By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM Senator Heather Hunt has resigned from the upper chamber effective immediately.

Mrs Hunt is the third FNM senator to resign since the party became the official opposition in 2012.

Zhivargo Laing resigned in late 2012, followed by Desmond Bannister who resigned in 2013. Both men maintained that their departure from the Senate had nothing to do with the party or the party’s leader.

In a press statement, Mrs Hunt said it was an honour to serve in the Senate and thanked FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis for giving her the opportunity. She said in keeping with the party’s vision, it was time for her to pass on the baton.

“My resignation comes following the request of the Leader of the Free National Movement Dr Hubert Minnis.

“Dr Minnis is moving to implement a plan announced at the appointment of FNM senators in 2012. At that time, he advised the public and his appointees that the appointments to the Senate would be for a period of two and a half years,” the release said.

“It has been a tremendous honour to serve my party and the people of the Bahamas in the upper chamber and I thank Dr Minnis for the opportunity extended to me over the last two and a half years. Indeed, it is the leader’s privilege to appoint senators and equally to disappoint them. I look forward to continuing to work within the Free National Movement as we strategize to win the next general election. I fully expect to enjoy the support of my leader for my nomination as our party’s standard-bearer in the Marathon constituency. It is now left for me to give complete attention to the Marathon Constituency Association with an eye on 2017.”

Dr Minnis told The Tribune he had an “in depth” discussion with Mrs Hunt and they both agreed it “was time” for a change.

“Heather and I had a discussion and we both agreed that in keeping with a policy I announced in 2012, that would allow other individuals to have senatorial experience, she would resign.

“This will also give her time to concentrate on the Marathon constituency, which I am sure she will win in the next election. I am positive that she will have a high level position in the next FNM administration.”

Dr Minnis said Mrs Hunt’s replacement has not yet been selected, but an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.