Hubert Ingraham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hubert Ingraham
PC |
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Ingraham in 2009
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| 2nd Prime Minister of the Bahamas | |
| In office 4 May 2007 – 8 May 2012 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | A.D. Hanna Sir Arthur Foulkes |
| Deputy | Brent Symonette |
| Preceded by | Perry Christie |
| Succeeded by | Perry Christie |
| In office 21 August 1992 – 3 May 2002 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Sir Clifford Darling Sir Orville Turnquest Dame Ivy Dumont |
| Preceded by | Sir Lynden Pindling |
| Succeeded by | Perry Christie |
| Minister of Finance of the Bahamas | |
| In office 4 May 2007 – 8 May 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Perry Christie |
| Succeeded by | Perry Christie |
| In office 1992–1995 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Adderley |
| Succeeded by | William Clifford Allen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Hubert Alexander Ingraham
4 August 1947 Pine Ridge, Bahamas |
| Political party | Progressive Liberal Party (1970s–1987) Independent (1987–1990) Free National Movement (1990–present) |
| Spouse | Delores Miller |
Hubert Alexander Ingraham (born 4 August 1947) is a Bahamian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the Bahamas for two terms. His first term was from August 1992 to May 2002. He then served again from May 2007 to May 2012. He is a member of the Free National Movement (FNM) political party.
Ingraham was also the leader of the FNM party. He represented the North Abaco constituency in Parliament. Before becoming Prime Minister again in 2007, he was the Leader of the Opposition. This means he led the main party that was not in power.
In 1992, his party, the FNM, won a big election. They defeated the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). This ended the 25-year leadership of Prime Minister Lynden Pindling. After his government lost the 2012 election, Ingraham stepped down as FNM leader.
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Early Life and Education
Hubert Ingraham was born on 4 August 1947. His birthplace was Pine Ridge, Grand Bahama. His father, Jerome Ingraham, worked as a stevedore (someone who loads and unloads ships). His mother was Isabella La-Roda.
He grew up in Coopers Town, Abaco. He started school at Coopers Town Public School. Later, he attended Southern Senior School. He also studied at the Government High School Evening Institute in Nassau.
Ingraham went on to study law in Nassau. In December 1972, he became a lawyer in the Bahamas. He later became a senior partner in a law firm.
Beginning His Political Journey
Hubert Ingraham started his political career in 1975. He was elected to the National General Council. This was part of the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) at the time. Before this, he served on the Air Transport Licensing Authority. He also chaired the Real Property Tax Tribunal.
In 1976, Ingraham became the National Chairman of the PLP. He also joined the party's National Executive Committee. The next year, in 1977, he was elected to the House of Assembly. This is a part of the Bahamian Parliament.
As a Member of Parliament, Ingraham worked on important committees. He was re-elected to Parliament in 1982. He was then appointed Minister of Housing and National Insurance. He also became Chairman of The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation. This group helps Bahamians get housing loans.
Leading the Opposition
In 1987, Ingraham ran for election as an independent candidate. He was one of only two Members of Parliament who had been expelled from the PLP but still won re-election.
In April 1990, Ingraham joined the Official Opposition. He was quickly made their Parliamentary Leader. When the Opposition Leader, Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, passed away, Ingraham was chosen to lead the Free National Movement (FNM). On 18 May 1990, he became the Leader of the Opposition.
In June 1990, Ingraham led the FNM to a by-election victory. This was a significant win for the party. Then, in the general election of 1992, Ingraham led the FNM to a big victory. They won 32 seats compared to the PLP's 17. This ended Sir Lynden Pindling's 25 years as Prime Minister.
First Term as Prime Minister (1992-2002)
As the new Prime Minister, Ingraham was also in charge of the Ministry of Finance from 1992 to 1995. He worked to make it easier for new businesses to invest in The Bahamas. He created a special Investment Authority to help with this.
In July 1993, Prime Minister Ingraham became a Privy Counsellor. This made him a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. In 1997, Ingraham led the FNM to an even bigger election win.
Ingraham had promised to serve no more than two terms or 10 years as Prime Minister. In 2001, the FNM held special elections. They chose Tommy Turnquest to take over as leader after the next general election.
Key Achievements and Challenges
Ingraham is recognized for helping the Atlantis Paradise Island project grow. This project brought a lot of tourism and jobs. His government also made changes to the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC). This involved some employees leaving the company.
During his first term, he guided the Bahamas through changes in its financial services. New rules were put in place by international groups like the OECD. These changes were important for the country's financial system.
Towards the end of his first term, the Bahamian economy faced challenges. This was due to a global economic slowdown.
Return to Opposition (2002-2007)
In 2001, Ingraham announced he would step down as party leader. Tommy Turnquest became the new leader of the FNM. However, in the 2002 General Election, the FNM lost badly. Both the leader and deputy leader lost their seats in Parliament.
Even though Ingraham kept his North Abaco seat, he did not immediately return to lead the party. It was not until November 2005 that he was again elected FNM Leader. He said that the country needed reform and that people needed to trust the government again. He believed the FNM had a plan to restore that trust.
Second Term as Prime Minister (2007-2012)
In the general election held on 2 May 2007, the FNM won most of the seats. They defeated the PLP again. Ingraham was sworn in as Prime Minister on 4 May. He also became the Minister of Finance in his new government.
After his government lost the May 2012 general election, Ingraham announced his resignation. He stepped down as FNM leader and as a Member of Parliament. His resignation took effect on 26 May 2012. On 9 May 2012, Hubert Minnis was chosen to succeed Ingraham as Leader of the Opposition.
See also
In Spanish: Hubert Ingraham para niños
