Former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes yesterday commended Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner on her decision to run for leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), adding that the contest should not be determined by gender.
While not endorsing Butler-Turner or any other candidate, Sir Arthur said he hopes the best candidate is selected.
"I commend Mrs. Turner, first of all for choosing to serve her country in the political arena, and also for aspiring to lead one of the country's two major political parties," said Sir Arthur in an email responding to The Nassau Guardian's questions.
"She follows in the footsteps of outstanding crusaders who blazed the trail for Bahamian women to take their rightful place in our political life.
"I speak of women such as [Founder of the Women's Suffrage Movement] Mary Ingraham; [Treasurer of the Women's Suffrage Movement] Eugenia Lockhart; [first female Senator] Doris Johnson; [first female member of Parliament] Janet Bostwick, and others who followed them.
"...With regard to the contest for leadership in the FNM -- or any other organization for that matter -- the choice should have nothing to do with gender, one way or the other. The object should be to select the person best qualified for the post."
Sir Arthur, a founding member of the FNM, said he hopes one day soon the representation of women in parliament will more closely reflect the demographic reality in the country.
"It simply makes sense to recognize that half of the nation's talent is with its women, and to draw on that talent," he said.
Butler-Turner announced on Monday that she will run for the leadership of the party.
She said she made the decision after much counsel with her Long Island constituents, her family and close friends.
"Along with others, I am grateful for the service that the present leader of the FNM, Dr. Hubert Minnis, has given as an MP, a minister and as leader of the opposition," she said at her home, off Shirley Street.
"Still, given the great challenges of mounting a more effective opposition, of holding this government accountable and of returning the FNM to office, the question is this: Who is the best available person, at this time, to lead the opposition in Parliament and in the country, and to defeat the PLP at the next general election?
"...I believe that I am the most capable individual at this time to unite, to reignite and to lead the opposition in order to defeat a failed government."
Minnis said yesterday he is confident he will win the leadership race.

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