The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FNM leader Michael Pintard yesterday rebuked former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for publicly urging the party to “find someone who could win”, while revealing that he believes he is the best person to lead the party.

Mr Pintard said Mr Ingraham chose the wrong setting to raise questions about the party’s leadership, even as he acknowledged that the FNM must determine whether its leader can return it to power.

Appearing on Guardian Radio’s Z Live with Zhivargo Laing, Mr Pintard said his respect for Mr Ingraham remained unchanged, but made clear that he believed the former leader’s intervention was misplaced.

“Had I been the former leader who’s won multiple times, who understands the dynamics of politics,” Mr Pintard said. “At a ceremony that celebrates me and celebrate what the team has accomplished, I would know and I would not make those comments in that setting.”

He said it was “not the appropriate setting for those comments”, particularly because Mr Ingraham had other opportunities to raise concerns with a party that continues to hold him in high regard.

Mr Pintard was responding to Mr Ingraham’s address last Wednesday during the FNM’s 34th anniversary celebration of its 1992 general election victory.

Mr Ingraham told supporters that the party needed leadership capable of inspiring people rather than trying to force loyalty and urged members to “find someone who could win”.

He pointed to former FNM leaders Sir Kendal Isaacs and Cecil Whitfield, describing them as good men who nevertheless recognised when they could not carry the party to victory.

“Your job is to find someone who could win,” Mr Ingraham said. “Whoever that is.”

Some party insiders interpreted the remarks as a sign that Mr Ingraham does not believe Mr Pintard is the leader to take the FNM back to power.

Mr Pintard, the first opposition leader in nearly 30 years to take his party into a general election and lose, agreed that the FNM needs a leader capable of winning and said that is why the party holds conventions.

However, he suggested Mr Ingraham’s remarks were misplaced at a time when the country is dealing with ongoing blackouts, concerns about financial transparency and other problems.

Mr Pintard said he has accepted responsibility for the election loss and conducted his own assessment of what he could have done differently, including improving his communication and raising his national profile.

He said he does not need others to tell him that the party must assess whether its leader can win, although he accepts that advice.

Mr Pintard also made clear that he would decide his own political future and “no one else”.

He said he has not yet announced whether he intends to remain leader because he wants the party’s election post-mortem to run its course.

Mr Pintard said that process is underway and includes an examination of the leadership position and the extent to which the party’s actions or failures contributed to its defeat.

Despite the election result, he said he still believes he is the best option for the party.

Mr Pintard portrayed himself as a party loyalist who has repeatedly put the FNM’s interests ahead of his own political advancement.

He recalled being “plucked” from East Grand Bahama and sent twice to contest the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador constituency against Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

Mr Pintard said he did not complain because he believed Mr Ingraham was the best leader for the FNM at the time, even if those assignments were not necessarily best for his own political career.

He also pointed to his role in helping to run Dr Hubert Minnis’ campaign before the FNM’s 2017 general election victory.

Mr Pintard described his own leadership as democratic and said he has allowed multiple voices to help shape the party’s direction.

He acknowledged, however, that he needs to spend more time engaging with Bahamians so they can get to know him better.

Mr Pintard said he has no difficulty with questions about whether he is capable of putting the party in a winning position, arguing that rebuilding the FNM’s brand and holding the Davis administration accountable are part of preparing for the next general election.

He also dismissed criticism that the election defeat had left him a lame duck.

“I will make the determination of what I do next,” he said. “But while I am here, the hell with what The Tribune talking about or what the Guardian talking about in terms of lame duck and what’s not. My head is unbowed, save and except when I pray to God. I am a soldier for the Bahamian people.”

“I am more committed to the success of The Bahamas than I am to the FNM. I’m more committed to the FNM’s success than I am to my personal advancement. That’s the kind of person I am, and I’ve demonstrated it over time.”

Speculation over a future leadership contest has continued since the election.

FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, the former St Barnabas MP, and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson are being watched as possible contenders, while The Tribune understands interest has also grown around Long Island MP Dr Andre Rollins following his fiery contributions in the House of Assembly.

None has publicly declared an intention to seek the leadership.