The FNM finance-men have reportedly told Tommy Turnquest that if he refuses to step down as leader then they will cut off money donations to the party.
The no-more-money threat came from both local and foreign donors to the FNM party. The party’s local finance-men are made up mostly of rich Eastern Road White Knights.
And the foreign donors consist of a group of Florida businessmen and certain mega-rich Lyford Cay residents. The foreign group is led by a former U.S. envoy in The Bahamas. They have promised to give the FNM $10 million for the next election-provided the party is headed by a leader who the donors believe can win. But neither the local or foreign donors feel Turnquest can , lead the FNM to an election victory over the Christie-led PLP.
So, by staying on Turnquest will cause the FNM to fight the election with empty cash coffers– a sure way to lose the election.
A White Knight told Punch: “We will cut off out money donationstions to the party. And Turnquest won’t even have enough money to hold a convention in November.”
It costs $300,000 to $500,000 to stage a five-day convention, made up of some 400 delegates from Nassau and the Family Islands.
The leadership Issue is certain to cause a fiery meeting of the FNM’s 200 Council delegates to night. Senator Turnquest is refusing to quit even though all six FNM MPs have told him that they want ex-PM Hubert lngraham lead the party.
FNM MP Alvin Smith has agreed to resign so that Ingraham can be leader of the FNM in the House when Parliament opens next week.
But Turnquest will still be the overall leader of the party. And, as such, he can only be removed at a convention. Ex-FNM Deputy Leader Dion Foulkes has said he still intends to challenge Turnquest for the ;eadership at the convention.
Source: The Punch
