Back with “vigour, determination, thoughtfulness and purpose” newly-elected leader Hubert Ingraham declared last night that the government has squandered the goodwill of their victory and nearly four-fifths of their term in power and therefore “must go.”
“In three and a half years in office our opponents have demonstrated that they prefer pomp and ceremony and form over substance. I have never known so many people who define themselves and their importance by the trappings of their office,” said Mr Ingraham.
The former prime minister promised that under an FNM government, Bahamian children will be taught to learn in school, young people will be trained to assume meaningful positions in the economy, the Bahamas’ borders will be better protected from illegal immigrants and poachers and policemen will leave school grounds and return to “the beat” as dedicated teachers and securitv guards will adequately police schools and protect children.
For the third time this week Mr Ingraham entered the convention to thundering applause. The entire convention hall stood up on their chairs and shouted greetings as he solemnly made his way, to the podium accompanied by two torchbearing lieutenants and the hymn To God be the Glory.
As he approached the stage, the crowd spilled past the front row of chairs and followed Mr Ingraham as he positioned himself to speak.
Police officers stood by to intervene, however. With a word from Mr Ingraham; the crowd returned to their seats.
Meanwhile, outside in the foyer, throngs of onlookers pressed towards the convention hall doors to get a glimpse of the leader-elect.
Others gathered around the large screens set up outside the hall showing ZNS televised coverage of the convention.
Delegates and party members listened with rapt attention to each of Mr Ingraham’s statements.
The crowd also expressed enthusiastic support for now former FNM leader Tommy Turnquest and leadership challenger Dion Foulkes as Mr Ingraham called them to the stage to commend them for their service to the party.
Although the party supporters were very animated and enlivened throughout the entire week of the convention, Mr Ingraham’s speech last night prompted an unsurpassed wave of excitement among FNMs.
Mr Ingraham said the party must now work day and night to make sure they returned to the “place we want to be”.
“Why do we want this? Because we are concerned; we are troubled, we are disturbed and angered by the non-direction into which our country is drifting.
“We are disturbed and angered by the shame some PLPs bring to our good name. We are concerned and troubled by much talk and little action. The FNM will talk less – but we’ll do more,” he said.
Mr Ingraham invited Bahamians to check his record and decide whether “you wish to have me and my record or you wish to keep that which you have now.”
The FNM must once again move to “rescue the perishing and care for the disappointed and the dispirited and the despairing and the socially and economically marginalised of our country,” he said.
“We cannot ignore that national cry for help and deliverance, and I stand here tonight to call the FNM troops to arms, to urge the unified strength we had in 1992 to meet and beat the political foe at the polls and then to get on with the job of rescue and restoration,” said Mr Ingraham.
He pointed out that he had steadfastly indicated that he never sought, nor intended to reassume the mantle of leadership of the FNM, but he was humbled by the “overwhelming love, faith and hope this party and the wider Bahamian public have expressed and placed in me during the course of this week.”
He added: “What began as just a whispering call quickly became over the last few days an almost deafening roar, a demand if you will, that I once again step to the helm of this organisation,” said Mr. Ingraham.
Family considerations, he said, were the first of the many issues he had to confront in acceding to the requests of those who wanted his return.
“How was I to ask my dear wife Delores and my children to re-enter with me the burning heat of front-line Bahamian politics? On the other hand, how could I ignore the expressed will of my people? “You called for my return. You shouted, nay, you demanded that I return to lead you,” said Mr Ingraham.
Twenty years ago, he said, when the PLP” dumped him overboard in “shark infested” waters, firing heavy artillery at me while I swam for my political life, you voluntarily, came to my rescue.”
“Instead of helping to kill me politically you called a unilateral ceasefire and you instructed your supporters throughout the Bahamas and most especially in North Abaco, to support me,” Mr Ingraham said.
Article Source: The Tribune – Nassau, Bahamas
