FNM chairman Sidney Collie.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie said since the party’s July convention more than 30 additional persons have submitted applications in a bid to run on the FNM’s ticket in the 2017 general election.
In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Collie said the party’s Candidates Committee has been working around the clock to investigate and vet almost 140 potential candidates.
He said the party is in no way “scrapping for candidates” and is nowhere near “done or broken.”
Mr Collie said 15 persons have already been ratified and several others will be revealed on Thursday night.
“This is the most interest we have had in recent times,” he added. “Prior to the convention we had 110 maybe 115 persons apply, now we have an additional 30 or so more,” Mr Collie said.
“We were far ahead in this process but now because we have additional applications, the search and vetting committee is working around the clock. There is quite a lot of interest much more than in ordinary times and we are getting applications from persons from all walks of life. So we are in no means scrapping for persons, the convention drew a lot more persons to the party.”
On Monday, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said his party will not be forming a coalition with the FNM, despite pleas from persons inside and outside the Official Opposition.
During a press conference at his law chambers, Mr McCartney said the FNM is a “broke and sinking ship” and a union between the two groups would help the FNM, but hurt the third party.
In response, Mr Collie said it would have been “ideal” for all opposition parties to join together and oust the Progressive Liberal Party, but since that is not possible, the FNM is “fully capable of doing the job” on its own.
“In the present environment, one single massive combined force against the government would be the ideal scenario,” Mr Collie said.
“It is obvious that is not going to happen right now and I know the effort was made but for a number of reasons that is not going to happen. Now without responding to Mr McCartney directly I will say this, the FNM is the only opposition in the country that has seats in Parliament and has a distinguished record of accomplishment. We are the only opposition with a full complement of candidates. We are in the middle of finishing our manifesto and visiting communities and not at all concerned about the noise in the market.”
On Monday, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said despite several candidates deciding not to run in the next election, the FNM is stronger than ever.
In fact Dr Minnis said evidence of his party’s strength would be seen when the party ratifies additional candidates on Thursday.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 2 months ago
The FMM os truly delusional...
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
The Doc and Mr: Collie are both strangers to the Truth.
screwedbahamian 8 years, 2 months ago
Hopefully the candidates chosen will be upstanding proven successful family persons that are among the people in their daily lives and reside in the constituency nominated for and not just wealthy individuals looking to buy a nomination to increase their wealth on the backs of the Bahamian people. The Nation will be watching and voting for candidates that will make a positive change and TRUE representation in their community/ constituency and for all the Bahamas. Jokers will not do.
theplpsucks 8 years, 2 months ago
The only stranger to truth is Bran, if the fnm is a sinking ship what is his seatless ghost of a party? LOL that man is unbelievable and surely showing how narcissistic he is
athlete12 8 years, 2 months ago
Why cant we realize that both parties(FNM & PLP) are failing and have been failing for the past two decades. Look at the country everything is ineffective. The economy is in shambles. Can we give up on tourism already, at least find another main source of income. Maybe manufacture something instead of building hotels..we have more than enough we can just maintain those.From a societal aspect.. crime is down but it doesn't mean it fixed I'm pretty sure people are still barricading themselves every night. Over 80 percent of out households are run by a single parents...8/10!... Every party seems to forget about the family islands until there is a major storm or other issues. And probably most important, EDUCATION!! D average.F in the capital!! how? As you can see the problems go on and on and these aren' t recent..its has been going on for decades now!
Please wake up! They not just destroying our country but our children's future
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
This is the last chance for Bahamians to get rid of a despotic PLP party ......... all right-thinking Bahamians should be happy to see responsible, patriotic, sincere and decent candidates step forward to oppose these PLP tyrants
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