EDITOR, The Tribune.

It hasn’t been two weeks since Marco City MP Michael Pintard’s ascent to the top post of the Official Opposition Free National Movement (FNM) and there are already calls for Dr Hubert Minnis to stand down in Killarney – one of just seven seats the FNM was able to retain on September 16. When Pintard was officially sworn in as FNM leader on November 29 at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Minnis was a notable no-show, which ended up fueling speculation that he is unhappy with his current political role within the party. East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis both showed political maturity by supporting Pintard at his swearing-in ceremony. By their thoughtful gesture, both have demonstrated a willingness to work alongside Pintard for the betterment of the FNM and The Bahamas. Assuming Minnis had no emergency to attend to, his absence, at least to FNM critics, is being seen as him being a possible thorn in the side of the Pintard regime. Minnis must be given the benefit of the doubt that he will support the new FNM leader. To the best of my knowledge, Pintard was loyal to Minnis while he was FNM leader.

As for the former FNM leader abdicating Killarney, which would pave the way for a by-election, the FNM mustn’t heed the calls for such a move, as it would be tantamount to playing the dangerous game of Russian roulette. Minnis tried the Russian roulette strategy already, by calling for an early general election some eight months before it was constitutionally due, and it backfired in spectacular fashion. Minnis barely won Killarney, as his popularity has plummeted, owing to the COVID-19 lockdowns and the sharp rise in unemployment in 2020. There’s no guarantee that the FNM will win in a by-election in Killarney. Furthermore, a by-election might unfortunately be dubbed a referendum on Pintard. An FNM loss in Killarney would be, if nothing else, demoralising.

FNMs calling for Minnis to resign have a short memory. It was just nine years ago – in 2012 – when then FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham resigned from his North Abaco seat, paving the way for a by-election win for the Progressive Liberal Party and its candidate Renardo Curry. Minnis staying put would, at the very least, ensure that the political haemorrhaging is stopped. Admittedly, this is an unusual, awkward situation for the FNM, with a former leader having to now take orders from a former underling. But if Minnis is willing to swallow his ego, assuming he has one, he can work harmoniously with Pintard.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama.

December 7, 2021.