FNM CHAIRMAN MICHAEL PINTARD.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard yesterday denounced former Cabinet member Tennyson Wells for calling Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn “racist”.
Mr Pintard said he was dismayed and shocked by the accusation, which Mr Wells said was based on an opinion Mr Lightbourn had about one of party leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ major proposals. The senator said that Mr Wells should spend his time critiquing the PLP rather than focusing on the FNM’s internal politics.
The statement appears to be an attempt by the FNM to both heal wounds and to dissociate itself with the toxic accusation of racism from Mr Wells, even though Mr Lightbourn himself told The Tribune on Sunday that he was first accused of having racist views during an FMN platform meeting.
The accusation of racism was thrown at Mr Lightbourn after he criticised Dr Minnis’ proposal to create tax free zones in Over-the-Hill communities, arguing that the policy would not spur growth in those communities. Mr Lightbourn had explained that when persons were so poor that they could not even pay their light bills, they needed more than tax free zones for businesses that they could not afford to create.
When asked about the issue yesterday, Mr Wells told Star 106.5 FM radio host Jeffrey Lloyd that he only said he thought Mr Lightbourn’s views were “racist.”
Regarding Mr Wells’ statements, Mr Pintard said: “This flippant and ill-considered comment is false and unhelpful. As a former Cabinet minister Mr Wells must understand the strong emotions such a statement could potentially stir up in people of all ethnicities…While we welcome him and thousands of Bahamians who share the view that a Christie-Davis led government is bad for The Bahamas we do not welcome or take lightly baseless and unjustified attacks on members of our team. The use of the word racist to describe an alleged opinion of Lightbourn is wrong on so many levels.”
Mr Pintard said the FNM is satisfied that Mr Lightbourn is not a racist and that the party does not tolerate racist people in its fold.
“There is nothing in the day-to-day behaviour or utterances that support that Richard has a racist bone in his body,” he said. “Secondly, to the best of my knowledge, Mr Lightbourn supports the leader’s vision for the revitalisation of urban centres not withstanding any differences in the details of how this is achieved. Thirdly, early differences of opinion on policy matters - which exist in all organisations and among the closest of allies - may be due to many different reasons. Therefore, it is sad that Tennyson Wells would resort to race-baiting by speculating that the reason for Richard’s initial difference of opinion on a policy matter is race-based.”
Nonetheless, Mr Pintard said Mr Lightbourn’s comments to the media in recent months have caused him “sleepless nights,” a recognition of the toll the party’s internal feud is having.
However, he said nothing Mr Lightbourn has said “falls anywhere close to what Tennyson Wells suggests is racism.”
“It is worth stressing that the FNM has led the national efforts to construct a multicultural society after years of race-based arguments dominating the political arena, first under the UBP and then under the PLP,” Mr Pintard said in a statement. “Our leadership has historically fought for the empowerment of disenfranchised Bahamians of African descent while not seeking to disenfranchise Bahamians of European descent. We have long recognised that a more prosperous and wholesome Bahamas requires all of our citizens working together regardless of their race, creed, gender or other differences. Unlike the PLP we do not believe that it is acceptable to misuse race as a basis for drumming up support for a cause or as a means of alienating anyone. We are not like the PLP. While we are not where we ought to be The Bahamas has come a long way in race relations and can’t afford to lose ground now. We are proud of all our members and supporters, those of all hues, and we ask them and all right thinking Bahamians to join us in a magnificent effort to lift up our nation to new heights of prosperity, equity and unity.”
Last evening, Mr Wells brushed off Mr Pintard’s criticism.
The former FNM MP said Mr Pintard is “in no position to reprimand me.”
“He could write whatever he wants to write,” he said on Star 106.5 FM.
Yesterday FNM parliamentarians, including Dr Minnis and Mr Lightbourn, took pictures as they toured the Nassau Straw Market.
Comments
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
QUOTE - When asked about the issue yesterday, Mr Wells told Star 106.5 FM radio host Jeffrey Lloyd that he only said he thought Mr Lightbourn’s views were “racist.”
Bey dis bey fool or what? Lightbourne cited that "persons (over the hill) were so poor that they could not even pay their light bills, they needed more than tax free zones for businesses that they could not afford to create."
He says persons are so poor...... NOT that persons are so Black!!!!
How is a comment on the economic standing of a geographically (not racially or ethnically or socially) related people racist?
I would say Mr. Wells is the racist with his knee jerk accusations
Emac 8 years, 2 months ago
Wells is never rationale about anything. The only thing that matters to him is quick money and how he could crook someone outta piece a land. And to think that he was trying to be PM at one point. I don't know where the Bahamas would be today if he had succeeded!
reverendrichlive 8 years, 2 months ago
You people can play with semantics call you want, but when 99.99% of the people in the area Lightbourn referred to are blacks... and he is white or Conky Joe, then that's racism. Michael is simple one of those blacks that will always come to the aid of their slave masters. Mr. Wells was right and accurate in his conclusions. masterichlkemp.com
DillyTree 8 years, 2 months ago
Reverend, did you even read the comments made before making your own remarks? Mr Lighbourn stated that making free zones to encourage business in these areas (yes, where the population is predominantly black) is idiotic, as so few of them can even pay their light bills, let alone have money to start a business. His point was that the people of those areas need more than just a "free zone", they need real help if they are going to create business opportunities. He is for economic growth and supports it, just not Minnis's lame attempt at "pie in the sky" ideas. How is that racist? If anything, this is a man who wants to help people -- whatever colour they are!
And if he were indeed a racist, then why would he donate his own time and money to freely help the people in East Street with food and fellowship each weekend? Think before you spout your hatred and your own racist views.
reverendrichlive 8 years, 2 months ago
Man you dummer than you look. History reveals countless white racist who did what you think is noble because he is white. The money that these crackes use to " help peope in East Street..." is simple the money that they or their forefathers stole from our people through force free labor. As for " fellowship each weekend "...again, history is on my side, it reveals how they used their brand of " CHRISTIANITY " to enslave blacks. But I expect you to come to the defense of your white slave masters. From your comments I can tell that you are " One of THEM...A HN ( HOUSE NEGRO)...GO AHEAD AN GRIN !
DillyTree 8 years, 2 months ago
SMH, Reverend, you're too far gone to reason with. Just from your remarks I can tell you're the racist one. God help you!
DillyTree 8 years, 2 months ago
It's wonderful that Mr. Pintard has addressed this absurd issue, but as the reputed leader of the FNM, where is Mr. Minnis's outrage and condemnation? What a poor leader this man is when he cannot even rise to the occasion to condemn such a vile accusation against one of his own party members made by another member.
Surely he must have learned something from Ms. Rolle's vitriolic outburst of not 2 weeks past? Nope? Once again, he only confirms his lack of leadership.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
Bey more and more Minnis is look like a sissy and a coward
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
Minnis is doing his best to LOSE this election and we the people will pay the price.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
by TalRussell
Emac 8 years, 2 months ago
I don't even have to read what this man has to say to know he is insincere about whatever he is saying. Pintard is just like the rest of the black wanna be elite Bahamians, who think that it is their time to reign and get their piece of the pie. In their minds, the white man done get he share and shouldn't even be in government. These kinds of people could give a hoot about the welfare of the people. Sad, sad for the Bahamas.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Tennyson gave the red party's chairman his shovel to dig himself an even deeper path to his BS.
Mission accomplished and the chairman has only shoveled half way down into the BS hole.
It ain't going be e-z to win no argument when your subject is from Montagu.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
The FNM should be proud of their ability to bring together both black and white Bahamians .... just look at their diverse leadership over the last 45 years ........... they have a proud legacy. The PLP cannot say the same .......... except for a few token white families
reverendrichlive 8 years, 2 months ago
Are you kidding, the entire FNM are " black tokens ", they are " FRONTING "for the small group of white boys...who, if they could you people would still be in physical slavery, I say, " physical slavery " because many of you are still in MENTAL SLAVERY ! THE PLP has always been and remains the party of the people and for the people. The FNM REPRESENTS the loyal " HOUSE NEgroes "...enough said...I HAVE SPOKEN ! www.masterichlkemp.com
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 2 months ago
The statement should be made by the "Party Leader" and not the Chairman. A way out of the party must be found for Minnis and whoever supports him. I agree with Shirley and Deveau Street - We need a convention within the next 30 days. Then we can move forward with a new leader to get rid of the real problem.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades all must be well under red tent?
Didn't you read Loretta's most recent "convincing" position about how she after being defeated (3-1) at convention by Minnis - immediately went about the business red party of "honouring" the "will" of the red shirts convention delegates?
Publius 8 years, 2 months ago
Can someone be kind enough to wake me when real news becomes headline news? Appreciate it, because it has long since been obvious that any nobody in front of a microphone with an agenda can qualify for media domination. And I'm referring to Wells by the way.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 2 months ago
Meanwhile Minnis is pleased and grateful for Tennyson's endorsement.
I wonder if Minnis offered Wells AG or Foreign Affairs???
EasternGate 8 years, 2 months ago
Foreign Affairs or sordid affairs?
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