NASSAU — Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest blasted critics of the government and warned constituents of Pineridge not to “mind the noise in the marketplace” from people who don’t understand the Minnis administration’s plans, the Nassau Guardian reported on May 12 in an article Travis Cartwright-Carroll.
Turnquest’s sharp and blunt rebuke came days after Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine called the Minnis administration’s first year in office a disappointment.
The outspoken Free National Movement (FNM) MP said the Minnis administration has perpetuated a perception that the FNM is not for the ordinary Bahamian, but for the “white, the light, the rich and the famous”.
On Thursday night, during a celebration of the FNM’s election victory last May, Turnquest said people from Pineridge have been sending him messages.
“I want to say to those members in Pineridge, who continue to send me messages… I want you to know that this Free National Movement party, that the members of Parliament from Grand Bahama, we hear you,” Turnquest said. “We understand. I can assure you that this party, these members of Parliament, will be there for you. Don’t mind the noise in the marketplace. Don’t mind messages that are being sent out by people who do not necessarily understand, who do not necessarily know what is going on but yet they speak. It is unfortunate. It is regrettable. It is a disservice to the people of Pineridge. I say no more about that.”
Scores of FNM supporters attended the celebration, which took place at FNM headquarters on Mackey Street.
