O. Tommy Turnquest
Encyclopedia
The Honourable Orville Alton Thompson "Tiny" Turnquest is a Bahamian politician
. He is the current member of Parliament
(MP) for Mount Moriah and the Minister of National Security
.
Turnquest was born on November 16, 1959 to Sir Orville Turnquest, former Governor-General and Lady Edith Turnquest.
and Malvern College
in England
. He was also enrolled in the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He has worked at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
. During his banking career, he was the manager of the East Bay Street Branch until the general election in August 1992.
Turnquest began his political career in 1981. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the Torchbearers, the youth wing of the Free National Movement (FNM)
where he served as president for 4 years. On August 19, 1992, he was elected the MP for Mount Moriah and then re-elected in the 1997 general elections. He has held many positions in the FNM, including Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office, Minister of State for Public Service and Labor, Minister of State for Public Works and Minister for Tourism. He was appointed Minister of Public Works on March 20, 1997. After being voted leader-elect at a FNM party convention in August 2001, he had looked likely to succeed Hubert Ingraham
as Bahama's next Prime Minister. However, at the May 2nd, 2002 general elections
, Turnquest lost his constituency seat to Keod Smith, the Progressive Liberal Party
candidate. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate until the next general election, on May 2nd, 2007 when he won back the seat of Mount Moriah, serving under Prime Minister Ingraham. On May 4, he was sworn in as the Minister of National Security by His Excellency the Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, Governor-General
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is the current member of Parliament
Parliament of the Bahamas
The Parliament of The Bahamas is the bicameral national parliament of Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The parliament is formally made up by the Queen , an appointed Senate, and an elected House of Assembly...
(MP) for Mount Moriah and the Minister of National Security
Ministry of National Security (Bahamas)
Ministry of National Security is the primary law enforcement and national defense agency within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. MNS has responsibility for customs and immigration, defense and the national police force...
.
Turnquest was born on November 16, 1959 to Sir Orville Turnquest, former Governor-General and Lady Edith Turnquest.
Education and career
He attended St Anne's High School in NassauNassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
and Malvern College
Malvern College
Malvern College is a coeducational independent school located on a 250 acre campus near the town centre of Malvern, Worcestershire in England. Founded on 25 January 1865, until 1992, the College was a secondary school for boys aged 13 to 18...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was also enrolled in the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He has worked at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is one of Canada's chartered banks, fifth largest by deposits. The bank is headquartered at Commerce Court in Toronto, Ontario. CIBC's Institution Number is 010, and its SWIFT code is CIBCCATT....
. During his banking career, he was the manager of the East Bay Street Branch until the general election in August 1992.
Turnquest began his political career in 1981. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the Torchbearers, the youth wing of the Free National Movement (FNM)
Free National Movement
The Free National Movement is a socially liberal and economically conservative political party in The Bahamas. It is currently the ruling party, winning 23 of the 41 seats in the Bahamas House of Assembly on May 2, 2007; two of these seats are currently being contested in Electorial Court by the...
where he served as president for 4 years. On August 19, 1992, he was elected the MP for Mount Moriah and then re-elected in the 1997 general elections. He has held many positions in the FNM, including Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office, Minister of State for Public Service and Labor, Minister of State for Public Works and Minister for Tourism. He was appointed Minister of Public Works on March 20, 1997. After being voted leader-elect at a FNM party convention in August 2001, he had looked likely to succeed Hubert Ingraham
Hubert Ingraham
Hubert Alexander Ingraham is the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. He first served as Prime Minister from August 1992 until May 2002 and became Prime Minister again in 2007. He is a member of the Free National Movement Party . The Rt. Hon. Hubert A...
as Bahama's next Prime Minister. However, at the May 2nd, 2002 general elections
Bahamian general election, 2002
General elections were held in the Bahamas on 2 May 2002. The opposition Progressive Liberal Party won 29 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly to defeat the governing Free National Movement . Voter turnout was 90.2%.-Background:...
, Turnquest lost his constituency seat to Keod Smith, the Progressive Liberal Party
Progressive Liberal Party
The Progressive Liberal Party is a populist party in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas commonly abbreviated PLP. The PLP lies on the left of the political spectrum....
candidate. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate until the next general election, on May 2nd, 2007 when he won back the seat of Mount Moriah, serving under Prime Minister Ingraham. On May 4, he was sworn in as the Minister of National Security by His Excellency the Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, Governor-General
Governor-General of the Bahamas
The Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is the viceregal representative of the Bahamian Monarch . As Her Majesty the Queen cannot reside in all of her realms she appoints representatives to carry-out her duties as Queen of the Bahamas...
.