The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday dismissed recent suggestions by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis that the FNM is appealing to the interests of the “Bay Street Boys”.

Mr Turnquest also dismissed Mr Davis’ suggestions that former deputy prime minister Brent Symonette’s return to frontline politics was motivated by an opportunity for him to seize the reins from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.

The deputy leader said “there is no reason for anyone to believe that there is going to be any change in the leadership of the party.” 

Mr Turnquest, in an interview with The Tribune, further insisted that the FNM is a “united party” that is “solely focused on removing this failed, corrupt government” and that will not be “distracted” by “wishful thinking and naysayers.” 

Mr Turnquest noted that Mr Davis is “obviously concerned”, adding that Mr Symonette’s return to politics is a reality that the Cat Island MP “is going to have to face” on his own.

Mr Turnquest also hit back at Mr Davis for his scathing criticisms of Dr Minnis, charging that they merely demonstrate that “they’re afraid of the change that (Dr Minnis) represents.”

“I think again the fact that they’re focused on Dr Minnis means that they’re afraid of what he represents, the change that he represents,” he said.

“You can tell Mr Davis that he can’t hold back the tide of change. Change will come, change must come to this country. 

Mr Turnquest said: “If he wants to talk about failures he really ought to talk about the failures of his government to fulfil the promises that they had put forth in 2012, they should talk about their failure to maintain our economy at a stable level, they should talk about their failure to contain the (national) debt, they should talk about their failure to double the investment in education.” 

Mr Turnquest was responding to statements made by Mr Davis while speaking to a crowd of supporters at a town hall meeting at the CV Bethel High School on Monday night. 

During his remarks, Mr Davis cautioned voters to be wary of voting for the FNM, claiming that Mr Symonette’s return to frontline politics is proof that the party is representing the interests of the “Bay Street Boys” as opposed to “ordinary people.”

 Mr Symonette is the son of Roland T. Symonette, the leader of the United Bahamian Party (UBP), which represented the interests of the Bay Street Boys oligarchy during the country’s pre-Majority Rule years.

Mr Symonette announced his intention to run on the FNM’s ticket for the St Anne’s constituency last month, five years after announcing his retirement from frontline politics. 

 As such, Mr Davis hit out at the FNM’s slogan “It’s the People’s Time,” suggesting that even though the Hubert Minnis-led party is trying to “present themselves different this time,” the return of Mr Symonette is proof that the FNM “ain’t got no love for our people.”

Mr Davis also surmised that Mr Symonette’s return was due to the latter sensing a “weak leader” in Dr Minnis, and that Mr Symonette consequently “thinks it’s his time to get in.”

 “Dr Hubert Minnis is the leader of our party, Peter Turnquest is the deputy leader of the party,” Mr Turnquest said in response. “There is no reason for anyone to believe that there is going to be any change in the leadership of the party. That happens at a convention and we will not have another convention until certainly after elections. 

 “Mr Davis is obviously concerned, afraid of Mr Symonette’s return to politics, and that is something that he’s going to have to, a reality he’s going to have to face. He should concentrate on his race and getting his policies out in the public, because right now they’re running away from their record. And that should be more of a concern to him than what’s happening or what is going to happen in respect to the next government of the Bahamas. 

“At the end of the day, the (FNM) is a united party, solely focused on removing this failed, corrupt government, and we will not be distracted by wishful thinking and naysayers.”