By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie said since the party’s July convention more than 30 additional persons have submitted applications in a bid to run on the FNM’s ticket in the 2017 general election.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Collie said the party’s Candidates Committee has been working around the clock to investigate and vet almost 140 potential candidates.

He said the party is in no way “scrapping for candidates” and is nowhere near “done or broken.”

Mr Collie said 15 persons have already been ratified and several others will be revealed on Thursday night.

“This is the most interest we have had in recent times,” he added. “Prior to the convention we had 110 maybe 115 persons apply, now we have an additional 30 or so more,” Mr Collie said.

“We were far ahead in this process but now because we have additional applications, the search and vetting committee is working around the clock. There is quite a lot of interest much more than in ordinary times and we are getting applications from persons from all walks of life. So we are in no means scrapping for persons, the convention drew a lot more persons to the party.”

On Monday, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said his party will not be forming a coalition with the FNM, despite pleas from persons inside and outside the Official Opposition.

During a press conference at his law chambers, Mr McCartney said the FNM is a “broke and sinking ship” and a union between the two groups would help the FNM, but hurt the third party.

In response, Mr Collie said it would have been “ideal” for all opposition parties to join together and oust the Progressive Liberal Party, but since that is not possible, the FNM is “fully capable of doing the job” on its own.

“In the present environment, one single massive combined force against the government would be the ideal scenario,” Mr Collie said.

“It is obvious that is not going to happen right now and I know the effort was made but for a number of reasons that is not going to happen. Now without responding to Mr McCartney directly I will say this, the FNM is the only opposition in the country that has seats in Parliament and has a distinguished record of accomplishment. We are the only opposition with a full complement of candidates. We are in the middle of finishing our manifesto and visiting communities and not at all concerned about the noise in the market.”

On Monday, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said despite several candidates deciding not to run in the next election, the FNM is stronger than ever.

In fact Dr Minnis said evidence of his party’s strength would be seen when the party ratifies additional candidates on Thursday.