FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard would not say when his party will host its next convention, but speculated about what will happen at the Progressive Liberal Party’s upcoming event.
He told reporters the FNM “is fine just the way we are right now”.
The FNM’s constitution mandates that it hold a convention every two years. The party held its last convention in November 2021.
The PLP will have its convention on November 9 and 10.
Amid speculation about whether former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson will pursue a position at the PLP’s convention –– he said it’s “very possible” in a recent interview –– Mr Pintard said it would be interesting to see if PLP chairman Fred Mitchell is challenged.
“I understand people are lining up to relieve him of his job,” he said.
Before the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election, Mr Pintard criticised the Davis administration’s performance in office.
He accused the administration of neglecting Grand Bahama, “taking credit for work they did not do”, and of using Obie Wilchcombe’s legacy to gain votes.
“The government was elected in 2021 after they attempted to reject the Member of Parliament, our brother, who has recently passed,” he said. “They wish to come back now and says it’s all love, it’s all good, as if they ever wanted the member of parliament to be in West Grand Bahama and Bimini.”
“They didn’t stop there. They have sought, now that he has passed, to use every waking moment to give the impression that they care about the residents, many of whom have gotten very little help from this administration that did not provide the resources, even resources requested by the recent member of parliament. “
Mr Pintard said he has a list of about 350 homes needing repairs.
He said: “Where was the love while these residents were waiting on social services and housing that’s now calling on them relentlessly?”
“Where was the love,” he asked, “when people were ‘complaining’ about high unemployment, potholes and other issues.”
“You can see very little evidence of the serious work that the prime minister as minister of finance has done in West Grand Bahama,” he added. “He should have provided more help and resources for the member of parliament, but failed to do so.”