Former Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash says it’s time for the FNM to have a “come to Jesus moment”. Cash’s statement — made on his Facebook page — was a clear reference to a National Review article published yesterday revealing some FNM MPs are considering expressing a vote of no confidence in the leader. Cash’s original post was about Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) politics and whether Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis will challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for the leadership of the governing party. The PLP leadership issue also featured prominently in National Review.
“I confess. Before I take the beam out of my own eyes (i.e. the FNM) I'm gonna get all up in the PLP business. So here goes,” the former FNM chairman wrote.
“Young boys growing up will remember mommy asking them if they trying to ’play man’ in her house. So I ask Brave Davis if he trying to play man in Christie's pingdom?
“As National Review rightly points out, his silence already reveals that he has reached a point of no return. If he wants to be man and stop playing man (figuratively speaking), he has no choice but to run against Christie. Face the reality.
“His partnership with Christie is over because it is now clear to Christie that he, Philip Davis, has that lean and hungry look.
“There is no cure. The CDC can't help. And Davis must not make the mistake BJ Nottage (the now minister of national security) made many years ago when he bowed to [former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling] and decided not to run against him.”
Cash urged: “Stand, Brave. Step Now. Brave must also be thankful that men of the stature of Philip Galanis, Raynard Rigby and George Smith (all members of the PLP) have courageously paved the way for him. Now Philip I say to thee, ‘I wanna see you be brave’.
Attorney Michael Scott, a prominent FNM, was among those who responded to Cash’s post.
“The one good thing about a nickname is that he is brave if he does and brave if he doesn't,” Scott said. "Now, Darron, let’s see how you handle the other twists and turns of the National Review critique.”
Cash then said, “I will address the reality in the FNM in a meaningful way tomorrow (Tuesday). I first want to see if there is any official response to the article. I felt the reference to multiple sources gave increased credibility to the piece. It seems clear that we need a come to Jesus moment.”
National Review reported that some FNM MPs are considering sending the governor general a letter advising that they have lost confidence in him and asking for his removal. Yesterday, FNM Chairman Michael Pintard said he had no comment on the matter.
Several FNM MPs The Nassau Guardian spoke to also said they had no comment. These included Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner; St. Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman and Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn. FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said he knew nothing of the reported bid to oust Minnis.
South and Central Abaco MP Edison Key said he understands “a minority” of FNM MPs are planning something but he said he is not a part of this effort and supports the leader. Several senior members of the FNM told National Review over the last few days that Minnis has lost the support of some members of the party’s parliamentary team. They also said there is a serious push to have an FNM convention early in 2016.
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