The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

IN AN historic night on Saturday, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner was voted deputy leader of the Free National Movement during the party’s convention – making her the first woman to ever hold that position.

Accepting her win with “deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude” the newly appointed deputy leader paid homage to those who came before her and stressed the importance of renewal and rebuilding for the party.

“I am aware of the historic nature of my election today as the first woman to serve as deputy leader of our great party, but what is more important and even more historic is the torch of leadership that has now been passed to this new generation of leadership in the FNM,” she said to a crowd of cheering supporters clad in red.

“You can be assured that I will seek to honour the trust that you have reposed in me and I will seek to live up to the ideals of our founders and generations of freedom fighters in collaboration with our leader and each and every one of you.”

Mrs Butler-Turner also pledged to “build on” and remind the nation of the “stellar record” of the FNM.

“The task before us now is one of renewal and one of rebuilding. We must renew our mission, our ideals, we must rebuild our party – not just in order to secure a victory at the polls, we must seek to rebuild our party because we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are the better party for the Bahamas,” she said.

“We are the party of integrity, we are the party of ideas, we are the party of good governance and accountability, we are the party of genuine care and compassion, especially for the least among us, and we are the party that has demonstrated our commitment to equality and the advancement of the rights of Bahamian women.”

Despite losing the general election, Mrs Butler-Turner noted the “hearts and aspirations” of FNM party members remain undefeated.

“Our heads are unbowed, our spirits remain strong and our hope will never die,” she said, calling on party supporters to lift up their heads, wipe away tears, and stand proud.

“We do have work to do,” she declared. “Our task is bigger than holding the government accountable, we have to rebuild and expand our support in this country and more importantly we must inspire this nation. The tasks before us are great and they are urgent and they are compelling but the FNM has always risen to the challenge. Today is no different, we have intrepid and indomitable spirits.

“I am ready to fight. I am ready to fight for the empowerment of every Bahamian child, I am ready to fight for those who will seek to abuse the privilege of government through corrupt practices of victimisation. I am ready to fight for the future of our Bahamas.”

Former FNM candidates Charles Maynard, Monique Gomez, Darron Cash and Dr Duane Sands became chairman, deputy treasurer, and deputy chairman, respectively.