NASSAU, Bahamas, Dec 12 2016 – Loretta Butler-Turner, the grand-daughter of the first Bahamian Governor-General, Sir Milo Butler, was sworn in as the first woman Opposition Leader in the Bahamas pledging an “unwavering commitment to collegiality and collaboration”.
Butler-Turner, who was sworn in by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling on Sunday, replaced Dr. Hubert Minnis, who was ousted from the post after seven of the 10 opposition legislators had informed the head of state they no longer had confidence in him.
“I note that my appointment as the first woman to serve as Leader of the Opposition (in The Bahamas) is of historic importance,” she said, thanking her parliamentary colleagues for placing their trust and confidence in her as the new Leader of the Opposition.
“I pledge an unwavering commitment to collegiality and collaboration. Democracy is not about the mood of a single individual; it is about cooperation in the pursuit of the common good,” Mrs. Butler-Turner said.
A mortician and mother of two children, Mrs. Butler-Turner said she and her colleagues are convinced that there needs to be a new direction for the country.
In a statement, Minnis said that as “the duly elected leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) I wish to assure our faithful, dedicated, hardworking and committed members that I am not moved by these tactics.
“I remain steadfast in my duty to you, our supporters and the Bahamian people, to return good governance to this country and to rid the Bahamas of this inept, arrogant PLP administration. That is and will always be our primary focus.”
He said what has occurred over the last few days in the FNM is the result of individuals who have failed to respect the democratic process of their own party.
