By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Central and South Abaco Free National Movement Constituency Association yesterday attributed area MP Edison Key’s criticism of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to “disappointment” that he will not be the party’s candidate for the 2017 general election.

Early last year, Mr Key confirmed to The Tribune that he would not be seeking a nomination from the party for the seat.

According to chairman of the association Victor Patterson, it was Mr Key who specifically told them to seek another standard-bearer because he would be stepping down.

Meanwhile, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts used the situation to question Dr Minnis’ loyalty not only to his party but to Bahamians.

He defended Mr Key, suggesting that his loyalty to the FNM leader was allegedly rewarded with “backstabbing, disrespecting and undermining”.

Responding to this matter yesterday as a guest on 96.9 FM radio show ‘The Revolution’ with host Juan McCartney, after the 78-year-old Central and South Abaco MP lambasted Dr Minnis in a report in The Nassau Guardian, Mr Patterson sought to clarify the constituency association’s part in Mr Key’s candidacy.

It came after the MP told the local daily he will not run again on the FNM’s ticket and claimed that the Killarney MP was not a man of his word. Mr Key further claimed that Dr Minnis conspired with certain FNM supporters to end his political career. A part of this plan involved not informing him about secret meetings that took place in his constituency, the daily reported. Mr Key also claimed that there were “a few white dissidents” led by the association chairman, who were involved in this conspiracy.

However, Mr Patterson said during the radio interview that the association was led by a “diverse” group of black and white people. He said there was support for the new candidate, 24-year old James Albury, because although young, he impressed everyone during the interview portion of the vetting process. He has not been officially announced by the party as its pick for the area. However party Chairman Sidney Collie told The Tribune on Friday that the organisation planned to ratify several Family Island candidates in the coming weeks.

“I do want to say that our branch is a diverse group of black and white people, some younger and (some) older. So I think that needs to be said,” Mr Patterson said. “I do happen to be a white person, but our deputy is a black person and we have a mix of people.”

Asked to explain the party’s reasoning for choosing to support another candidate, Mr Patterson said the association has acted based on Mr Key’s public announcement back in March last year that he was stepping down.

“Remember, Mr Key announced that he was stepping down. He announced in late 2014 (or) in early 2015. You can check the paper March 16, 2015 it’s right there in The Tribune that he was stepping down and he wouldn’t be running again. And we were instructed to find a candidate, which is what we did.

“He did change his mind at one point, but he never contacted us as a branch to say he had changed his mind and so we have tried to follow proper procedure. We haven’t put anything in the press. We have tried to handle things the way they should be and so that’s what I’d like to say about that.”

He continued: “Mr Key specifically told us that we would have to find another candidate when he stepped down.”

Mr Patterson, who insisted that he would not say anything unkind of the MP, said he believed Mr Key is disappointed that he would not be the candidate because he has been in politics for a long time.

Mr Albury, he said, descended from Hope Town and from Man-O-War Cay, Abaco and also has a college degree in political science.

“When he heard that we were looking for a candidate, he threw his hat into the ring and obviously (because of) his age we were like well this is a very young person. But upon meeting with us we were all extremely impressed. So we brought him to a larger group and everyone has been impressed with him so that is why we are going with him.”

A matter of trust

In a press statement yesterday Mr Roberts said Mr Key has always stood firmly on Dr Minnis’ side. He said Dr Minnis’ alleged actions have continued to fracture the party and has deepened distrust among supporters.

He said by all accounts, Mr Key was one of Dr Minnis’ trusted and ardent supporters.

“When the sharp knives, fiery darts and arrows took aim at Minnis from within the FNM to remove him as leader, Edison Key stood firmly by Minnis’ side, always standing on a point of principle,” the press statement read.

“Dr Minnis apparently rewarded Mr Key’s honour, principled position, political support and unwavering loyalty by backstabbing, disrespecting and undermining Mr Key to his constituents in his own constituency. This is unseemly behaviour for a leader and should be roundly condemned by all and sundry as it can only deepen the divide and cause further harm to the FNM brand. I am personally offended by Minnis’ dishonorable behaviour because I know Mr. Key personally and have worked with him for many years in public life.

“At the very least, Minnis’ inner circle should trust him and his word. If there is mistrust of him among his parliamentary colleagues, then why should Bahamians trust Dr Minnis? He already has a well-earned national reputation as a flip flopper and his latest actions only serve to entrench this jaundiced and cynical view of him and his leadership.”

He added: “Further, it is apparent that Minnis has kicked new generation leader Theo Neilly to the curbs in favour of Richard Lightbourn in North Eleuthera. With each of these moves, Minnis has managed to alienate segments of his party and support base, fracturing his party further and deepening the mistrust and distrust of his leadership and his word.

“As critical as Minnis is of Prime Minister (Perry) Christie and the PLP, he could learn much from the seamless transition of the PLP candidacies in both the Carmichael and Exuma and Ragged Island constituencies.”

Mr Key entered front-line politics in 1977 and served two terms as a senator and chairman of the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation.

He resigned his post as a PLP senator in 2005, and then left the party. He became a member of the FNM later that year.

He was elected to Parliament by the South Abaco constituency in the 2007 and 2012 general elections.