FNM leader Tommy Turn-quest was asked last night to step aside by the party’s MPs to allow for a Hubert Ingraham comeback.
A source in the FNM’s inner circle revealed that Mr Turnquest met five parliamentarians in a showdown over his future.
At the meeting were Brent Symonette (MP for Montagu), Alviu Smith (Leader of the Opposition), Neko Grant (MP for Lucaya), Kenneth Russell (MP for High Rock) and Robert Sweeting (MP for South Abaco).
It was said that the only reason why Lindy Russell (MP for Eight Mile Rock) was absent from the meeting was a prior engagement.
According to the source, each MP explained to Mr. Turnquest ļ¾ that they believed it to be “in the best interest of the party and the country if he step down.”
However, Mr. Turnquest reportedly refused to do so and the MPs say they are now looking at ways of forcing his hand.
“He believes he can lead the party to victory,” said the source, adding that he “must be the only person who thinks so.”
While Mr. Turnquest admitted to The Tribune yesterday that there was a meeting with the parliamentarians, he would not confirm that he was asked to step down.
“I had a meeting with my MPs today and I don’t intend to share what we discussed,” he said.
When asked if there was a move to remove him as leader of the party, Mr. Turnquest responded: “There is a convention in six weeks time along with a leadership election. The party will choose their new leader then,” he said.
And as for whether FNMs are united going into convention, he said: “The convention is in six weeks time. We will know when we come out of convention.”
The MPs reportedly explained to Mr. Turnquest that “from Grand Bahama to Inagua people are still saying that he cannot lead them to victory and they must have Hubert lngraham back.”
The source said the MPs felt Mr. Turnquest’s style of politics “doesn’t cut it in the Bahamas – he’s not aggressive enough.”
The MPs were reportedly shocked by Mr. Turnquest’s refusal to step aside.
The meeting ended when Mr. Turnquest asked the MPs to reconsider their position, “but they would not, so they asked him to reconsider his.”
The matter is going to be decided one way or the other by the opening of parliament on October 5.
“Consideration is being given to other steps to force him to step down,” the source said, adding that among the options open to the MPs is an appeal to the governing council of the FNM.
Sources say that campaigning is expected to begin within the parameters of the party’s 200-member council soon and a decision made preferably before the opening of the House of Assembly in October.
“If you want to vote someone out of the executive, the council has that authority,” he said.
Mr. Turnquest was reportedly not surprised by the topic of the meeting, and told the MPs that he was aware that they had wanted to meet with him for some time.
According to The Tribune’s source, the MPs feel confident they can convince Mr. Ingraham to take up the leadership of the opposition.
The question still remains, however, if the former prime minister wants the job.
When Mr. Ingraham was contacted by The Tribune he said simply: “I was not in such a meeting.”
Sources say, however, that while Mr. Ingraham would rather enjoy his retirement, if the council thinks he is the best man for the job he would run.
Mr. Ingraham has made it clear in the past that he would not enter into a battle with Mr Turnquest, that he really does not want the job, but if the council considers him the best man to lead them, he will take up the challenge.
The source said Mr. Ingraham, like thousands of people around the country, was concerned about the direction of the Bahamas and the party. “He loves our country and he would lead for that reason and that reason alone,” said the source.
“This is an opportunity for someone who can excite the people and rally our supporters. Many of them say they won’t vote if he (Turnquest) is leader.”
During the meeting Alvin Smith, Opposition Leader in the House, agreed to relinquish his leadership post to facilitate Mr. Ingraham’s return. The source said that Mr. Smith told the meeting that he had made his decision in the best interest of the party and of the country.
Source: Paco Nunez and Rubert Missick Jr, The Tribune
