UPDATED - FNM CONVENTION: DR HUBERT MINNIS WINS PARTY LEADERSHIP VOTE

• UPDATE: A victorious Dr Hubert Minnis has paid tribute to his opponent, Loretta Butler-Turner, saying “I say to Loretta ‘I salute you’. I want to say to Loretta publicly and on national radio and that ‘you are formidable and like your grandfather, fearless. Your tenacity and clarity of purpose have no doubt inspired many to commit themselves to our nation to replace this government. Loretta, you have made me stronger. I say there is a place for you in the FNM’.”

Statement from Loretta Butler-Turner: “I congratulate Dr Hubert Minnis on his election as Party Leader, and Peter Turnquest on his election as Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement. I pledge to them my support as we work together to mount an effective Opposition and prepare to defeat the PLP at the next general election.

“I also extend congratulations to all who have been elected to office at our National Convention, including Chairman, Michael Pintard.

“The contest for the leadership is over, having demonstrated once again the solid democratic principles upon which our movement was founded and nurtured. Our shared task now is unity. As the Official Opposition the FNM has an essential constitutional role to play and a challenge to prepare for the responsibility of governing. I pledge my full support in these efforts in a spirit of unity and collegiality.

“I wish to thank the many delegates who voted for me as well as the many FNMs who supported my candidacy. I thank also those who worked so diligently and enthusiastically on my behalf, including my campaign team, benefactors and all those who lent their support, best wishes and prayers.

“I am grateful for the support of so many constituents from Long Island, whom I am privileged to serve as their Member of Parliament.

“And of course, I am enormously grateful to my husband, Ed, to my daughter and son, and to my wider family and dear friends for their support, love and encouragement.

“I close my campaign with a sense of enormous gratitude. I will continue to vigorously lend my voice and support as a member of the FNM’s parliamentary team and to offer to my party and the Bahamian people ideas for a better Bahamas.”

• The results are in from the FNM convention at Holy Trinity’s Convention Centre in Stapleton Gardens.

• Dr Hubert Minnis has won the vote for party leader, defeating Loretta Butler-Turner.

• Peter Turnquest has beaten Dr Duane Sands and Darron Cash to become deputy leader.

• Michael Pintard has been elected party chairman.

More news as it comes in.

Comments

duppyVAT says...

Thank God its over ......... now you have a two year lead on the PLP ............. they have serious internal issues but they dare not call a Convention.

Loretta , darling we still love you. Continue to represent your Long Island people and be about building the FNM base and winning the disenchanted voters.

Strong democracies are built by parties like the FNM ........... Kleptocracies are built by parties like the PLP .................. Anarchies are built by parties like the DNA.

Posted 21 November 2014, 8:03 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

................................. SURPRISE .... SURPRISE ..... SURPRISE .... NOT ! .......................

It Is official.....Dr. Minnis Wins By A Landslide Victory.

What jackass would vote for a candidate that is ON RECORD AS AN MP describing Bahamians as a drug and alcohol dependent unreliable people therefore justifying the FNM policy of bringing in foreigners to fill jobs Bahamians qualify for?

BLT really expected STUPID, DRUG & ALCOHOL DEPENDENT UNRELIABLE Bahamians to vote AGAINST THEMSELVES by making her leader of the FNM and possibly the country???

How ignorant or selfish must an individual be to be unable to dispense free social services aid to unemployed starving people during the worse recession in living memory?

Why the hell would ANYONE vote for an individual that consider themselves so educated above all the rest that they must continually blow their own horn to drive the point home that they are "intellectually superior" to all but GOD himself? ...... N-O-T ?

Learn PLENTY BIG HEAPS OF HUMILITY BLT..But first GO TO HELL with your BULL-SHIT!

Posted 21 November 2014, 8:15 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Well good for you!!!!!!!! Continue believing in HAM!!!!!!!!!! See you in 2017.

Posted 21 November 2014, 8:29 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

...................................................... Believing In HAM ? ................................................

Don't make me die from laughter....The FNM as a party were utterly decimated by Hubert Ingraham and cannot possibly become relevant again for AT LEAST two election cycles.

NO ONE will soon forget the cutass, blows and utter contempt the FNM bestowed upon Bahamians their last term in office.

Both PLP & FNM have failed miserably EVERYWHERE POSSIBLE.

The Bahamas will have a whole new leadership emerge for 2017 !

Posted 21 November 2014, 8:40 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Well good luck with your idealism ............. or DNA??????? I dont see anything else emerging beyond PLP, FNM and DNA. If you have more information....... please speak now or stop making up empty rhetoric.

Posted 21 November 2014, 8:45 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

What you can't see is usually what bites you in the ass the hardest!

Posted 21 November 2014, 10:23 p.m. Suggest removal

Regardless says...

After the weekend long feasting BLT retreats to rest her nerve and disappointment, she will have the next week to reflect on how she now deals with the Mangrove Bush deity of the FNM in Long Island. Whilst this group supports the FNM publicly, they do love the contracts the PLP throw their way. However, given her ladyship's new situation and Mangrove Bush's demand for access to power, trips beyond the confines of Cape Santa Maria are now in order for her to retain her seat. The north has no time for her so this is a good start for her to saunter up those hills and see all in their homes all the way to Gordons. This endeavor will not only potentially save her seat but her health as well.

Posted 21 November 2014, 9:02 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

She got trounced by her own red shirts would be an understatement. Comrades I shall allow the records to speak for themselves. But it would be foolish to forget all about why a broke party was forced to call a special 12-Hour leadership convention. So, I decided to refresh the memories of the red shirts.

November 21, 2014

Statement from Loretta Butler-Turner: “I congratulate Dr Hubert Minnis on his election as Party Leader, and Peter Turnquest on his election as Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement. I pledge to them my support as we work together to mount an effective Opposition and prepare to defeat the PLP at the next general election."

Please forgive me if i make the claim that a previous pledge of support for Minnis as her leader, sure as hell hell sounds pretty damn similar to another pledge statement Loretta Butler-made.

May 29, 2012

She (Loretta Butler-Turner) pledged to support Minnis as they begin the work of renewing the FNM.

"Lift up your heads FNMs," a jubilant Butler-Turner said. "Wipe away any remaining tears. Stand up tall and proud. Let your voices be heard. Refresh your spirits [because] we have work to do."

Posted 21 November 2014, 9:42 p.m. Suggest removal

dehavmoss says...

Interesting piece TalRussell. We shall have to wait and see how it unfolds.

Posted 22 November 2014, 12:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Arrow says...

Congratulations to Dr. Minnis, Mr. Turnquest and Mr. Pintard now work together to become the united front that we need to make the country better. It is no longer about defeating the PLP at the poles but it is to ensure that hard working Bahamians have a country that we can be proud of. That nonsense does not become the order of the day and Bahamians are put first.2017 here we come!

Posted 22 November 2014, 12:01 a.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

ZNS Pingdomites were at it hard again last night ............... "technical difficulties" my ass. They just had to hi-jack the TV rally speech of HAM. Its so low down and 1980s of the PLP.

Things are so different when the FNM are in power. When the DNA and PLP had their conventions and rallies prior to the 2012 elections there was not one "technical difficulties".
Last night everything was fine until HAM started to give his vision and then all of a sudden there were ZNS "technical difficulties", blank screen and programme switch to Pindling!!!! and they have to gall to talk about ZNS as the "Peoples Station"??????????

Lord, let 2017 come quickly........................ so we can get our freedom back!!!!!!!

Posted 22 November 2014, 7:38 a.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

The FNM were going to be history with either Minnis or LBT at the helm so absolutely nothing has changed here in terms of the FNM's winds of unfortune come the next general election. Now Christie and the PLP can choose whoever they want to lead the PLP in the next general election without fear of unfavourable political consequences. Hell, whether it be Vomit Christie, Radio Miller Look-alike Nottage, the Brave One with short stubby dirty grubby sticky fingers, or Little Boy Loving Pseudo-Intellect Mitchell at the helm of the PLP in the next general election, the FNM for sure now does not stand a chance in hell of getting more votes than the PLP!!

Posted 22 November 2014, 11:39 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Is it all over for Loretta's House of Assembly Long island seat?

Posted 22 November 2014, 12:12 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

.........Hell no.....Long Island deserves BLT...They can keep her there too.........

Posted 22 November 2014, 5:52 p.m. Suggest removal

HisHonor says...

Wow ... so this is what The Bahamas has sunk to now, huh? I usually do not read the paper online, but after reading these hateful, grammatically incorrect, blatantly uneducated personal attacks ("comments"), my eyes have been opened and I see what the young people are talking about for the first time. It is absolutely no surprise to me now why any educated young Bahamian today is doing the only smart thing and getting as far away from this country as they can hope to get ... I will no longer fight my own children about wanting to move away now that I finally understand their perspective on the issue; there is nothing of substance for them here anymore. Utterly shameful...

Many congratulations on your victory, Dr. Minnis. I pray God continues to guide your steps as you lead the party.

Posted 22 November 2014, 4:38 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

Don't let the door hit you in the ass. We will somehow survive without you.

Posted 22 November 2014, 5:54 p.m. Suggest removal

james_anna42 says...

Possessing Florida auto insurance quotes is mostly a sure way to save relating to money and additionally time. It are able to get really tiring on the lookout for insurance quotes in addition to after a whole lot effort you may possibly not even find a very good value for money quotes. <b><a href="http://www.floridaautoinsurancequotes.o…">www.floridaautoinsurancequotes.org</a></b>

Posted 30 December 2014, 1:40 a.m. Suggest removal

james_anna42 says...

Online shopping has been growing at a swift rate and getting the best online deals seems to be getting tougher by the minute. Most people who can search on the internet have started shopping online simply because it is easy, convenient and cheap. <b><a href="http://www.onlinedealsshopping.org/">onlinedealsshopping.org</a></b>

Posted 30 December 2014, 1:43 a.m. Suggest removal

Log in to comment