The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie said yesterday he will “wait and see” if Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner or Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins are “serious” about wanting to work with the FNM to ensure the Progressive Liberal Party does not win the next election before he comments on their “public utterances”.

Mr Collie told The Tribune that despite a disciplinary tribunal convened to investigate them, both Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Rollins are still members of the FNM.

Mr Collie also said there have been no proceedings to expel them.

When asked if he believes the dissident MPs were genuine in their statements about possibly working with the FNM, Mr Collie said: “It’s political season and people are posturing and saying what sounds good.”

He added: “We will wait and see if they make an attempt, the party has always been here.

“There isn’t really anything I can say about their comments, this is the political environment, political season so people are posturing and saying what they think people want to hear. I don’t want to be drawn into those discussions. I am chairman of a major political party and we are positioning ourselves to win the election.

“Show me your banana, show me your skin. Both of these persons are members of the FNM as of today. There have been no proceedings to expel them. I have not received any letter of resignation and to date there has not been any of them that named against an FNM (candidate). Our constitution says you are an FNM in good standings unless you are expelled or you resign or you nominate against another FNM.”

On Wednesday, Mrs Butler-Turner said it was “very likely” the PLP will be returned as the government unless splintered opposition forces can put the future of the country before their own egos.

She said that the path to achieving a unified opposition is “very straightforward” but was blocked largely by the leadership desires of all persons involved.

She maintained that, despite the protestations of other groupings, the only team that she has not had formal talks with was the FNM.

Last week, while making his contribution in the House of Assembly, Dr Rollins said despite all that has happened, he is a member of the FNM.

He suggested he would be prepared to work with the FNM if it meant the PLP would not win the next general election.

Seven “rebel” FNM MPs ousted Dr Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, and appointed Mrs Butler-Turner in December last year. The FNM has appointed a three-person tribunal to decide the fate of Mrs Butler-Turner and the six other members of Parliament, and that process is continuing.

Out of that group, Mrs Butler-Turner was the only MP who had received a nomination from the FNM for the upcoming general election. After her move, the Long Island ratification was rescinded and the party named attorney Adrian Gibson as her replacement.

Mrs Butler-Turner has since indicated plans to run as an independent candidate for Long Island in the next election.