Now that its party elections are behind it, the Free National Movement (FNM) can focus on its primary task moving ahead – winning the 2017 general elections, “if not before.”
In fact, the FNM’s newly elected chairman, Darron Cash said as much in a statement just hours after his victory.
On Thursday evening, the FNM’s Central Council elected to have the former senator serve as the party’s chairman over former Cabinet minister, Dion Foulkes.
Mr. Cash, who essentially had been holding down the post since the sudden death of FNM Chairman, Charles Maynard, beat out his contender 120 to 50 votes, according to unofficial reports.
Former parliamentary secretary, Brensil Rolle will serve as Mr. Cash’s deputy, having beat won former minister, Phenton Neymour.
“This is an honour and a high privilege,” Mr. Cash said in a statement Friday.
“I speak for the newly elected deputy in expressing our gratitude to the Central Council for the confidence they have placed in us.”
Though elected the winner, Mr. Cash stressed that the race was not about him
Members of the Central Council, he said, were unequivocal in their message.
“They continue to believe in the party, they supported the party leader and they wanted to elect a national chairman, who shared their views and who would be committed to working with the leaderand the rest of the team to strengthen and re-energize our party,” he said.
“On Thursday evening they turned out in large numbers from all across the country to make their positions crystal clear and to issue their marching orders. I say to them, “Message received, loud and clear.”
Some see Mr. Cash’s election as the rebirth of the FNM, a process that started with former Health Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis being elected its new leader following a crushing defeat at the polls on May 7.
In a sweeping victory, the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) secured 29 seats leaving the FNM with the remaining nine. However, the PLP picked up another seat after winning the North Abaco by-election last month.
The seat was left vacant when former prime minister Hubert Ingraham resigned from Parliament.
“The overall mission, it is simple,” Mr. Cash said.
“I intend to work every day with FNM members, officers and supporters to assist and support the FNM leader in transforming our party into a position of readiness for the next general election, and for transparent governance from day one.”