By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunmedia.net

EVEN as his sympathisers lambasted his political opponents in the upper ranks of the Free National Movement as “betrayers,” Dr Hubert Minnis made a plea for party unity during a rally at Christie Park on Wednesday night.

The Over-the-Hill event saw his team emphasise his “rags to riches” biography, the centrepiece of his pitch to Bahamians and FNM delegates as he seeks to defeat Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner at the party’s convention later this month and gather momentum ahead of the next general election.

For some in the crowd of what The Tribune estimated to be close to 400, the event was a homecoming for a politician they find relatable and who they don’t believe has been given a fair chance to lead the party without internal dissension.

The campaign slogan that appeared on posters bearing Dr Minnis’ name was, accordingly, “The people’s time.”

“This is the time for me to give the power back to the people,” Dr Minnis said to cheers from the crowd. “This campaign is all about you.”

In a speech frequently interrupted with songs designed to emphasise his statements, Dr Minnis castigated the Christie administration’s performance on crime, entrepreneurship, accountability and regard for the poor as he listed a litany of proposals he would implement if elected prime minister.

These included vague proposals like “land reform to ensure Bahamians have an opportunity to own land in this country” to more explicit ones like the alleviation of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on a variety of goods and services.

He said he would introduce a national “solarisation programme that would result in decreasing electricity costs and increasing your disposable income.”

“We will establish an anti-corruption agency with an independent director of public prosecutions with no oversight by the attorney general,” he said. “No one, not even prime ministers are above the law.”

Dr Minnis made only indirect references to the personal toll the division that has emerged in the FNM during his tenure as leader has had on him.

“You know (that) no weapon they throw at me will prosper,” he said, again prompting cheers.

Absent from his speech, however, were any cutting remarks about his rival, Mrs Butler-Turner, and the FNM officials who have been critical of his leadership.

Such statements were instead made, often indirectly, by FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest and the event’s moderator, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells.

On the party’s internal critics, Mr Turnquest said: “They say they want unity. Well, if they would all do their part we would have unity. You can’t break up the party and then call for unity. It’s disingenuous. What a waste of precious resources and energy.”

“You need a leader to secure life, not a mortician to secure you in death,” he said, referring to Mrs Butler-Turner.

“You need a deputy to guide your finances, not a doctor to treat your heart attack after you’ve gone bankrupt,” he said, taking a swipe at FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands, who is vying for his post.

Some notable people who supported Dr Minnis at his campaign launch included FNM Senator Carl Bethel and the party’s Secretary General Michael Foulkes. Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP for Tall Pines Leslie Miller also attended the event and was greeted by loud cheers as he made his way to the front of the rally area.

Dr Minnis’ event ended with a Junkanoo rush out.

The FNM’s convention is scheduled for July 27-29.