By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR Free National Movement member is urging officials to hold a convention in 2016, saying this would allow the party to position itself to compete with the governing Progressive Liberal Party during the 2017 general election.

Bradley Armbrister, vice-chairman of the FNM’s Marco City Constituency Association, also criticised FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, saying that while he has improved, his performance has “not been spectacular”.

In a letter to The Tribune, Mr Armbrister said that while he supported Dr Minnis as leader during the party’s 2014 one-day convention, in his view, four of Dr Minnis’ colleagues are better presenters than he is and another two are equal to him.

He insisted that Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner is, without question, the most impressive presenter of the group, adding that she has paid her dues and has every right to vie for the party’s leadership.

Mrs Butler-Turner lost her previous bid to become leader of the FNM at the party’s convention last year.

Mr Armbrister proposed that at the next convention, former Senator Dr Duane Sands, Dr Minnis, Mrs Butler-Turner, and FNM Deputy leader Peter Turnquest contest the leadership position.

He further called on FNMs to stop the “infantile infighting” and unite to ensure the party is victorious at the polls.

He also questioned the intent behind the party’s welcoming of Fort Charlotte MP Andre Rollins and Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, who he called “former incendiary adversaries”, while some party supporters view Mrs Butler-Turner as a “troublemaker” for aspiring to lead the party.

“During the 2014 November one-day convention, I was all the way with Dr Minnis, and was ecstatic with his landslide victory,” Mr Armbrister said in his letter.

“In fact it is I, who coined the phrase, ‘Roc with Doc!’ During the last 12 months much has transpired. I have been around long enough to know that politics it is not static. Consequently, after months of intense introspection, I have concluded that too many issues remain unsettled.

“Although he has improved, in my view, the leader of the Official Opposition’s performance has not been spectacular. In fact, four of his colleagues are better presenters than he and the other two equal to him. Loretta Butler-Turner is without question, the most impressive presenter of the group.

“She has indeed, paid her dues and has every right to vie for leadership. The FNM has a deep bench; surely we can muster more than one individual for leadership consideration.”

He added: “We cannot allow a minority of zealots to bludgeon the majority to their liking. That is the PLP style. In my opinion, I think that we should hold a full convention in early 2016 to exorcise our party of all enmity.

“A convention is in order and essential to the FNM’s 2017 victory trajectory. At the convention, I propose that Dr Duane Sands, Dr Hubert Minnis, Loretta Butler-Turner, and K Peter Turnquest (in no particular order) contest the leadership position.”

He said they all possess the gravitas to be leader of the FNM.

“Whoever emerges as the leader at the 2016 convention, I will give my full support. No more mumble, no more grumble; if we want to win, FNMs, it’s time to rumble.

“I am exceedingly disappointed by the gratuitous vitriol directed at Dr Minnis. It is nasty. Dr Minnis is a decent man. He does not deserve such offensive assaults and insults. Please stop it. Understandably, his supporters are incensed and retaliating.

“So, we have a perfect storm. The PLP is in a massive free fall to almost certain defeat, and the FNM by cannibalising itself, is handing them a parachute for a soft landing. How can we be so stupid?”

He cautioned FNMs over giving the PLP a “free” pass.

He said while many Bahamians are aware that this government is the most decadent and despised political party in the history of Bahamian politics, FNMs should not be so naïve as to believe that because the PLP is so scandalous and sorry, that the opposition can win the next election by default.