By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday said he is not worried about the potential challengers he might face at the party’s national convention, stressing that such a process is necessary to strengthen the party ahead of the 2017 general election.

Speaking to The Tribune days after the FNM’s executive committee recommended that the party hold a full convention no later than November 30, Mr Turnquest said he fully expects someone to challenge him for the post of deputy leader.

However, the East Grand Bahama representative noted that he was not afraid of being challenged or eventually losing the post, insisting that his main concern has always been the party uniting over a shared platform focused on winning the next election.

He said: “I serve at the wishes of the voting delegates and the wider FNM membership. It is their office and I am privileged to serve and hold it for the time being.

“If at convention they no longer wish me to serve in that position, I will continue to represent the people who have elected me to the best of my ability as a loyal FNM supporter and member of Parliament.”

Mr Turnquest won the party’s deputy leader post by more than 100 votes back in November 2014, beating out both former FNM Chairman Darron Cash and former Senator Dr Duane Sands.

At the time, he was seen as a dark horse, announcing his intent to run just days ahead of the convention’s voting process.

It was that campaign ploy that led many FNM insiders to view the accountant as party leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ “hand-picked running-mate”.

No one has yet declared his or her intent to contest any of the FNM’s leadership positions at the convention. However, a source within the party said Mr Turnquest’s post might be the easiest to win if contested.

That source, who did not want to be named, also suggested that the timid nature of Mr Turnquest has not paired well with the political persona of Dr Minnis, an issue that many in the party believe could hurt them at the polls.

The dates for the convention will be determined by the FNM’s Central Council and a vote on the resolution to have a convention this year will take place at or before the next regular council meeting, Dr Minnis said in a statement on Friday.

The FNM’s constitution mandates that the organisation has a convention every two years.