By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for Bain Town and Grants Town Rodney Moncur believes he is the best choice for Free National Movement (FNM) chairman because the party lacks “a fighting machinery” and needs more people who “connect” to grassroots Bahamians.
The nomination process for a new FNM chairman ended yesterday, with Mr Moncur and former Minister of Local Government Sidney Collie as the only candidates.
Speaking to The Tribune moments after officially offering himself to contest the post, Mr Moncur criticised the FNM and the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), saying neither organisation had presented adequate strategies to prevent crime or pin down issues within the law that prevent murderers from being executed.
Last night, the party released a statement announcing that the FNM was pleased to announce that nominees for the position of chairman included only two candidates.
“Essentially based on my political experience for the last 42 years, I think what is lacking is a chairman who has the capacity and the ability to organise the party and take the fight to the Progressive Liberal Party,” Mr Moncur told The Tribune.
“The party lacks a fighting machinery and I think I have that capacity and this is fundamentally it.”
Asked whether he was concerned about criticism of his loyalty, having been a DNA candidate for the Bain and Grants Town constituency in the 2012 general election, Mr Moncur was adamant that he was not a turncoat. He said he was a Bahamian who was greatly concerned about the well being of this country.
“I am not a turncoat. I joined the Free National Movement. I could give you a world of criticism of the DNA. But if you look at all of Bahamian politics there are people who have been with all parties. So this has to do with what is in the best interest of the country.
“We have murders taking place. The FNM or the PLP haven’t presented a strategy or ensured the pediments that prevent murderers from being executed have been removed from the law. Ultimately I just think this party needs more of the grassroots people to make connections,” he added.
His nomination application was accompanied by a letter which read: “I am a financial member of the Free National Movement residing in the Bain Town and Grants Town constituency.
“I hereby submit my nomination which was signed by Meritorious Council Member Kenneth ‘Chess’ Wood and Council Member Nesbitt Higgins for the office of national chairman of the Free National Movement.”
Before joining the DNA, Mr Moncur, JP, headed the now defunct Workers’ Party.
This follows former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson’s admission to The Tribune that he expects the next FNM chairman to be someone favoured by FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
Acting Chairman Brensil Rolle told The Tribune on Sunday that he will not run for the post. Yesterday he said he planned to focus all of his attention on his 2017 election bid.
Mr Rolle was appointed as interim chairman when former Senator Michael Pintard resigned last month.
The chairmanship battle comes as some in the FNM continue to have concerns about Dr Minnis stewardship of the party, with Mr Watson telling this newspaper recently: “I don’t know how much more of this we can take.”
A vote is expected to take place at the FNM’s headquarters during a special council meeting on April 14 at 7.30pm.
The FNM will have a full convention in November.
Comments
licks2 8 years ago
Boy this ger be goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood if Rodney get elected as Chairman for the FNM!!
The HAI clan just will be outside-looking in for sure!
One HAI person. . .and the good Doc throw in his "jungaliss" pitbull to chew-up aal the carpet and stuff. . .this ger be good!!
Emac 8 years ago
Lord have mercy! Why did this country even become independent in the first place. It is obvious that we will all be wondering in the wilderness, lost without any direction or hope of a brighter tomorrow after 2017. The bright, strong,young potential leaders have all abandoned the Bahamas and moved to a place where their talents are appreciated.
proudloudandfnm 8 years ago
The FNM is completely void of talent. How the hell did this happen?
Minnis is the worst leader we have ever had. He must be replaced ASAP.
I don't know who makes up the central council but everyone of them must be fired and replaced.
The party cannot continue as it is.
EasternGate 8 years ago
Minnis is a huge liability
sheeprunner12 8 years ago
This is a Catch 22 situation ........... Collie vs Moncur ......... FNM is in a lose-lose situation because both candidates lack the gravitas to pull this fractured party together ........ I predict that the FNM will NOT survive the summer as a viable party ....... there is going to be a 1977-like split
jackbnimble 8 years ago
If this "negro" can be elected Chairman of the FNM, there is hope for all of us!
TalRussell 8 years ago
by TalRussell
licks2 8 years ago
Now. . .yinna people saying that Rodney can't be Chairman of yall party? Pray tell me why the heck one of you did not go fro the job? You all had the time and I guess the talent (based on how you all call everybody except yall group a hick, dumb or some other low brow thing) to step forward and nominate.
I can see why the good Doc don't listen to you all. . .you all think that only your group is "entitled" to anything! Nobody outside of "yinna" circle has any right to be in yall party aye?
If half of you had the "social honesty" that Mr. Moncur has this nation could be better served! The Chairmanship was open to all FNMs! So, in yall minds Mr. Moncur is not an FNM? And quit an intelligent one I might add!
Yall really need to stop and check that kind of thinking at the door. . .THIS NATION IS THE PROPERTY OF ALL BAHAMIANS! NOW YINNA "LIMPING" PARTY BELONG TO YINNA. . .WE IN THE PUBLIC HAVE THINGS TO DO BESIDES LISTENING TO YALL FNM CARRY ON LIKE GREEDY CHILDREN! GO RODNEY. . .DO US PROUD NOW!!! LOL!
Economist 8 years ago
Why can't they elect a young forward thinking person. Maybe the position should be filled by a woman. Women get things done much more than most men.
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrade Economists are you saying Minnis did well by his female senate appointments? Whatever happened to the red Senator Hunt?
Had Loretta been smart, she'd have climbed her way back up the leadership ladder, by applying for da position party chairman.
And, whats-up with the Pintard replacement/apology senator?
Economist 8 years ago
They were picked by Minnis, what else would you expect?
licks2 8 years ago
Then get da dang woman and tell her to put fort herself. . .IT IS FREE FOR ALL. . .SO STOP TALKIN FOOLISHNESS. . .
birdiestrachan 8 years ago
Rodney is good for the FNM Party. 6 0f one I/2 dozen of the other. what is the difference? He will be the FNM at its best. That is who they are No more no less. Donald Trump is a true Republican , yet they try to run away from him because he talks what they all have on their minds.
Emac 8 years ago
Surely you are not comparing the Republican to the FNM?
Honestman 8 years ago
The FNM has a death wish. What else is there to conclude?
themessenger 8 years ago
Truly scraping the bottom of the political barrel or should that be garbage can?
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