PLP Deputy Chairman Invites Turnquest, Foulkes To Join PLP

Mr. Turnquest and Mr. Foulkes briefly served as leader and deputy leader of the FNM before being defeated by PLP Leader Perry Christie in the 2002 General Election.

Mr. Storr said he listened "in a state of bewilderment" to recent comments made by the FNM and its "feeble" attempt to level criticism at the PLP’s recent national convention.

Last week, The FNM said Mr. Christie’s re-election as leader signaled a "victory for the old guard" and a "blow" to any serious reform by those who represent the worst days of the Pindling era."

The FNM’s youth arm, the Torchbearers, also criticized the president of the PLP’s youth arm, the Progressive Young Liberals, saying that "While his party talks about young people, the FNM acts for young people."

However, Mr. Storr was quick to defend his party, saying that the PLP has, over the years, welcomed younger party members.

"One would think those who wrote their press release suffered a text book ‘Freudian slip’ as the FNM could just as easily have been speaking about their very own leader and party. As a young man under the age of forty, I have seen first-hand the confidence our leader, Perry G. Christie has in the youth of the PLP," he said.

"I have been elected unopposed as the deputy chairman of the party along with a cadre of young persons who were elected to other leadership positions. Aarone Sargent, at 22-years-old, is the youngest person ever elected to serve on the leadership council of our party."

Mr. Storr said Mr. Christie, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, PLP deputy leader and Bradley Roberts PLP chairman, have all pledged to work hand-in-hand with the younger members of the party to ensure a smooth transition of leadership to the next generation of PLPs.

"This is the direct opposite of the FNM who set the so called future of their party, in the personage of Tommy Turnquest and Dion Foulkes, into the leadership of their party to fight a general election that they had no hopes of winning. After valiantly serving in their positions of leader and deputy leader . . . Mr. Ingraham returned to pull the rug out from under Mr. Turnquest after giving him his word that he would remain retired. That is how the FNM looks after their young," he said.

"I take this opportunity to invite Mr. Turnquest, Mr. Foulkes, and all those young persons who are about to have their hopes dashed at the upcoming FNM convention to consider joining the PLP where there are true opportunities for the young and ambitious to flourish. We have a big and wide open tent where all are welcomed."

Last week, the FNM Torchbearers noted that the FNM has had at least seven torchbearers serve in parliament and in cabinet positions, including Education Minister Carl Bethel, Mr. Turnquest, who is also the minister of national security, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, Kwasi Thompson, Kendal Wright and David Thompson.