The Tribune

THE Free National Movement is projecting that it will sweep the island of Grand Bahama in the upcoming general elections. The party claims its campaign message and leadership record will earn victories in all five constituencies on the island. Highlighting their huge turn-out at the opening of their West Grand Bahama and Bimini office over the weekend, FNM strategists and campaign organisers said they fully expect to "shut out" the PLP and the DNA. "The only area where we saw any real concern was in High Rock about two weeks ago because of some internal issues there. "Some people were not pleased with how (former Minister of Housing) Kenneth Russell may have been handled but Maurice Moore (a former member of parliament for the area) has brought calm to that situation," one strategist explained on condition of anonymity. Kenneth Russell was asked to resign by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham last year, after being accused of discussing confidential matters outside the Cabinet. The FNM strategist said the governing party has also benefited from the poor campaign run by the opposition. "The PLP has not caught up with any new style of campaigning. They are utilising their old style of personal attacks and this fire-extinguisher incident is only the latest of a long list of examples." He was referring to the alleged attack on a FNM motorcade by PLP supporters, in which a number of people were sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher. "And I want the public to take notice, not one leader in the PLP, either the deputy, Philip 'Brave' Davis, or the actual leader Perry Christie, have come out to condemn these actions. "They are by inference condoning it with their silence. It should be condemned in the strongest terms, and yet there is silence. "But we will remain on message, like we always have, and continue to do what is in the best interest of all Bahamians," he said. With the FNM now representing all but one seat in Grand Bahama (West End and Bimini), the party insider added that they are seeking to correct this "oversight" this election cycle.