By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday announced that John Bostwick II will replace former State Finance Minister Zhivargo Laing in the Senate.

The Senator had long been considered a front runner to succeed Mr Laing, whose resignation took effect on December 31.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference at his party’s headquarters, Dr Minnis said FNM officials had no easy task in choosing the new appointee out of 10 other candidates. He is the son of John Henry and the Hon Janet Bostwick, who was the first woman Member of Parliament, elected in 1977.

The FNM had, among other things, sought to pin-down a replacement that was able to assist in drafting long term goals for the country, Dr Minnis said.

“We wanted individuals,” he said, “whom we thought would be visionaries in terms of how to assist in moving the Bahamas forward, not in day-to-day management but in planning a proper Bahamas (through) 10  or 20 year planning. The executive body had submitted 11 names, four of which were women,

“What I admire about John Bostwick is not only is he young, but that he and many of the young people who are joining the party represent the future direction of the FNM. These are individuals, who with time, can take the party from strength to strength. I think Bostwick with time has a lot to offer. He is a visionary in that he believes in strategic planning. He believes in 20-year planning and moving forward.”

Mr Bostwick, who described himself as a “true child of the FNM”, said his appointment comes at a critical juncture in Bahamian history.

“We have come of age as a nation,” he said, “and we face the consequences of a reckless adolescence (and) decades of deficit spending in the absence of a sustainable national development plan (which) has led to repeated economic downgrades and a very real threat of further downgrade in months.

“I am a true child of the FNM and I am honoured to give voice to a nation of born free Bahamians.” 

Mr Bostwick was the FNM’s Bain and Grants Town candidate during the May 2012 general election but lost to National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and DNA hopeful Rodney Moncur. He is also the author of “Bahamas 20/20 Vision,” a 20-year national plan for the country.

As for the 10 other candidates, Dr Minnis said they will act in other capacities in the FNM.