By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE an unsuccessful run in the 2012 general elections, former FNM candidate Cassius Stuart said he is readying himself to be a serious contender for the party's leadership when conventions are held in the coming weeks.

The party is slated to assemble for a one-day convention on May 26. At that time, a leader, deputy leader, and chairman among other positions will be finalised.

Speaking optimistically to The Tribune yesterday on his future plans, Mr Stuart said he is seeking guidance through prayer on which position he would best be suited for.

He said: "I am praying now to find out exactly where I should be, but I don't see myself coming to the FNM to take a back seat. I know that I will have a role in the party."

Although the party was defeated in a landslide victory by the PLP on Monday, Mr Stuart said the FNM will use the next five years to establish a clear philosophy and restructure itself.

"We have a great opportunity to make the FNM what it should have been, a party of great philosophy and roots. We have to begin to crystallise our philosophy so the average Bahamian knows what it is and will not be easily swayed when new, wishy-washy party's come along."

Mr Stuart said the party has also viewed this defeat as a chance to focus on its weaknesses.

"We may have needed this loss so that we could zero in on the deficiencies of this party. While on the campaign trail we depended heavily on the strengths. If we can fix the things we lack, we can mushroom into an even better party.

Among the party's shortfalls, he said, were an inability to draw the youth vote and failing to be known by the public as a party for Bahamians.

Mr Stuart was in the running for the Bamboo Town seat against independent candidate Craig Butler, Bahamas Constitution Party leader Ali McIntosh, DNA leader Branville McCartney and Renward Wells of the PLP who ultimately won the seat. Mr Wells will take his oath as the new Member of Parliament when the House reconvenes on May 23.

Prior to the historic win in that constituency the PLP had not been successful in having a candidate elected to the House of Parliament.

Early on, political pundits deemed the race one to watch - especially with regard to Mr Stuart, the former leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, and Mr Wells, the former leader of the National Democratic Party.

They joined the FNM and PLP respectively last year.

After winning the seat in the 1982 General Election, the PLP had not been successful in re-electing a candidate for that constituency.

Tennyson Wells, who was first an FNM member of Parliament and later an independent, represented the constituency from 1987 to 2002.