The Tribune

THE FNM will fight over every vote and work without pause in the lead-up to the election, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told supporters yesterday.

Mr Ingraham made the announcement at the FNM's Red Splash event at Montagu Foreshore.

"We cannot and will not take anything for granted. This will be a hard-fought contest. There is no time for complacency," Mr Ingraham said.

He reminded Bahamians that the FNM is a "one for all and all for one" party, whose members share a common purpose and face battle that is "greater than any differences among us".

Emphasising the party's inclusiveness, Mr Ingraham said: "We are the Big Tent party. We are rolling out the red carpet of welcome for all."

He added that support for the FNM's 2012 election campaign has been intensifying.

"Bahamians are catching the wave from, MICAL to Long Island and Ragged Island, Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador," Mr Ingraham said.

"The wave is gathering momentum from Eleuthera and Exuma to Andros and Abaco. The wave is building from Bimini to Grand Bahama and the length and breadth of New Providence."

Mr Ingraham also remarked on the huge turnout for yesterday's Red Splash, even as he poked fun at the opposition PLP's "Gold Rush" campaign slogan.

He said: "Anybody flying over the Bahamas must think that they are seeing the Red Sea. Don't forget what happened to those Egyptians, who tried to pass through the Red Sea in their Gold Rush chariots!"

FNM supporters filled the Montagu new park area and beach early yesterday, enjoying the festivities, live music and traditional Bahamian food and drinks.

"This is the biggest family fun day in the history of the Bahamas," Mr Ingraham said.

Before arriving in Nassau, he flew to Abaco to attend a Red Splash event in Treasure Cay. He later visted Freeport, Grand Bahama for another well-attended FNM event on Taino Beach. One FNM in Abaco said supporters on the island believe the party will sweep the elections as Mr Ingraham has proven himself over the past five years.

Another supporter in Freeport said the FNM has done its best to turn around the economy and if Mr Ingraham is given another term, Grand Bahama will make a rebound.

All yesterday's FNM events were very well attended.