The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

LATE last month, the former Prime Minster, Hubert A Ingraham, was interviewed by one of the local television stations wherein he was asked if he was returning to frontline politics. His response to that question went something like this: “I will respond when I have an announcement to make.”

This was shortly after the swearing-in of two Free National Movement Senators, Monique Gomez and Dr Duane Sands.

From that comment I got the impression that he is obviously considering a return to frontline politics, otherwise he could have said, as he said on May 7, 2012, that he has retired from politics and will spend time with his grandchildren.

In an article in The Nassau Guardian on February 1, 2016 under the headline “Ingraham not coming back”, when asked if he would return to frontline politics, he is quoted as saying “No. Absolutely none. Absolutely none.” Further on, when asked whether there were forces seeking to convince him to return, he is quoted as saying “oh, that happens every day. But no. I don’t propose to come back.

Should we now assume he is considering going back on his word again, as he did in 2005 when he challenged Tommy Turnquest for the leadership, after staying away from all FNM activities for three years?

It appears that Mr Ingraham only wants to use the FNM brand to achieve his ambition of being Prime Minister of the Bahamas. When he is defeated in a general election, he stays away until the next election is due and then he makes a re-appearance so that he can again be Prime Minister. It is little wonder that he refused to comment when asked on television about his plans.

It is the strong belief of many FNMs that he wants to re-emerge to challenge Dr Hubert Minnis for the leadership of the party. We hope that this time he “says what he means and means what he says” when he said “No. Absolutely none. Absolutely none” on the possibility of returning to frontline politics.

I believe that he served this country with distinction during his three non-consecutive terms, but there has to be a time when it ends.

Since majority rule in 1967, The Bahamas had three persons that served as Prime Minister. During the same period the United States of America has had nine Presidents serve. There has to be other persons that can lead The Bahamas.

Allow us to try someone different, Mr Ingraham.

A CONCERNED CITIZEN

July 10, 2016