Free National Movement chairman hopeful Rodney Moncur this week insisted he has the personality needed to unite and ignite the embattled opposition.

Moncur and former FNM Cabinet Minister Sidney Collie are the two candidates vying for the chairman position following the resignation of former chairman Michael Pintard.

The outspoken justice of the peace said he does not believe Collie has what it takes to be chairman.

"There are major things that need to happen and I don't think Collie's personality is such that he can, you know, lead the kind of fight that is needed," said Moncur.

"... I think I'm the kind of personality who can lead that and be a noble team player. But you know there are some people who think that I am poor, I'm grass root (and) they wish to damage my reputation and I've been married longer than any of them."

Despite some push back, Moncur said he has already begun campaigning and insisted he intends to personally reach out to the more than 200 meritorious council members of the FNM.

Moncur, the former Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for Bain Town and Grants Town, joined the FNM in 2014 in support of Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Following Minnis' re-election during the FNM's November 2014 national convention, Moncur, like others in the FNM, called on the party to unite.

Nearly two years after joining the party he insists there are still many issues that need to be resolved.

"Essentially the party lacks the cohesiveness and the unity and the energy that is required to put the fight to Prime Minister Perry Christie and the Progressive Liberal Party," said Moncur.

"I think one of the fundamental problems creating disunity in the party is (it is) idle and inactive. So one of the things that it would require is consultation with the leader and the executive committee of the party to rally the forces.

"As you begin to rally you then rally the forces, and by that I mean there are pressing issues that require an opposition party on the streets of New Providence and in The Bahamas marching."

Moncur has been staunchly opposed to the gender equality referendum, contrary to the position of the majority of the FNM's parliamentary team.

He said his position on the matter still stands today.

"I'm campaigning against it," said Moncur. "But I believe the same way I should be allowed peacefully to go to the poll and vote according to my conscience, they at the end of the campaigning should be permitted and vote for their position.

"... I would have problems with that personally but if that is the will of the party then that is the will of the party. The only thing that I request is the right to say something."

When asked if he would support a female leading the party, Moncur said, "I serve under our most gracious Queen Elizabeth II and she is a female. Every public officer, of which I am one, has to swear allegiance to the queen.

"So all of my life I have been faithful and have been led by the queen. Certainly I can be led by a female leader."

An election for the chairman post will be held next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. during a special meeting at the FNM's headquarters on Mackey Street.

Jasmin Brown

Guardian Staff Reporter

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