The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance chairman Mark Humes has formally resigned from the party, saying the decison was in keeping with his principles and what he believes to be “right and true”.

In a press statement yesterday, Mr Humes, who was recently elected president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB), said he informed the party’s executive branch of his decision on Monday.

“Although the decision to resign was a difficult one to make,” said Mr Humes, “in great part because of the tremendous amount of encouragement that I have gotten from so many people in the Bahamian public at large as chairman of the DNA, it was one that had to be made in keeping with my convictions, principles, and what I understand and believe to be right and true.”

He added: “I am now at a stage and junction in my personal, professional, and political growth where I have been forced to reassess and reevaluate my life’s direction and priorities, with part of that reassessment and reevaluation calling for me to take a careful and considerate look at all aspects of my involvement with the party.”

While Mr Humes maintains that the decision to abdicate his post was personally motivated, DNA Leader Branville McCartney yesterday said the former chairman was asked to step down by executive members because of inactivity.

“In the circumstances Mr Humes’ resignation was most warranted and accepted,” Mr McCartney said.

“You would have noticed for sometime that the chairman had been quite inactive in the party, and this was recognized by the executive membership earlier this year.”

He added: “Just going back to our anniversary, he was not present and again that started from the fact that he may have been involved in UTEB. His focus seemed to have been elsewhere and when it comes down to carrying out duties, if you don’t carry it out – as it’s been shown previously, you will be asked to step down.”

Mr Humes, assistant professor in the School of English Studies at the College of the Bahamas, ran as the party’s candidate for Fort Charlotte in last year’s general election, where he received 519 votes.

He was elected to the top post of UTEB on April 11.

In his press statement yesterday, Mr Humes said: “I will forever be grateful to the officers and members of the DNA, the many persons in the Bahamian public – from Grand Bahama and Abaco to Inagua, and the people of Fort Charlotte for the auspicious opportunity they have afforded me, on a national level, to make a contribution to and have an impact on the building of a national consciousness – both as the Chairman of the DNA and as a party candidate in the great constituency of Fort Charlotte.”

Mr McCartney said the party’s executive will meet to determine whether or not a new chairman will be selected in the interim before the next general election.

He added that the third party will continue to focus on building its supporter base and serving as a government watchdog.