The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

THE September 16 general election was the most ho-hum since the formation of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in 1953. The low voter turnout attest to this fact.

Most qualified voters were not attracted to the leadership of either the PLP or the Free National Movement (FNM). Bahamian elections typically have over 85 percent voter participation.

I believe we’ll witness a surge of interest in politics in the event FNM Marco City MP Michael Pintard throws his hat in the leadership race for the official Opposition party in the November 27 National Convention and wins.

Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright are all hardworking MPs who have served their constituents well. I wouldn’t have an issue if any of these men are elected FNM leader, as they’re all talented, vibrant and relatively young.

Pintard as FNM leader would immediately re-energise the base of the party. He is a quintessential FNM, who has been actively involved in frontline politics since 1997 – when he ran on the Hubert Ingraham ticket.

Pintard is a motivational speaker, environmentalist, playwright, published author, businessman and a seasoned politician. He is charismatic, affable and an excellent orator who can think on his feet, without the aid of a well prepared script.

As a bipartisan philanthropist, Pintard has assisted thousands of struggling Grand Bahamians at his Marco City constituency office.

His hard work and extensive charity outreach is one reason he was able to withstand the massive tidal wave of anti-Minnis opposition which swept the FNM from office on September 16.

His re-election in Marco City is noteworthy, in that he’s the first incumbent to be re-elected since David Thompson of the FNM in 1997 in that area.

Indeed, Marco City residents knew that it would’ve been counterproductive to remove Pintard for an individual who wouldn’t have been half as productive as the incumbent.

FNMs, PLPs and swing voters all voted for Pintard. Unlike many newly elected MPs who promptly change their cell phone numbers immediately following election day, Pintard remained accessible to his constituents, despite his hectic schedule as a Cabinet minister.

As a Christian, Pintard has no political skeletons, much to the chagrin of his political foes.

I think Pintard is capable of bringing a vibrancy to the FNM unseen since 1990 when Hubert Ingraham became leader of the party. I view him as ideally suited for FNM leader. I hope FNM stalwart council members share my sentiments concerning Pintard and elect him as leader in the event he runs.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama.

November 1, 2021.