The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE question, "Which opposition party has the better leader" was recently posed on Facebook by a DNA candidate, and I find it very interesting because the answer to the question will definitely determine the support that each party can garner and keep over the next five years leading up to the next general election.

I would like to make the comparison here. Both Dr Minnis and Branville McCartney were elected to parliament for the first time in the general elections of 2007.

Dr Minnis was immediately given the post of Minister of Health, a post that he held throughout the entire five-year period and Branville McCartney was given the post of Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and then subsequently moved to Immigration under Brent Symonette.

It would be remiss of me to say that they did not both do an excellent job in executing their duties as constituency representatives. In my opinion, they were both equally as aggressive in seeing that their constituencies were not left unmanned while they fulfilled their Ministerial duties and they put together teams of persons who worked consistently at catering to the needs of the residents.

Dr Minnis was able to cover a wider scope of the community because he was forward thinking enough to strategically utilise the technology of the internet, "The Killarney Voice" online, bulk text messaging and telenotifications to stay in touch with residents. I believe he had an advantage because of it.

I believe the major differences would have to be made in their performances as Ministers of the government. It appears to me that Branville McCartney seemed to be on an aggressive mission, and hell bent to "prove himself". He saw to it that the spotlight was always on him. He seemed quite comfortable standing up to his leader publicly, which showed strength but it also showed disrespect. Dr Minnis on the other hand, quietly went about his duties, always proactive, always consistent, always on time to every event, always present and always with a plan. He always sought the opinions of others and asked advice before making a move. There were times when had to stand up to Hubert Ingraham, but he was always a team player and did it behind closed doors. He did not rant and rave like a spoiled kid or walk away when the going got tough. He was loyal. He hung in there, and that is what leaders do.

One of the signs of a true leader is that he sees his work as a selfless service toward a higher purpose. When it comes to taking the credit, he makes himself invisible, but he is the first to answer at the time of need and he will never shrink away in fear. A true leader wants nothing more than to empower and give people pride, to make people stand on their own as leaders in their own right, instead of trying to blind us with his own brilliance. A true leader reflects our own light back to us, that we may see ourselves anew.

The answer to the question "Which opposition party has the better leader" is crystal clear to me. Dr Minnis is without a doubt the better leader. The most humble is almost always the better leader. Remember, Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.

We know that there are some who feel as if they are more deserving of the leadership of the FNM Party. Clearly the powers that be thought otherwise.

I say to all DNA's, come on over and join us in the Free National Movement! The stage has been set. Dr Minnis is currently on an unstoppable and divinely ordained course. He is a better leader than Branville McCartney and will be without a shadow of a doubt, the next Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

LORRAINE GIBSON

Nassau,

May 15, 2012.