the view that we needed to have this
convention to settle the leadership issues, well the same thing was said about the last convention.”
He added: “Be that as it may, we’re so close to election now that we have no choice, so hopefully all those who are dissatisfied will find a way to resolve issues.”
The party has announced a “full convention” scheduled for July 27 - 29 at the Melià resort. The new date, roughly four months ahead of the pre-established November date, was confirmed during an executive meeting last week to quell discord among the party’s parliamentary caucus.
This came after six of the FNM’s 10 MPs gave party leader Dr Hubert Minnis an ultimatum: call an early convention or they would write to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to have him constitutionally removed as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament.
The six FNM parliamentary members at the centre of the latest push to oust Dr Minnis as leader were St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.
To support their bid, the parliamentary caucus issued a scathing assessment of Dr Minnis in a memorandum to the party’s council.
That memo described Dr Minnis’ perceived flaws, including his failure to take command of the party “at almost every turn” despite their repeated efforts to support him.
Dr Minnis has downplayed the threat, telling The Tribune last week that he “has never felt so good” and is not concerned about the “noise in the market.”
At the party’s last convention in November 2014, Dr Minnis successfully defended his post against former Deputy Leader Mrs Butler Turner by a resounding margin.
Mr Turnquest won the party’s deputy leader post by more than 100 votes, beating out both former FNM Chairman Darron Cash and former Senator Dr Duane Sands.
Comments
Economist 8 years, 6 months ago
The process of who is on the council is seriously flawed. The result is a group of old and outdated people will be voting on the next FNM Leader. They have already decided that Minnis is their man.
They have not given any thought to the fact that Minnis is a lousy leader and will cause voters to go elsewhere or not vote at all.
If FNM Council will have to decide if they want to re-elect the PLP or if they want to be the next Government. It is really that simple.
cmiller 8 years, 6 months ago
DISSATISFIED Free National Movement members will have no choice but to accept the outcome of the party’s national convention next month, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said yesterday.
See, this is where these people go wrong!!!! We, the people, ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE!!!!!! Stop being so dismissive of us!!!!
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 6 months ago
Elect Minnis again and the division remains.
What?
Yall think 3rd time is the charm hey?
Get real...
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 6 months ago
FNM is a mess.
DNA are not even in the game.
PLP wins 2017.....
Honestman 8 years, 6 months ago
It is always "darkest before the dawn". There is still time for common sense to prevail within the FNM. I doubt that the party would be so stupid as to re-elect Dr. Minnis in July. That would be the ultimate act of insanity. Everyone and their grandmother can see that he isn't cut out for the role. Ingraham, Symonette and other influential senior party members will surely use their influence to save the party from committing electoral suicide?
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
The FNM Deputy Leader must first assure FNMs out there that the voting convention delegates are properly vetted, selected and fairly representative of the FNM voters ...... not handpicked Minnis lackeys and a sizeable number of toothless "superdelegates"
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