pineridge

Michael Pintard could become the first prime minister from Grand Bahama.

For the country’s ‘second city,’ that would represent a shift politically.

For decades, the prime ministership has largely centred around New Providence. But if Pintard, the leader of the Free National Movement and MP for Marco City, was to lead his party to a strong victory in Grand Bahama, it could change the island from an economic afterthought to a political driving force.

“We will deliver first-class public service, first-class representation, not with arrogance but with humility. No gimmicks, no games, we are here to usher in a new era for GB,” Pintard said about transforming the island on Friday at the FNM Grand Bahama Candidate Launch.

Grand Bahama has long been considered ‘FNM country’. Central and East Grand Bahama consistently vote FNM. Marco City has remained in FNM hands for two consecutive elections under Pintard. Pineridge is a swing seat. West Grand Bahama leans PLP but has flipped before.

If the FNM was to capture four or even all five seats on the island, it would send a powerful message.

It would show that Pintard can mobilise the island, widely seen as the FNM’s political base. A dominant performance in Grand Bahama would strengthen his leadership and build momentum.

Grand Bahama has endured years of economic strain, from the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort to rising power bills, unemployment, and stalled development projects. Many voters are looking for a revival of the economy.

Pintard reminded Grand Bahamians: “The government does not have real plans for this island. You have not heard him (Davis) lay out a plan that can transform our lives. What he does do is he issues a new round of promises. He hasn’t affected your light bill; they haven’t gone down. What he hasn’t done is he hasn’t improved affordability. Some of you have moved two times, three times in one year…These are tough times for so many people.”

Still, even a sweep for Pintard in Grand Bahama would not automatically secure Pintard the Office of the Prime Minister because elections are decided seat by seat across the country.

However, if Pintard wins big in Grand Bahama, it could mark a turning point for the island.

Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine attempted to play a victim after the Free National nominated Welbourne Bootle for Pineridge as it prepares for the next General Election.

After the party finalized its nominations, Bootle emerged as the newly ratified candidate for the Grand Bahama seat, and McAlpine then turned his attention to the media to lament his lost nomination.

“I have been independently representing Pineridge from 2018, after being victimized and ostracized by the government whom I was elected with for standing up for and with the people.

“I have served Pineridge independently all these years…”

The controversial figure and outspoken critic of Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has been a chronic annoyance to the governing party as it sought to implement policies.

McAlpine was perceived to be a disloyal member of the FNM throughout its term, and has found himself shunned by members of his party for not supporting key issues.

His stinging criticisms and rebuff of Minnis and the FNM began in 2017 when he was not given a cabinet post after the General Election. McAlpine said he was “disappointed” in his party and broke rank with the party, much to the delight of the opposition party, the Progressive Liberal Party.

In fact, many of McAlpine’s speeches in the House of Assembly appear to be PLP’s talking points.

In 2018, McAlpine stood side by side with protesters who demonstrated against the Minnis administration, saying the party needs a “come to Jesus moment.”

When Centerville MP Reece Chipman and Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, resigned from the Free National Movement in 2019, McAlpine said he supported their decision but said he had no plans to follow suit.

He said he was no less disillusioned with the Free National Movement than Chipman and Miller but was more tolerant.

“I’m still with the FNM because I’m trying my best to assist in making changes within,” he claimed. “I’m practicing one of the Bible’s fruits of the spirit which is long-suffering and I may just be more patient trying to steer them in the right direction,” he said.

Pineridge Association Chairperson Vernet Munnings, said in 2019, “He (McAlpine) definitely should resign. That would be in the best interest of the people of the constituency. We don’t think he would be offered the nomination again.

“In the House of Assembly, all you hear from him is bashing of the party. Would you expect for people to want that person to represent them? I don’t think so. I have no idea what he is holding out for now. He needs to decide what he wants because right now we don’t understand it and he doesn’t understand it.”

What people are saying

Dusty Rebal took to social media to express his agreeance with the party’s decision, “He should be happy. He never agreed with anything the FNM did…”

Thompson Bancroft said, “He had a problem with the party. What was he expecting? A hug and a kiss?

Huedley Moss stated, “The FNM rightfully rejected this rebel…now all enlightened electorates will reject him and his spiritually deaf, blind and dead followers.”

Another poster Dwayne Rolle said McAlpine “squandered” his opportunity to serve while “listening to the PLP.”

Pineridge Member of Parliament Frederick McAlpine gloried that his popularity on social media trumps those of other members of parliament.

In a shouting match with National Security Minister Marvin Dames in the House of Assembly, McAlpine contested, “Every speech I put up gat 10,000 views, 10,000 views, 10,000 views. I’m waiting to see your page. I’m going to your page.”

What happened that caused the outburst

McAlpine jumped on an issued raised by Englerston Member of Parliament Gleny Hanna-Martin, claiming that police reservists were not paid the overtime for their work in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Dames refuted that claim, stating that officers were paid overtime based on his conversation with Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle.

Dames Response to McAlpine

Dames said, “Whenever I stand, and I speak to something, I have factual documentation to prove it. We’re taking advantage of this honorable house to mislead the Bahamian people, constantly, some of us. We have to move beyond that. We talk about we speak on behalf of the people. What people?”

Dames then asked McAlpine to bring his facts to the house instead of making baseless claims.

“That he’s speaking on behalf of the people. I have yet to see the people he’s speaking on behalf. Time will tell which people on whose behalf you speaking, because I don’t see [anyone] following you.”