FREE National Movement chairman Carl Culmer. (File photo)
By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
ts-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement chairman Carl Culmer dismissed speculation of friction in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ Cabinet due to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FNM chairman responded to claims on social media and from a Tribune source, which he “chalks up” to nothing more than mere political mischief.
“There are persons out there trying to create mischief in the FNM,” Mr Culmer said. “They realise that the only way to get the PLP back in power is to create mischief in the FNM. I talk to Cabinet ministers just about every day. I have a constant rapport with them and I have heard nothing from them that says they are not in agreement with what the prime minister is doing.
“None of the Cabinet ministers have told me they are resigning. People are creating mischief and that’s all that it is. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet are doing a good job in this pandemic and people are out there trying to say they can do a better job. The Cabinet is on one accord.”
Mr Culmer was contacted after a high-ranking FNM supporter contacted this newspaper to allege that morale in the party was low.
“Our party is in shambles,” the supporter, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “Our leader has absolutely no regard for any of us nor does he regard his Cabinet. He is at odds with most of the members in fact he does not even speak to some of them. Their morale is low and many of them want out. He treats them like they are not adults. It makes us long for days of old when we had a different leader.
“You will find resignations coming a dime and a dozen because no one wants to deal with him. ..I am an FNM from the 1970s, and our party has never, ever seen it like this before. This is an, ‘only what I say goes’ and ‘do what I say’ type of leadership and morale within the party is very low. He does not even speak to or regard his chairman.”
Asked about what the party supporter said, Mr Culmer said there are some in the party who will always be disgruntled because they may not have gotten what they want.
“I am not going to waste much time on that,” the chairman said. “The Prime Minister spoke to me on Tuesday and last night. He and I have no problems. There will always be one or two people who are disgruntled. You know, some who may have not gotten what they want or asked for. That is what that is about, but no one in the FNM is upset with the leader.”
The chairman was asked if he thinks the FNM can win the next election.
“The PLP has started up something on social media about a general election,” he said in response. “I don’t have time to waste on it. They are worrying about an election when we are in the middle of a pandemic. It shows where their heads are. Do they care about people who are suffering? The election is in 2022. This is 2020. Let us focus on what is going on now.”
On Wednesday, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell said people should push for a snap election in response to the Prime Minister’s handling of the pandemic.
In response, Mr Culmer in a statement, said it is “sad to see the level to which political discourse has sunk in our country.”
Mr Culmer also said:
“Rather than standing with the government to offer sensible, achievable solutions, some like PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell see this crisis as a time to make moves for political power. Other political rejects are seeking resignations because of their personal grievances with those in power.
Our Prime Minister is not afraid of leading. He is also humble enough to change course when the people say they need more time before a policy is implemented. Bahamians of goodwill should join with the government to offer their ideas and assistance in this extraordinary crisis.”
Comments
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 2 months ago
"...not get what they want or asked for. That is what that is about, but no one in the FNM is upset with the leader.”"
This is where you know the whole truth isn't being told. There's at least one FNM who's upset with the leader. There must be, a number of them thought What Loretta said was true enough and supported her. Some "one" must be upset.
If it is as bad as the source said our country is in trouble. Parliament has given Mr Minnis absolute power. He has the power to commandeer any citizens property or bank account contents for any reason and no one can tell him he can't. we can tell the rationale for "emergency" actions aren't always well thought out.
"He is at odds with most of the members in fact he does not even speak to some of them."
The reporter taking this called should have pressed for concrete definitions of "most" and "some". 30%, 40%, 50%?
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 2 months ago
"He treats them like they are not adults. It makes us long for days of old when we had a different leader."
But the complaint about Hubert Ingraham was that he was a maximum leader. The problem here isn't the man. It's what the law allows him to do. Rules are in place to guide good leaders but also to protect against the bad ones. If we are so concerned about a Prime Minister who has become a dictator then Parliament needs to move to ensure that the law never again allows a Prime Minister with absolute power. AT THE VERY LEAST, if this account is true the emergency powers, as is, should be nullified immediately
joeblow 4 years, 2 months ago
... the Westminister system does not allow the PM absolute power, He is supposed to be the first among peers! Its the fact that MPs are not elected on their own merits, but on a party ticket that creates the problem. MP's are forced to kiss the behind of the leader in order to gain favor (ministries, board appointments etc) so whoever ascends to the top of the party can control those below. This was never supposed to be!
If our population was educated enough to select people on their merits we would have a far more stable and accountable system of government!
thps 4 years, 2 months ago
I like Culmer, most persons charge for standup comedy routines, he does them for free.
People are giving advice. Is the Pm listening?
We've complained about a no notice lockdown when the first one came. He does it again but this time extends it for 7 days.
We've complained about allowing suppliers time to restock before reopening and he didn't allow them to do so again.
He received thousands of proposals according to him with suggestions. How many have been implemented? How many have been ignored in the latest series of events?
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, shame on both of us.”
trueBahamian 4 years, 2 months ago
I agree with "ThisisOurs" that the reporter should have pressed for better clarity on the numbers to clearly understand "most" and "some". I'm a little annoyed that these articles are written as "he said" or "she said". Can we get the Tribune and the Nassau Guardian to actually ask questions to dig into the matter. This is basic journalism. These articles read like the reporter simply involved in dictation. A few sides say something and the reporter writes.
We need journalism with a spine and teeth. Does anyone edit anymore? I constantly see spelling and grammatical errors in articles both in the papers and online. Geezer people!
On the content of the article, clearly there are issues. Helena Keller can see and hear what's going on in the party. It appears that some folks are in the PM's inner circle and some are not. We can see for example there is rift between him and the DPM. If anyone recalls the matter of the increase granted to one union for their members by the PM which the DPM later came back in the media to say they could not pay the increase. Clearly a disconnect between the two and clearly the DPM felt a need to air out his disagreement in the media as opposed to behind closed doors in a meeting with the PM. We also see the Financial Secretary being extremely visible in the media. It doesn't appear that he answers to the Minister of Finance (DPM). Looks like he is a part of the PM's inner circle. There's a dictatorship running here that is growing. We, the people, need to speak up.
trueBahamian 4 years, 2 months ago
Typo, should be geez instead of geezer.
trueBahamian 4 years, 2 months ago
Helen Keller not Helena Keller.
Hoda 4 years, 2 months ago
He speaks and exudes that toxic ignorance that is not fair to generalize as the mentality of "bahamian men". But, these old heads continue to choose these specimens to represent and articulate on their behalf.
TalRussell 4 years, 2 months ago
'Em has had done had the cleanest ass in all The Colony from just the red Chair's lickin;!
So many gaping untrue holes in the red coats Comrade Chairman's self-serving, asslicking characterisation that surrounds Mr. Theodore Minnis to that long suspected be ravaging the disheveled 34 House-elected party's MP's.
Nod Once for Yeah so strange when none other than the politically entitled sprungs forward to defend The Man's, governance, Twice for No?
DWW 4 years, 2 months ago
<> trying to see how he manages to stand on soap box while having head in sand. 2022 is less than 24 months away. I suspect the FNM will not win another majority based on word on the street. time longer than rope. A true leader listens and acts based upon those who speak. Minnis dictates without listening to anyone. 2 very different things and it is leading to a very dark place for the Bahamas.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 2 months ago
The FNM. Doc and Culmer are creating mischief for themselves.
They are not smart enough to see it. Is doc and Culmer sound of Mind? who knows?
joeblow 4 years, 2 months ago
Famous last words!!!
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