The Tribune

Two former DPMs endorsed Pintard ahead of convention

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette urged Dr Hubert Minnis to “step aside” and let the new generation run the country.

Mr Symonette made the comment while endorsing Michael Pintard’s bid to remain party leader at the upcoming June 1 convention.

Dozens gathered at the Free National Movement’s headquarters on Mackey Street as Dr Minnis and Mr Pintard submitted their nomination papers. Some FNMs shouted “one leader” in support of Mr Pintard, who was flanked by Mr Symonette and former Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest, among others.

Mr Pintard’s leadership win in 2021 after the FNM lost the general election did not lead to unity in the party, with Dr Minnis’ faction gunning for a shot at the leadership since then.

“I am 69, it’s time for us to step aside and let the younger generation have control of the country and run it because they have great ideas and they are great people,” Mr Symonette said on Friday.

“You know what the FNM would’ve won the last general election if their sup- porters had turned out to vote.

“If you look at the number of people that did not turn out to vote and the majority of the reason that they did not turn out to vote, I think it’s a proven fact that they did not support the Minnis government.

“So that’s another reason to give the young man Mr Pintard a chance because when Dr Minnis had a chance, it didn’t work out. Step aside and let the new generation take over and run this country.”

Mr Pintard called for a generational shift in how the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party are led.

“We recognise clearly that while we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served us in the past, we owe no one our future except our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

“The convention is important. What we have had is persons who have an alternative view of our country and how the party should be run. It is our obligation to give all and sundry an opportunity to share their alternative vision and let the delegates decide.

Mr Pintard said the country determined Dr Minnis’ leadership was “not appropriate, not adequate, and again that’s not lost on our delegates as well. We believe that while grateful for all that has been done by past leadership, we offer better and have been delivering and will continue to deliver better.”

Mr Turnquest said he supports Mr Pintard 100 per cent.

“I think he has been doing a fantastic job as leader of the party,” he said.

“I think he has been hitting on some very critical issues with respect to the way that the government has been operating, a lot of times outside of the law, in my humble opinion, and certainly not in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

Shanendon Cartwright will run uncontested for deputy leader, while incumbent chairman Dr Duane Sands and Elsworth Johnson will contest the chairmanship.

The convention, with the theme “Forward Stronger”, will have a daytime session at the Breezes Resort and a nighttime session at Baha Mar.