Tommy Turnquest’s desperate bid to hang on to the lead ership of the FNM has been hit by a another killer-blow.
All the FNM’s MPs, Senators and top two executive officers, Chairran Carl Bethel and Deputy Leader Sidney Collie, reportedly told Turnquest in a meeting that he must quit as leader.
They informed a shocked Turnquest that NONE of them supported him as leader. And they said they will back the return of ex-PM Hubert Ingraham as leader of the party at convention In November.
But at the same meeting Tuesday, they agreed to reverse a decision to appoint Ingraham as FNM leader in the House. Instead, MP AIvin Smith rill stay as leader of the FNM in Parliament. But Turnquest was warned that all MPs, Senators and executive officers intended to back Ingraham to return as overall leader at convention in November.
Ingraham has agreed with the FNM MPs and Senators that he will challenge for the leadership at con vention if Turnquest insists on staying as chief. Former FNM MP Dlon Foulkes has also said he will run for leader. But Foulkes is expected to back down once it becomes clear Ingraham is running for leader.
What’s more, as revealed by Punch, the FNM Finance Committee met with Turnquest on Tuesday and told him that he was not getting “another red cent” as leader.
Now, with no money and no backing from his parliamentarians and top executives, it will be almost Impossible for Turnquest to stay on as leader and challenge for the leadership at convention.
Observers have noted that Turnquest, 45, has not even been able to get the support of FNMs in his own age group. John Delaney, appointed as a senator in June by Turnquest, has said he’s backing Ingraham. Ex-FNM MP Zhivargo Lalng, FNM Treasurer Darren Cash and ex-Senator Tanya McCartney have all let it be known that they want Turnquest to go as leader.
From The Punch, Nassau Bahamas
