Bannister has a cunning plan…to get Minnis back in. Why Pintard shouldn’t play into his hand

Former Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister’s call for the Free National Movement to hold a convention appeared innocent on the surface, however, Bannister’s call seems more like a cunning plan to get his friend former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis back in office.

Bannister is Minnis’ confidant and Minnis once boasted of him as his “good counsel”, having appointed him as his deputy in 2020. Minnis once promised to “split” leadership with Bannister if his administration was elected for a second term, but plans were spoilt when he lost the 2021 general election.

Bannister’s sudden appearance on the political scene calling for a convention “at the earliest possible time” is surprising since he disappeared after the loss. The crafty call for a convention under the disguise of concern for the party is a deceitful plot in hopes that party leader Michael Pintard would bite the bullet so that Minnis can attempt to topple Pintard, the elected leader.

Bannister attempted to use reverse psychology on Pintard: “To delay calling a convention will diminish confidence in your leadership,” and “party members will question your confidence in remaining party leader, as well as your ability to raise the requisite amount of funds that will be required to hold a convention and to successfully contest a general election.”

His statement reeks of manipulation. Bannister, recognized as a veteran politician and lawyer, is hoping that Pintard and the now young leadership team of the FNM are gullible, which is the greatest insult.

Thus, no one should trust Bannister.

From Pintard’s win in 2021, it was widely circulated that Minnis was attempting to come back as party leader. Deputy chair Richard Johnson and other Minnis operatives have vocalized to the media that they wish for the former prime minister to return.

Minnis has done nothing to quiet the troublemakers from his camp as they continue to create chaos, nor has he dispelled the speculations that he wants to return which suggests a comeback is real, especially since they have ramped up activities in the media.

Bannister has also been revealed as Johnson’s lawyer having only shown up to a meeting when the party was taking disciplinary action against him for “violent disruptive speech and actions” and to negotiate a settlement between the party and Johnson who was seeking to sue the FNM for $500,000.

Bannister’s call is nothing more than a form of manipulation to gain control and get Minnis back at the helm. Members of the FNM should now be suspicious of him. He does not have the party in his best interest, only his selfish desires.