By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard yesterday forecast that the country could expect a snap election in 2016 in his defence of the party’s decision not to hold a national convention this year.

Mr Pintard pointed to indicators within the government’s budget for this fiscal year, the myriad of scandals that have plagued the Christie-led administration, and increasing clamor over whether Prime Minister Perry Christie will step aside as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

For this reason, the FNM chairman explained, the party may be faced with a general election before the two-year period when it will be mandated to hold another convention under its constitution.

While there was no consideration for a convention at this time, Mr Pintard added that the organisation was pragmatic and would review its position to make the best determination to achieve its goals.

He added that the FNM is planning smaller events that would allow its members to galvanise before the next election.

“It’s been less than a year since the last (convention) so that’s not a matter being discussed,” he said. “What is being discussed is holding a function that would permit us to showcase the talent in the organisation. There are a number of persons prepared to go on the frontline who previously have not been in the spotlight.

“Also, to bring forth elements of our platform, and to critique the government’s position. That is the type of event being contemplated, along with regional meetings that will unveil for the community more detailed versions of our platform.”

“We will gauge sentiments internally and externally related to all matters and make a determination on what is best for the organisation. Our goal for 2017, or before, is to put in place a government responsive to the needs of the Bahamian people, and if the FNM needs to make any adjustments we will.”

There have been calls from some quarters for the party to hold a convention this year, despite pronouncements by its leader, Dr Hubert Minnis, that he will lead the party into the next general election.

These calls have increased following announcements of such events to be held later this year by the governing PLP and the Democratic National Alliance.

Mr Pintard said if an early election was not called next year, the party would poll its members to see the desire for another convention.

“Then we would have to then check the appetite of officers and members of the party, whether or not they are minded to go into a convention that is potentially divisive so close to a general election.

“One cannot say definitively one way or another if we hit the two-year mark that it will not happen. We have an obligation to get clearance from the membership on what they want to do.”

Meanwhile, former FNM Deputy Leader Brent Symonette, who sits on the party’s Central Council, yesterday said he felt that a convention would be a good vehicle to stage the party’s election campaign. He explained that while the party’s constitution mandated there be at least one convention every two years, there were times when the event was not held for economic reasons.

However, he noted that it would not be devastating if a convention were not held.

Last month, FNM legal advisor Michael Scott expressed hope that another convention will be held by the end of the year to put an end to the party’s internal struggles.

However, Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday explained that internal struggles should have been settled at last year’s convention that saw himself and Dr Minnis elected to the two top posts.

He said he was not opposed to the suggestion of holding another national conclave; however, he pointed out that while some persons may not have liked the results, the November 2014 convention was a fair and democratic process.

On Monday, former FNM Chairman Darron Cash stated his support for a full convention that would also include elections for all executive positions. Mr Cash lost his bid for deputy leader at November’s convention.

Yesterday he clarified that he was not pushing for a leadership contest, but rather stating his position on the benefit of staging a national event to promote the party’s vision and combat rhetoric promulgated by the other political parties.

He said it was “inconceivable” that the party would not seek to hold a convention and that at a minimum it should answer the PLP.

“I am not a party officer and have no say in whether one is held or not,” he said, “neither am I pushing for one. I am focused on getting elected to serve a constituency called Carmichael. Any officer or party who wants to push for a convention can speak for themselves. My best advice to the party leadership is that one should be held and it should follow the PLP.”

Mr Cash said that he was “deeply troubled” by the persistent public chatter about the party’s leadership, and speculation over disunity.

FNM Senator Carl Bethel, also a member of the party’s national executive committee, yesterday said he agreed that the party should host a national convention immediately following the PLP’s event.

However, he explained that during the last convention, party voters understood that they were to elect the candidate they felt was best suited to lead the organisation into the next general election.

“I don’t see any need for that,” he said, “we just went through that trauma less that a year ago. What we need is a convention that will showcase our new candidates to the Bahamian people, to promote the ideals behind the party’s struggle.

“We don’t need anymore naval-gazing. It is time for everybody to put their backs against the wheel and brace for the Titanic struggle that will soon be upon us, so that we can do everything we need to do within legal and moral realms to win.”

A general election must be held every five years. The last general election was in May 2012.