The Tribune

Updated for:

Monday, February 13, 2012 2:13 AM

Helpful Tools

Subscribe to:

RSS Feeds

FNM 'decides not to hold convention'

Share This Article:

Delicious

diigo it Diigo/Furl

Published On:Wednesday, September 08, 2010

THE Free National Movement has reportedly opted to not hold its national convention this year, as concerns over its cost continues to deter party members from cementing a date.

Recently, attention has been focused on the FNM's national convention as political observers expect Branville McCartney, the FNM MP for Bamboo Town, to make a challenge for the party's leadership.

With the post currently being held by the country's Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham, political observers have been speculating over what the possible outcome of such a challenge could be - and what ramifications it could have, if any, for the governing FNM party.

Yesterday, a senior PLP official informed The Tribune that their party was in fact hoping that Prime Minister Ingraham remains at the helm of the FNM, as he would be a "easier candidate" for the party to defeat in the upcoming 2012 general election. An FNM party under the leadership of Mr McCartney, the statesman said, would be the PLP's "worst nightmare".

"Bahamians are hurting. Everywhere you look, in the barber shops, in the nail salons, everywhere people are complaining about this government.

"I have not heard one person say thus far that they think things are better off now than they were in 2007," the source explained.

"If the FNM feels that they can run on that record in 2012, we will have to remind the Bahamian people of how bad things are now, and show the colossal failures that have followed this Ingraham administration," he added.

However, a leading FNM strategist shot back at this suggestion yesterday. Describing the PLP statesman's remarks as nothing short of "ignorant", the strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said this issue of Mr Ingraham being a more easily defeated candidate is simply not making "any sense."

"The PLP was elected in 2002 and was turned out of office in five years time. And you ask why? The answer is simply because the people lost confidence in them - the leadership of that party and the personalities in it.

"And if they are being honest, they themselves have no confidence in (Perry) Christie's leadership. That must be pointed out. They are just like Mr McCartney, who are running around trying to get the 'popular' vote. But the Bahamian people are not that fickle," he said.

Acknowledging that there are disgruntled persons in the FNM and the PLP, the strategist maintains that at the end of the day, regardless of who is the leader of either party, when the bell is rung, these persons will "come together to fight a common enemy."

"But even PLPs are happy that Hubert Ingraham is the Prime Minister at these times. That speaks volumes for the level of confidence that they, and the electorate have in the leader.

"So the FNM isn't just providing hope for a better future for the country. They are providing action. Hope without action isn't good. So for the moment all the PLP can do is tell you what they will do when they get in office. The FNM can tell you where they want to be tomorrow and show you what they are doing today. While they are talkin' ... we workin'," he said.

Reader Comments - 10 Total

House Rules

Be nice. Everyone is entitled to an opinion even if it differs from yours.
Be honest. Check your facts before posting.
Don’t curse. Surely you can find a way to communicate without resorting to profanity or delving into the gutter.
Keep your comments relevant to the topic of conversation.
Links to outside sites will be deleted.
If you want to sell something, contact webads@tribunemedia.net to book an online advertisement.
If you’re doing something illegal, don’t write about it here. And don’t encourage anyone else to break the law.
Let us know if something offensive, slanderous, libelous or just plain illegal has been posted by clicking on the ‘report this post’ link.
We like feedback, so let us know what you think of a story. If you have more information, share it.
If you spot a spelling error in one of our stories or think we've got our facts wrong, email jrobertson@tribunemedia.net or call 242-322-1986

Posted By: Diplomatic Citizen On: 9/10/2010

Title: Just get it together

There's no real point in arguing about who's better for the job; Ingraham or Christie. The both of them have their own "legacies", and despite the politrics, they both have made some contribution to the Bahamas. Like a commenter said below, Christie was fortunate to have been in power during an economically healthy time, so it is easy for him and his ministers to point fingers and blame the FNM for every and anything in order to discredit them. I'm in the US, and things are not the best here either. Qualified graduates are having a very hard time finding jobs, families are loosing their homes, and the country is swarming in debt. But, instead of blaming the government for "screwing everything up", people are trying to better themselves by either going back to school to further their education in preparation for an economic turn around, or they are working their tails off to make ends meet. ALL politicians are in essence working together to help the people, not fighting amongst themselves at the misfortune of the people. The point is, both Prime Ministers have run their course, and it is high time for fresh players in this game. Christie has always been one to fight dirty, so I do not for a minute believe that he feels as though McCartney will be "tough" competition. He's attempting once again to play on the ignorance of some of us Bahamians. Yes, I do feel as though McCartney can possibly do a good job at governing this country, however, I am not too sure if I would take such a risk given his recent arrival to the political arena. At the end of the day, he is still an FNM, and Ingraham will support McCartney if he feels as though he is ready.However, if he is not, we all know Mr. Ingraham is not one to hide his feelings very well. I would prefer that the FNM iron out all of their wrinkles before having a Convention. That was a good decision.

Posted By: a concerned citizen On: 9/9/2010

Title: The Bahamas is in need for ideas,vision and solution

the facts that the F.N.M. Government have tax Bahamian buisnesse creating more layoff and company closing.The fact that Bahamian cannot afford the new tax added to electircla bills,the fact that the F.N.M Government mismanage the economy and taxing Bahamian Businesse and the Bahamian peolpe.Is creating a two classes the rich and poor.The middle class is being destroy and this is why the Bahamian people are ready to get rid of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the F.N.M Government.Any Bahamian who are still supporting the F.N.M. Government after what they have done to the Bahamas and the Bahamain people like bad treatment and are very foolish.Why after crime is so high and touris being robbed,business owners being robbed and Bahamians being robbed everyday .The Prime Minister would not removed Tommy Turnquest.Do the country need to suffer more crime and America State Department must issue warning to Amercian tourist that the Bahamas high crime is unsafe to travel.The F.N.M Government action on crime and the economy is destroying the Bahamas everone is being impacted by the economy or crime.So it is no surprise that the F.N.M is cancelling the convention what do they have positive to say about the Bahamas economy,jobs and crime.The F.N.M have to realize that sooner or later Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham will be challenge for the leadership within the Party.Untill he be remove the chances for the F.N.M very bad because of high uneployement,high crime ,high debt and a bad economy.The Bahamas need a Leader with ideas,solutions, vision and a plan to move the country forward,onward and upward for a better Bahamas.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 9/9/2010

Title:

mccartney obviously saw a policy he did not agree wit an rather than continue doin sumtin he dont approve of (considerin mr ingraham dont do nuttin but wat HE wan do) he choose to resign...its not quitting its standin up for what u believe in....stupid decisions lik da one he was against gat dis country swarmin wit illegal haitians rite nah!

Posted By: Roger On: 9/9/2010

Title: Get Real

In these kind of times, our country need men and women who are not quitters. How can a man who quit when he couldn't get his way, when he hasn't done anything of substance lead our country? I really don't understand why people think McCartney could do a better job than Ingraham or Christie. One thing you could say about both Ingraham and Christie...they are not whinners and certainly not spoilt brat quitters.

Posted By: ZM4ZV On: 9/9/2010

Title: contd

i mean sayin da plp jus lik braville, "runnin ran tryna get da popular vote" ....wat da hell...dat was low! mccartney need ta keep he head up cos at da end of da day ...considering he is so new to politics he is already more loved and respected dan da wide majority of dem who bin in dat house fa ages

Posted By: ZM4ZV On: 9/9/2010

Title:

this leading fnm strategist trowin all kinda low blow at branville...if u feel hubert is da best choice then that can be respected an may even be tru but braville mccartney is still an fnm...no need to be treatin him lik da enemy....i dont know bout yall but i smell jealousy!

Posted By: Dion On: 9/9/2010

Title: Hubert afraid of Branville

The fact that the FNM is not having the convention anymore is a sure indication that Hubert is afraid of Branville.

Posted By: BIM-C On: 9/8/2010

Title: fnm convention

REVERSE PSYCOLOGY? GOOD TRY. PERRY COULD NEVER BEAT HUBERT AND THE RECORD SHOWS. THE PLP GT KICKED OUT AFTERONETERM IN THE BEST OFTIMES. THANK GODFORTHE FNM IN THE WORST OF TIMES

Posted By: WILLIAM On: 9/8/2010

Title: W0W! WHAT B. S.!!

PYSCHE!! THESE PLP GUYS MUST BE INSANE!! HOW STUPID DO THEY REALLY THINK THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE ARE!! THEY WANT BRANVILLE, BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT HE IS MORE EASIER FOR THEM TO DEFEAT! THEY KNOW THAT PERRY CANNOT DEFEAT HUBERT, SO THEY WANT HUBERT OUT OF THE WAY, BECAUSE HE IS BLOCKING THEIR PATH TO THE PROVERBIAL COOKIE JAR!!

Posted By: Enough of the PLP and the Fools Who Believe Them On: 9/8/2010

Title: PLP Crap

What was the world economy doing in 2007 when the PLP lost? BOOMING!! Thus there butts were kicked out of governing by the people due to their ineptness. Do the PLP think the world economy today is the FNM's fault. Do these fools think the Bahamian economy would be booming if they were in power now? God help us if they were. Self-centered, egocentric and lazy MPs are in the PLP and have no idea how to even fix a flat tire let alone keep control in their own cabinet meetings. Go to Hell you asses and stay their until you clean up your own leadership.

Today's Poll

Question: The upcoming general election is expected to be a close race. Are you more likely to vote this year compared to previous elections? View Results