Butler-Turner urges her supporters to back Minnis

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DAYS after saying she “can’t be bought” by the Free National Movement, Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday made her strongest move since the party’s controversial convention to help heal the wounds in the party as she urged her supporters to back Dr Minnis and his leadership team.

Taking a markedly different tone from previous statements, Mrs Butler-Turner appealed for the party and the wider public to be patient with her as she continues to “grow and change”.

She also confirmed her acceptance of the party’s nomination to run in the Long Island constituency at the next general election.  

“It is my fervent hope that unity will be achieved through a spirit of collegiality, dialogue and mutual respect from all within the party,” she said.

Her statement marks a remarkable turnaround for her and could prove crucial for the party’s efforts to reverse the impact of highly publicised and caustic infighting that has raised questions about its ability to successfully challenge the Progressive Liberal Party next year.

Indeed, as recently as last week Tuesday Mrs Butler-Turner appeared unprepared to fall in line under Dr Minnis’ leadership.

After Dr Minnis extended an olive branch to her during his closing speech at the party’s convention two weeks ago, on Tuesday she said “I am not for sale” in response to reports that Dr Minnis and his team made offers to her, including one to be made Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly.

Given her new pledge to work towards party unity, it is unclear if Bahamians will get a response from the party to accusations from her that its convention election process was rigged. She accused party leadership of engaging in criminal and corrupt behaviour when she dramatically withdrew from the leadership race two weeks ago.

Last night, Dr Minnis said the party welcomed her call for unity and said it confirmedthe “longstanding belief” that the FMN would unite after the convention.

Yesterday, Mrs Butler-Turner said: “I urge those FNMs who may be thinking of not registering to vote, to please register and to please re-engage with us.”

“I ask the FNM voters to support the FNM candidate in their constituency and to encourage FNMs to do likewise. Our task now as FNMs is to regain the trust and the confidence of our core voters and of non-aligned voters. This requires good leadership, the best and brightest candidates, a compelling vision and a viable policy agenda for the country.”

Mrs Butler-Turner said: “Those of us who offer for public service must acknowledge error, learn from our mistakes and then set out to become better public servants. In this spirit I take account of public criticism and hope that any errors of mine will be forgiven.”

“Every institution and individual must always be open to change and growth. It is also my fervent hope that the FNM continues to be open to such change and growth. For my part, I seek God’s guidance and grace, and your patience, as I continue to grow and to change.”

Mrs Butler-Turner’s comments came after the FNM held a secret leadership conclave over the weekend.

Although, neither she nor Dr Duane Sands attended the event, The Tribune understands that they had representatives there.

Contacted yesterday, former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson said: “It was very positive and I was pleased with the general attitudes around the table,”

Nonetheless, party officials did not discuss details of the meeting or say whether any concrete commitments were made during the session.

Comments

SP says...

**................. BLT suffering schizophrenia or continues to “grow and change”? ....................**

Next week BLT might back to her usual self...Whatever that is at the time!

Posted 8 August 2016, 1:01 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

It should now be abundantly clear to all that LBT is both undisciplined and unprincipled. We are in desperate need of decent honest hardworking Bahamians being willing to throw their hat into the political arena and make the sacrifices necessary for the betterment of all Bahamians as opposed to the select few. LBT does not qualify!

Posted 8 August 2016, 2:03 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Now you "throwing her under the bus" and you were one of her ardent supporters! So were you undisciplined when you encouraged her "undisciplined" behavior for these last 2 years or so?

I think that she needed some time to readjust to the "perceived" lost at the convention. . .which I don't see as a lost. . .but a setback. . .she will try again someday in the near future. In a few moths the people will not hold her ambition to power against her. . .they were just annoyed at her for "hounding" doc because they see him as the man they want for next election. . .if they could not get yinna Papa! Like she said. . ."I don't lose. . .I learn". . .

Posted 8 August 2016, 5:20 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

I have never supported LBT and invite you to prove otherwise.

Posted 8 August 2016, 6:34 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

I shall say sorry if you think that I am not telling the truth about you supporting LBT. . .but this site will support your many "LBT is better" affirmations . . .if that is not supporting her. . .have my apology!

Posted 10 August 2016, 1:27 p.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

Beginning to think LBT has a split personality. Will the real Loretta please stand up because we are getting confused as to who we are dealing with? Loretta, your public performances over the last few weeks have been bizarre to say the least.

Posted 8 August 2016, 2:14 p.m. Suggest removal

theplpsucks says...

BRAVO TO LORETTA AND MINNIS. MATURITY WAS SHOWN TO MOVE ON. DONT LISTEN TO THE PLPS THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS AND WANT YOU TO FORGET HOW PERRY TREATED BERNARD NOTTAGE. TIME TO WIN THE ELECTION AND GET RID OF THE FAILING PLP.

Posted 8 August 2016, 2:16 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

What a bunch of cut throats. Not to long ago Doc was the devil in person. now he is a saint from heaven.. who in the world can believe lying crooked Butler Turner. she can not be trusted shame on her. Yesterday doc was no good. now overnight he is all good.. Turnquest called her out** How soon will Cash come forward. and say how great they all are.

Posted 8 August 2016, 4:40 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Birdie. . .you ever see. . .these persons here who were all "LBT" and Doc is a "dolt" . . . now they calling her all kind of names! She is the same person who they were supporting a few weeks ago! LBT got more "balls" than them all put together. . .they supported her as "their mouth piece" against Doc. . .and now she still has more "man" in herself by coming forward and "biting the bullet" . . . putting away the hatchet for the better of the party!

Posted 10 August 2016, 1:40 p.m. Suggest removal

Economist says...

The fact is that Minnis is not competent to be Leader and you have left him there.

Sorry Loretta, but since nothing has changed I still have no reason to vote FNM.

Posted 8 August 2016, 5:49 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

How would you know what a competent leader is. . .after all you picked and supported one who turned out to be "a loser". . . according to your connotations. . .it says as more about your "stability and mental acumens" to determine who is a better leader than who is competent to be leader. . . YOU ARE BEING JUDGED HERE MY FOLLOW BAHAMIAN. . .not whether LBT is mentally stable or not. I believe that LBT is not a mental dolt. . .perhaps her advisors and backers are somewhat so. ..but not she! Lol!

Posted 10 August 2016, 1:49 p.m. Suggest removal

Observer says...

Warning.............Beware of the double-minded person.

Posted 8 August 2016, 5:50 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Especially if they are in the FNM it seems. . .they will throw you under the bus. . .in public! LBT is not dead. . .she did not lose. . .she learned. . .not that I can say the same of her backers and advisors. . .!

Posted 10 August 2016, 1:52 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

So Comrade, when it comes to Darron there is nothing new under the sun. King James - "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done."
Flashback to the year 2012 in the then 2012 life and times the one they call Darron.
In an email to former red shirts candidates, then 'acting' red shirts party Chairman Darron 'appealed for party unity, urging members to remember on whose shoulders they stood.' In another email to senior red shirts, Darron wrote that he would 'not run for Chairman' because he and Minnis could not see eye to eye on how to lead and manage the party. Darron continued writing that his decision not to run was "resolute".
BUT after The Guardian ran the story on his decision NOT to run for chairman, Darron sent out a statement blasting "power hungry" red shirts who he said would hurt the party for their personal ambitions. Darron also pledged his full support for Minnis.
He later 'accepted' the nomination for the Red Movements chairmanship post.
Darron's law. If it ain't broken, I goin's grab the sucker to broken it.

Posted 8 August 2016, 6:14 p.m. Suggest removal

DillyTree says...

Minnis is still unfit to lead. Period.

I've seen all I need to see, and no urging otherwise will convince me that Minnis can change or lead.

I will not vote FNM until he is gone. It's really that simple.

Posted 8 August 2016, 10:50 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

So what are you waiting for. . .GO! It used to be incompetent to lead before he "wop" ya tail at convention. . .now it "he is unfit to lead". . .you picked LBT as better and we all know the end of that choice. . .YOUR CHOICE. . .YOU SCREWD UP. . .NOT LBT. . .YOU DID. . .ALONG WITH THE OTHERS! AS FOR ANYONE COMVINCING YOU ABOUT ANYBODY LEADERSHIP SKILLS. . .YOU WOULD NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD AND BAD LEADER ANYWAY. . .YOU COULD NOT TELL WITH LBT! AS FOR TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU ABOUT WHO IS THE BETTER LEADER. . .NOBODY IS TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU OF ANYTHING. . .IT SEEM THAT YOU WILL NOT LEARN. YOUR PROBLEM SEEM NOT IGNORANCE ABOUT BETTER LEADERSHIP SKILLS. . ."TIS YOU". . .IT IS PERSONAL WIWTH DOC AYE. . . THAT WE CAN'T HELP YOU WITH. . .LBT CAN'T HELP YOU WITH THAT. . .SHE IS RIGHT TO LEAVE YALL AND MAKE PEACE WITH HER LEADER! GOOD LUCK IN YOU QUEST FOR A PLACE TO "FIT-IN". . . I AM SORRY FOR THAT PLACE. . .IT WILL BE PERFACT LITTLE HEAVEN. . .UNTIL YOUR "SELF" GETS THERE. . .THE PROCESS SELF-INADQUACY WILL START ALL OVER. . ."YOU WILL WANT TO BE LEADER". . .

Posted 10 August 2016, 2:06 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

I can't believe that anyone would support her after this display. After being shouted at, she quit without consulting anyone, then she went to a meeting and came out claiming that she couldn't be bought, but why did she go into the meeting if she couldn't be bought? A blind man could see the meeting would cover the way forward inclusive of offers. Now she holds her **own** press conference to ask her supporters to vote FNM, "normal" candidates usually handle that message in their concession speech *on the night* that they lose, not a whole week after to give wounds time to fester. Her reactions are so off base, from the Sands "we're running announcement when she kept her silence for weeks, to the "big" unveiling of that horrible theme song that was never heard again straight up to today.

Btw, did Butler Turner at any time ask her supporters to give their support to Dr Minnis? Did she ever acknowledge him as her "leader". She speaks vaguely of supporting "the party" and needing "good leadership" but she never equates that to Dr Minnis. I see trouble and can only conclude that she hasn't learned, she's lost

Posted 9 August 2016, 2:44 a.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Why is Minnis still embracing Tennyson Wells - a cutthroat!

Posted 9 August 2016, 1:40 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

And there you go. . ."the PLP will win now". . .child please! You never did understand what was going on aye? By backing LBT and bashing Doc you too have become "one of them who want to shut-up doc. . .because he want to stamp out corruption in public life". . .true or not. . .you found "ya-sef" on the wrong side of public opinion! Who cares where you go. . .you only will be dead weight anyway>

Posted 10 August 2016, 3:57 p.m. Suggest removal

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