The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON Tribune Staff Reporter cnixon@tribunemedia.net THE FNM put a "stain on democracy" by not allowing retiring MPs to say farewell, according to Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney. Speaking with the Tribune yesterday, Mr McCartney said regardless of party affiliation, departing members should be given the chance to publicly address their constituents and say farewell. He said that by abruptly suspending Parliament for the last time before elections, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has "taken something away from them that they can never ever get back and I don't think it was right in that regard." Mr McCartney said he believes Mr Ingraham is "very frustrated and irate" because he realises the FNM's election chances are slim. "He now understands that he has a difficulty at those polls. This is going to be an election where I think the Prime Minister is going to be retired - and he knows that," the DNA leader said. Party chairman and DNA candidate for Ft Charlotte Mark Humes said he feels retiring members were "disrespected" by the abrupt suspension. Mr Humes said it was "another example" of the disrespect and disregard shown by the FNM throughout their five year term in office.