The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Free National Movement (FNM) settled the score on Friday past and elected Dr Hubert Minnis as its undisputed leader. The unofficial vote count was 290 for Minnis and 108 for Butler-Turner.

The one-day convention has ended the public leadership struggle between the two, a struggle which has invariably weakened the FNM.

Time and time again their disagreements were played out in the press and at times this caused a lack of focus on national issues affecting the country.

The big question is what will Butler-Turner do now? Will she continue to undermine Minnis, sink into the political abyss, or support him fully now that the party has once again given him the mandate to lead?

How will she try to reinvent herself after such a sound defeat?

Butler-Turner made history as the first woman to contest for the leadership of a political party in the Bahamas and I am sure that she has paved the way for more women to challenge for the leadership of a political party in the future.

She has closed the political gap for women whether we admit it or not and she is to be commended.
Minnis too is to be congratulated on such a resolute victory and even though it is patently clear that the FNM wanted him and not Butler-Turner, there is no denying that Butler-Turner still has a lot of influence and a loyal following nationally. Minnis cannot rest on his laurels.

This is no time for him to be content because there is a plethora of issues affecting the country that needs immediate attention.

It is my hope that the FNM will now form a united front and over the next two years mount an effective opposition to the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

November 23, 2014.