Peter Turnquest
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PETER Turnquest, the deputy leader of the Free National Movement and former Deputy Prime Minister will not receive his party’s nomination for the next general election.
The East Grand Bahama MP revealed this in a note over the weekend to constituents. It said: “By now you would have no doubt heard the report that I have been advised by the party leader that I will not receive the nomination for East Grand Bahama.”
“I assume that council will give final confirmation or otherwise on that decision at its next sitting.”
The revelation comes a little over two months since Mr Turnquest resigned as deputy prime minister and minister of finance after he was named in a Supreme Court lawsuit relating to an alleged $27m fraud. He is not listed as a defendant in the matter, however, and has maintained his innocence.
Mr Turnquest declined to comment on the nomination issue yesterday, saying he will make a statement after “final decisions have been made”.
FNM chairman Carl Culmer also declined to comment, saying the matter has not yet come before the party’s executive council.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis initially said he does not discuss the party’s business.
However last night he issued a statement saying the party will have a mix of new entrants and incumbents in the next election.
“Some people who ran in 2017 will not run in the next general election,” he said.
“The party is grateful for the service of all incumbents who are moving on. They have been instrumental in helping our administration advance policies to empower Bahamians.
“There will be much public speculation as decisions are made as to who will and who will not run. Out of respect and courtesy, our party will first privately inform those incumbents who will not be nominated again before we make public announcements.
“The FNM is a big-tent party. There are many pathways to service beyond frontline candidacy. It is our intention to draw on the expertise of some of our former candidates in various ways in the future should the people again give us their confidence as their government.”
Dr Minnis’ statement came as sources have told The Tribune that at least three other incumbent FNM MPs who want to run again are seen as vulnerable enough to be denied a nomination.
This does not include Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, who is widely expected to be denied a nomination after castigating his party for much of the past several years, nor does it include Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands, whose future with the party is unclear.
News that Mr Turnquest will not receive a nomination prompted mixed reactions from FNM supporters.
Some defended the move, insisting Mr Turnquest’s legal issues would be baggage on the party as it tries to pin corruption narratives on the Progressive Liberal Party.
Others, however, complained that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis simply moved to oust a potential rival with whom he did not enjoy a close relationship.
Elected deputy leader of the Free National Movement in 2014 during the party’s tumultuous time in opposition, Mr Turnquest stood by Dr Minnis’ side when Loretta Butler-Turner led a revolt against the Killarney MP in 2016. Despite this, Mr Turnquest was not in the prime minister’s circle of most trusted colleagues.
Members of the FNM’s East Grand Bahama Constituency Association appeared to be caught off guard by the news over the weekend.
One executive said he needed to get more information and to “understand the whole thing,” adding that it “all happened so fast”.
Derick King, the chairman of that constituency branch, declined to comment, saying: “It’s a fluid situation, I have no comment at this time.”
After news about Mr Turnquest broke, observers quickly speculated about the future of the former health minister.
Dr Sands, who resigned as minister last May, has been critical of the Minnis administration.
Dressed in FNM paraphernalia, he walked around the Elizabeth constituency with a group of nearly 15 people on Saturday.
A note that was circulated alongside photos of the walkabout said: “Dr Duane Sands, MP, on the ground in Elizabeth today speaking with constituents. Residents expressed their support for the member of Parliament as he updated constituents on ongoing initiatives and plans in the community.”
Dr Sands declined to comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, the FNM party could ratify more candidates this week, The Tribune understands, having confirmed 17 candidates last week.
Among the frontrunners for a nomination is Nicole Martin, the former head of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, in Nassau Village.
Comments
moncurcool 3 years, 2 months ago
Their is just one incumbent who definitely needs to be FNM list not to be given a nomination - that's Minnis.
Clearly with Minnis doing this he is trying to purge the party of any opposition to him. it shows he does not understand what is leadership.
Great leaders never surround themselves with yes people. They always ensure that they have people around who disagree with them to help them become that much better.
viewersmatters 3 years, 2 months ago
Goooooooddddd!!! This is a true blessing for the Bahamas.. My prayers have been answered, amennnnnn. This man will surely not be missed, this man is strictly antiBahamain. His only way of govenance is by putting heavy taxes on the poor people while giving tax breaks for him and his wealthy friends. Tttssssssss he needs to stay gone. His first action into office " increase VAT to 12%, exempt taxes on GADDAMNNNN AIR F##%ING AIRPLANE AND WASHING MACHINES"... WHAT F÷÷€ING BAHAMAIN CAN AFFORT A DAMN AIRPLANE This man pissed all over the Bahamain people. Aint carma a sweet bi#$%. Be gone and stay gone
Hoda 3 years, 2 months ago
I live in his constituency, I don’t consider him to be a stellar MP. I can’t say that I am disappointed. I never considered him a potential candidate for PM. I am excited to see who will come and what their ideas are for the future.
proudloudandfnm 3 years, 2 months ago
If the FNM don't drop Minnis they better get used to PM Davies come next election...
tribanon 3 years, 2 months ago
Sands will likely be running as an independent candidate for Elizabeth Estates because Minnis is so afraid of not only him but also certain very powerful lodge brothers who are very loyal to Sands.
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
Obviously, KP's last dirty executed fight against Comrade Sister Loretta, all but took the fight right out of him?
Comrades scoffed eight-months back when I sat down at the keyboard press send with my prediction that eight considered be amongst the top ranks incumbent House-elected Redcoat MP's, will be chopped. But are they laughin' now that the Chopper's choppin' has now confessed that his choppin' ain't complete, yet? Papa Doc, all homegrown, the Coloniser!
Shakehead a once Upyeahvote you just couldn't write this have been any more accurate as to the latest one-man's governing ideolog for the Redcoats political machinery, Twice for Not?
birdiestrachan 3 years, 2 months ago
roc wit doc and Mr: Culmer are the ones that should be dumped.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 2 months ago
empower Bahamians>is he serious. the FNM empowers the rich. the post office deal. shipping port and the cruise port. They put their bigfoot on the backs of the poor. The shipping Port the 11 families are guaranteed 10 % on their investment or they can increase the shipping cost. it hurts poor people.
VAT AT 60 % HURTS POOR PEOPLE.
moncurcool 3 years, 2 months ago
100% VAT when the PLP introduced it was even worst. LEt's be factual all around
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
Colony's attorney general, Comrade Carl Worcestershire, is googling for the publisher's latest issue of SuckEm Mr. Minnis Up's From Em's Toes to Em's Earloops.
BONEFISH 3 years, 2 months ago
As expected. He could not hope to secure a nomination with those allegations hanging over his head. The FNM has a somewhat higher standard than the PLP.
He was a poor minister of finance. The campaign general of a current sitting senior FNM cabinet minister said that. In Canada, Australia or the UK, the media would already done a series of investigative expose on him.
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
Suggest we colony's school system to be doing a better job at educating political parties candidates, like Mr. Minnis, to a key clause of the job description that the prime minister's portfolio, doesn't come with tenure.
Havin prepped the Redshirts for the loss of the general election for all the Abaco and Grand Bahama House seats - you'd think em's sit small, not wanting to be leadership tested? A revolt is a comin?
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
All of them sat down and said nothing as Minnis set himself up as maximum leader. Now he's picking them off one by one, setting himself up to be the strongman in parliament should the fnm win. Who knows who will win the election. What I do know is the country has never been in greater danger.
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