Turnquest: Arrogance Got FNM Booted Out

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A “perception of arrogance” got the Free National Movement booted out of office, according to outgoing FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest who addressed hundreds of party supporters on night one of the FNM’s National Convention.

Jasmin Brown is back at the convention hall for the second straight night.

The FNM Deputy Leader not only acknowledgment that the party lost the 2021 General Election due to the perception of arrogance, but he also urged party members to be good listeners and not rule out the opinions of others.

It was one of several points Turnquest made in his final speech as Deputy Leader of the party.

Turnquest, who did not run in the last election, and is not seeking re-election as Deputy Leader, spoke to the convention hall that was only half-filled with party supporters.

The FNM was swept out of office last September, winning only seven of the 39 seats in parliament.

When he stood down as party leader last year, Killarney MP Dr. Hubert Minnis asked members of the FNM to forgive him for any mistakes he made.

Turnquest told party members to never forget the lessons they’ve learned.

In addition to detailing what he feels the party needs to get back on track, Turnquest also praised the work of the former Minnis administration.

He pointed to initiatives he said helped Bahamians during the COVID-19 pandemic, the passage of fiscal responsibility legislation, and advancing educational opportunities for many.

He says despite the good work of the Minnis government, the Davis administration is already walking back that progress.