The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the Free National Movement has struggled to keep its internal turmoil out of public view, FNM supporter Tennyson Wells says the Progressive Liberal Party is equally fractured.

The former Cabinet minister made his comments to talk show host Jeffrey Lloyd on Star 106.5 FM yesterday.

“The FNM is no more fractured than the PLP,” Mr Wells said when asked to explain his support for a party in turmoil.

“What is happening is that the FNM is having their divisions played out in public. But that may be better in the long run than having those internal conflicts and can’t deal with them internally or publicly.

“Inside the PLP, from what I gather, the PLP is a fractured party. When the time (comes) to put boots on the ground, they’ll be in a worse position than the FNM because so many (people) are so disappointed in the results they got after the last election. Most people are suffering. (The) PLP says they represent poor and downtrodden but those people are suffering the most.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie’s decision to remain leader of the PLP has reportedly angered some in the party, but officials have largely rallied behind him, expressing confidence in his leadership and thereby creating roadblocks for those hoping to soon succeed him as leader.

Both Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis have expressed interest in becoming leader of the PLP.

Mr Wells also offered withering criticism of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, saying the parliamentarian doesn’t have the temperance to be leader of the country.

“In my opinion she is too intemperate,” Mr Wells said. “You have to have self control (to be leader).”

Mrs Butler-Turner lost her bid to unseat Dr Hubert Minnis as party leader at the FNM’s convention in 2014, however she still has considerable support from the public.

Despite Dr Minnis’ resounding win, he still faces criticism from some over his leadership abilities. There have been calls from persons in the FNM for a new convention early this year to settle the leadership issue.

Mr Wells, a former FNM minister, who is no longer a member of the party, recently said he supports Dr Minnis as FNM leader and believes the doctor has ideas and policies that will benefit poor and middle-class Bahamians.