Ingraham, Hubert Alexander

Ingraham, Hubert Alexander

(ĭng`grəm), 1947–, Bahamian political leader, prime minister of the Bahamas (1992–2002, 2007–12), b. Cooper's Town, Abaco. A lawyer, Ingraham started his political career as a member of the Progressive Liberal party (PLP), becoming party chairman in 1976. He was elected to parliament (1977, 1982) as a PLP member, and served as minister of housing and national insurance from 1982 to 1984, when he resigned over conflicts with party leaders. He then joined the Free National Movement (FNM) and was elected party leader in 1990. Ingraham became prime minister following the FNM's victories in 1992 and 1997. The PLP defeated the FNM in the 2002 elections. Ingraham and the FNM were returned to power in 2007, but lost in 2012 in a landslide. He subsequently resigned as party leader and from parliament. As prime minister, he took steps to control drug trafficking and regulate offshore financial services.