By Gerrino J. Saunders
Bahama Journal News Editor

The seven-member Official Opposition in the House of Assembly has
now been reduced to six after the Free National Movement (FNM)
Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama Iram Lewis stunned
both opposition and government members when he announced that he
was officially withdrawing from the FNM and joining a third party
pledging his allegiance to the Coalition of Independents.
Before he made the announcement Mr. Lewis who once had leadership
aspirations in the FNM with a “heavy heart yet with a courageous and
resolute spirit” sought to explain the reasons for his decision.
He began by saying that for as long as he could remember, the FNM has
been a part of his identity and that he believes in the principles of the
party, its commitment to progress and its dedication to the Bahamian
people.
“However,” he said, “In recent times a sense of unease has settled within
me. I find myself increasingly concerned about the direction my party
has taken. It pains me to say that the FNM that I see today does not
entirely reflect the party I have known and loved all my life.
“The spirit of unity and shared purpose that once defined us seems to
have been replaced by internal strife and division, which is very
unfortunate. As a senior member of this party I’ve observed these
changes with growing concern, and if you look at the papers in recent
times there has been a call for unity by persons who have served in
senior capacity,” said Lewis.

He was referring to comments made by former FNM Attorney General
and first female MP Janet Bostwick who said at a recent FNM women’s
event that the party needs to build a united front if it intends to defeat the
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the 2026 general elections. It was a
statement that FNM leader Michael Pintard said he welcomed.
Continuing, Mr. Lewis said, “I have witnessed the departure from the
collaborative spirit that should guide our actions. I have felt the lack of
support I believe is due to any member of this body and in my case due
to a personal choice that is also a constitutional right of mine.
“My decision I believe to not openly endorse the current leadership, a
decision I made in good conscience has seemingly led to a situation
where my dedication and my service are called into question. With
elections looming the uncertainty surrounding my candidacy for Central
Grand Bahama a constituency that I have faithfully served has become a
matter of deep concern,” said Lewis.
He suggested that behind the scenes discussions had eroded the trust that
should exist between the party and its dedicated members.
Mr. Lewis then said, “I stand before you today not with anger, but with a
profound sense of responsibility to my constituents and of course to the
Bahamian people. It is with this responsibility in mind that I announce
my decision, painfully yet courageously to withdraw from the FNM
caucus.
“This decision has not been made lightly. It is a decision born of deep
reflection and a sincere desire to serve my country without the
constraints of partisan politics. I believe the people of The Bahamas
deserve a government that is united in its commitment to progress and
prosperity.
“Therefore from this day forward I will no longer remain where I am
tolerated but where I believe I am appreciated. It will not cross the floor
and sit with the other side because it would be very disingenuous of me
having criticized the other side so openly and consistently. I have given

credit where credit is due, but it would be very hypocritical of me to now
join the force that I have been fighting against.
“Therefore Madame Speaker and The Bahamas from this day forward I
will sit as the first Member of Parliament representing the Coalition of
Independents Party,” said Lewis.
Lewis’s announcement drew a mixed reaction of surprise from fellow
members.
He concluded by saying he will dedicate himself to a bipartisan
approach working with all Members of Parliament.
He said, “Yes this takes courage and it takes commitment and I am
convinced that I am doing what I have to do. I will be a voice for all
Bahamians regardless of their political affiliation. I will strive to build a
better Bahamas, a nation where unity and cooperation prevails.”
Lewis expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to the FNM for allowing him
the opportunity to serve the country.
While he was not present in the chamber when Mr. Lewis made his announcement,
during the afternoon session Mr. Pintard briefly addressed the move by Lewis.
He said, “Madame Speaker this morning one of our colleagues made a decision to
join another political organization, I just wish to say thank you to the honourable
Iram Lewis for the contribution you have made to the FNM over a number of
years; and to say to you and to your family that we wish you the best in your
endeavors.”
Mr. Pintard noted that the FNM as an organization released a statement that speaks
more fully to the matter. “But I’m here to litigate the matters of concern to the
Bahamian people said,” Pintard.
The FNM Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright before contributing to the Mining
Bill 2023 said it would be “derelict” of him if he did not very briefly offer some
thoughts on the morning occurrence.
He said, “one of the beautiful things about The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is
something we call democracy, and our former member this morning made a
decision in this honourable house and now he joins a list of many other persons,

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is in fact replete with members who made
similar decisions from both sides of the political aisle.”
Continuing he said, “In a very sobering way, of course there will be plenty days of
the politics of this, but the truth is the honourable member who I know very well
and have a personal relationship with him, made a democratic decision and it is a
decision that he has the right to make. I would disagree with him on his
characterization of his tenure and indeed the FNM, but we’re not here to debate
that, we wish him well, that is his decision.
“But the FNM that has been around for the last 50 years, as we have been, will
continue to soldier on in the best interest of the Bahamian people and for the
Bahamian people. Just as we have at other times in the history of our great party
the election soon to come will find itself with a strong FNM who is ready to
govern the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Cartwright.
Meanwhile, the party statement also thanked Lewis for his many years of service,
but stated that “on more than one occasion the Executive Committee of the party
has called Mr. Lewis’s behaviour into question for certain actions displayed.”
One of those incidents is believed to be the occasion in July of 2023 when Lewis
was heavily criticized for joining the COI in a protest outside the Office of The
Prime Minister to demand the resignation of former Labour and Immigration
Minister Keith Bell. Lewis defended his decision to do so stating that he was
acting on behalf of The Bahamian people and saw nothing wrong with his actions.
Meanwhile, the FNM statement went on to say in addition to Lewis’s questionable
behavior the Constituency Association recently wrote the party requesting that Mr.
Lewis not be re-nominated as the party’s standard bearer in the next elections for
reasons stated by them.
The statement said the party is moving, in consultation with the constituency
association and others to identify a replacement candidate for the Central Grand
Bahama constituency which it has won for the past seven consecutive terms and is
preparing to retain the seat and become the next government of The Bahamas.
There have been suggestions from various political round tables that FNM leader
Pintard could possibly switch from Marco City and run in Central Grand Bahama,
setting up what would be a head to head battle with Lewis who has already been
pegged to represent the COI in that constituency and the PLP candidate.

While standing with Lewis outside Parliament on Wednesday COI party leader
Lincoln Bain confirmed that they had not ratified anyone for the Central Grand
Bahama constituency and that Lewis will get the nod, calling it a “divine” moment.
Additionally, Mr. Bain described Lewis’s actions as the “start of a revolution” that
the country needs and he warned of more to come.
He said, “I think that more members of parliament are going to be willing to step
away from the old guard and it’s time for us to move into the new Bahamas. This
is the first time that a Member of Parliament has walked across the floor to walk to
a third party, it has never happened before and so history has been made, and I am
hoping that this will not be the last.”
The COI leader said now with a presence in the parliament his party will challenge
the government to be more transparent about decisions and will hold them
accountable as the COI will now have a seat at the table in the Public Accounts
Committee and other important committees of the House of Assembly.
Mr. Bain also sent a message to other Members of Parliament including leader of
the Opposition Michael Pintard.
He said, “we want to tell them to come over on to the right side of history, it has
already begun. We started by presenting a vision for this country that has never
been presented before. A vision to this nation to show the way forward, how we’re
gonna get there, where the money is coming from and exactly what we are going to
do with time lines, and we are saying that we are ready to govern this country.”
“And every Member of Parliament, and yes we are talking to other MP’s, and we
want Michael Pintard when he sits in the House today to look to his left and look to
his right and wonder who’s next,” said Bain.
According to Mr. Bain, Lewis will immediately assume a leadership position in the
COI.
Upon his arrival in Freeport on Wednesday evening following the announcement
Mr. Lewis was greeted at the airport by jubilant supporters of the COI.
Meanwhile nationally there has been mixed reaction to his decision with some
supporting him and others suggesting he has committed political suicide.
Prime Minister Philip Davis commended both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Pintard for
exercising their rights in a democratic society to make the decisions that they have.