Former Centerville MP: Keeping Dr. Minnis Would Be A Hindrance

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Former Member of Parliament Reece Chipman believes the decision to drop former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis from the FNM’s ticket was the best move for the party.

Chipman says he doesn’t see the relevance of holding on to the former PM, who was overwhelmingly ousted in the last election. Berthony McDermott has his comments in this report.

REECE CHIPMAN – FORMER MP, CENTERVILLE
“I don’t see the relevance, I don’t think he is as nationally relevant as he thinks he is, and that’s just a personal opinion. And like I said, in politics, parties have to move forward based on public perception and based on national relevance.”

Dropping former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis from the FNM’s ticket won’t hurt the party’s chances in the next election, according to former Centerville MP Reece Chipman.

Chipman is throwing his support behind the FNM’s decision, saying that it didn’t take him by surprise.

Chipman went even further, saying it appears there may be a personal agenda involved.

REECE CHIPMAN – FORMER MP, CENTERVILLE
“When leaders do not do the honorable thing or seem not to be doing the honorable thing, it may appear that the agenda is personal. And when the agenda is personal in an environment when we are attempting to unite a party to move towards governance, it could be considered a hindrance.”

REECE CHIPMAN – FORMER MP, CENTERVILLE
“I am a constituent of Killarney and was a constituent of Killarney since Mr. Minnis came into the seat in 2007, and I have always voted FNM. My vote in Killarney was not about the individual but about the party, and so I don’t see his not being here as one that would impact the overall political landscape for the Free National Movement.”

FNM Leader Michael Pintard made the announcement Sunday in front of a packed Mackey Street headquarters.

Pintard, however, admitted Dr. Minnis did not agree.
Dr. Minnis has since promised a statement this week.

The Killarney FNM Association has called the move by the party unfair and a violation of the constitution.

Members say they will not support any other candidate in the area.

Meanwhile, Chipman, who was fired from his Cabinet post under the Minnis administration and later resigned from the party to become an independent MP, says the party’s agenda must come first.

He says he believes if Dr. Minnis remains in the FNM, it will damage the party’s image.

REECE CHIPMAN – FORMER MP, CENTERVILLE
“To have him on your slate moving forward could compromise the national relevance of your slate, and so I do support what has transpired in the past couple of days within the party because we want to remain relevant, and with Dr. Minnis on the slate, it will hinder our progress.“