Former Member of Parliament for Pineridge, Frederick McAlpine released a video on social media on Sunday outlining his plans to contest the Pineridge seat as an independent candidate in the next general election.
McAlpine spoke with ZNS News about his campaign on Monday. He said, “I was successful as a Member of Parliament the last time around. And the fact that I think that Pineridge deserves much more and indeed the Grand Bahama community deserves much more. And I think I’m able to be a voice as I have been in the past.”
The former MP says he has maintained ties with constituents by joining them for special occasions and through social media. “I’ve been quiet nationally. I’ve been quiet but I’ve been speaking to the people of Pineridge because nationally the only people who can help me to get where I’m trying to go to is the people of Pineridge and I’ve been speaking to them from 2021.”
McAlpine was elected in 2017 on the Free National Movement’s ticket. However, he ran as an independent in 2021 where he received the second highest amount of votes. He said, “if I can maintain the base I had last time and pick up additional votes, I only lost by 254 votes so I don’t think it’s nothing for those who won to get excited about and for those of us who have lost to be depressed about.”
The Pineridge hope also shared his plans for the constituency saying, “I’d like to rejuvenate and revive the Pineridge Educational Center. I think we also need to do more with our children who are autistic in the Beacon School. I’d like to see more accountability with the way the constituency funds are being spent.”
