The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

DURING a press conference at DNA headquarters yesterday, party leader Branville McCartney said Bahamians can trust his leadership to move the country forward.

While acknowledging their contributions to the country, Mr McCartney said FNM leader Hubert Ingraham and PLP leader Perry Christie have nothing further to offer the Bahamas.

He said: "Their time has come, they have done what they can do, they have run their race, their race is over.

"Both Mr Christie and Mr Ingraham are out of ideas, it is something personal for them now and it is not good for the country what they want to do - a friendly rivalry to the detriment of the Bahamian people."

Responding to questions about his leadership and experience, Mr McCartney said it is political rhetoric to say that he should have waited before forming his own party and becoming leader.

"If you wait for what they want you to do, you will be waiting for the 'neverary'," said Mr McCartney, "the time is always right to do what is right and not to wait."

He said the formation of the DNA is a testament to his leadership skills, and claimed both Mr Ingraham and Mr Christie tried to form their own parties earlier in their careers, but failed.

Mr McCartney said he is not a "career politician" and would have preferred a life outside the political arena - but he saw the need for change.

"The way this country is going instead of me sitting back and complaining," he said, "I want to be the change I want to see in the country."

Mr McCartney said over the last 20 years, with "so-called experienced leaders at the helm," the social fabric of the Bahamas has deteriorated.

"What is most important and the greatest resource that we have, and which goes to the ethos of the DNA party, is the people. You build up the people and the people will build the country," he said.

Confident that he will again secure the Bamboo Town constituency, Mr McCartney said from "day one" he has done his best as a member of parliament for the area.

"I feel confident that the Bahamian people of Bamboo Town will put me back in," he said.

Backing all 38 DNA hopefuls, Mr McCartney said he is proud of his candidates, who represent a cross-section of society.

He said: "We are putting ourselves out there to try and make a difference for a better Bahamas. The Bahamian people have a choice - they know what the FNM and PLP did or did not do, more importantly they know where we are today and it is not good."