The Tribune

BY KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE confirming that he was approached by the Free National Movement over a possible candidacy in the 2017 general election, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames insisted yesterday that he is determined to avoid the antics of people who feel they have an “inalienable” right to political positions.

Mr Dames did not reveal the constituency he was being considered for, but it has been speculated that the FNM intends to ratify him for the Mount Moriah seat.

Party insiders yesterday told The Tribune that the former high ranking police officer would be a good pick for the party as the constituency is home to one of the capital’s most challenging crime hot spots for the police – Yellow Elder Gardens.

However, Mr Dames said while the FNM’s interest in him has stirred much debate, he has yet to accept any position and the party hasn’t made him any assurances.

A possible run by the former police officer has been speculated for weeks, but was the subject of discussion on Tuesday after Mount Moriah Constituency Association executive Collin Ingraham expressed anger over an apparent snub concerning his candidacy for the constituency.

It came to light in a message sent by messenger service WhatsApp in which Mr Ingraham expressed displeasure over reports that despite promises he was slated to be the party’s pick in the next election, Mr Dames had been chosen.

“I have not committed to anything nor has anyone told me that I have been nominated for any position,” Mr Dames said when he was contacted by The Tribune.

He added: “In an answer to your question, yes I have been approached by the FNM and I have been approached by people in other parties as well.

“You know people are driven to politics for any number of reasons (including) their own selfish gain, the power (and) the prestige of it. But I would say this, if or whenever that day comes and I decide to run in front line politics it’s going to be for all the right reasons. Principle among those reasons would be to give all that I can give to ensure that this country gets on the right track and that’s all I have to say.

“It’s about making the Bahamas a nation for all Bahamians. It’s not about PLPs or FNMs. It’s all about what you bring to the table. Not what colour you wear or who you are associated with. Too often you hear people say ‘the PLP is in power so I am not going to get a job’ (or) ‘the FNM is in power so I am not going to get a job.’ This whole business of jobs being seasonal based on one’s political leanings, it has to be a thing of the past. It’s archaic (and) we have too many people out there suffering. (There are) too many young people out there that can’t find jobs simply because we are not growing the economy enough or the person’s family is an FNM or PLP.

“So we need people in the front lines who are fed up, determined and encouraged to change the tide in this country. So I cannot get caught up in the side antics of it and those who feel they have an inalienable right to a position. I can’t get caught up in that and I won’t.”

Mr Ingraham’s message, obtained by The Tribune, said the Mount Moriah Association was prepared to “go to bat to fight” party leader Dr Hubert Minnis.

“He has determined along with his advisors to not ratify me at the behest of the very people I helped him defeat,” the message read. “When he was at his lowest and no one wanted to touch him, it was (former FNM Chairman Michael) Pintard and I along with a few other soldiers who started this movement. We shielded him and developed a winning campaign.

“Today I have the strongest support of any ratified or nominated candidate on the island of New Providence. I have the support of 90 per cent of the executives and all but four persons in the constituency association.”

He continued: “Yet today they will seek to say that I am not worthy and will seek to push a different candidate on Mount Moriah. I hold no personal issue with him.”

Mr Ingraham sent another message Tuesday evening, this time to clarify his earlier remarks, saying despite reportedly being passed over for the seat, he would continue to support the party and plans to vote FNM in the next election.

Mr Ingraham vied to be the FNM’s standard-bearer in North Eleuthera ahead of the 2012 general election; however he did not receive the nomination.

This comes amid news this week that a faction in Long Island drafted a petition to oust that constituency’s MP Loretta Butler-Turner, reported uncertainty over Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn’s future with the party, and confirmation from FNM member Howard Johnson that he was dropping out of the race for the South Beach constituency.