Branville McCartney
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday said he wanted to make it “absolutely clear” that his affiliation with the FNM was a “thing of the past” affirming that he was “already home with the DNA.”
Mr McCartney was responding to what he labelled as “overtures” made by FNM supporters in recent weeks. He vowed that both he and his party are here to stay.
He was contacted after former deputy prime minister Frank Watson told The Tribune that it was time that the former Bamboo Town MP “comes back home,” referring to the FNM. Mr Watson is also a senior member of the Free National Movement.
Mr McCartney said despite “rumours” centred on the possibility that he may return to the FNM, he has no intentions of going back.
“Bran is not going to the FNM, Bran is not folding up the DNA. The DNA is bigger than Bran. To make it absolutely clear - I, Branville McCartney will remain with the DNA and we are moving forward,” he said.
McCartney launched the DNA in 2011, after resigning from the Ingraham Cabinet and the FNM because he was dissatisfied with the party’s policies and what he considered a lack of opportunity for members of the party to express their concerns about the direction of the nation.
The DNA leader acknowledged that he and Mr Watson have enjoyed a “great working relationship” over the years, but said his decision goes beyond “friendship, popularity, public debates and even party colours.”
“Instead of focusing on party allegiances, we should be focused on how we can improve the issues this country has with healthcare, crime, education, environment and unemployment. That is what the DNA is working to do.
“If you took a long hard look at the Bahamas, you would have to admit that as a country the Bahamas is in a bad place. How we have progressed as a country in the past 40 plus years, it is not good. We our suffering, the country is suffering,” he said.
“We have persons from both sides of the political divide who came to the DNA because they understand that the PLP and the FNM aren’t truly working to move the Bahamas forward. There are those out there that want to keep up a two-party system but there is a larger percentage of people out there that are focused on moving away from that political way of thinking and they want to move the Bahamas forward.
“The DNA is quickly becoming the party for those that want to see the Bahamas move forward. In only 11 months we garnered ten per cent of the vote. Since the 2012 election, our base is three times larger than it was at that time.
“We are becoming a huge party with a deep bench,” said Mr McCartney.
Last week, Mr Watson said the DNA could be a spoiler in the next general election.
“I don’t know who they will spoil it for, whether the FNM or the PLP this time,” Mr Watson said in a recent interview. “I think Bran ought to come back home. I don’t think he is (in) tune with the PLP’s philosophy. He’s got something going for him. He’d certainly be an asset to (the FNM).”
His comments came as the FNM faces increasing criticism for its performance as an opposition, with some critics blasting Dr Hubert Minnis’ leadership style. The FNM has also faced criticism in some quarters for not being aggressive enough when dealing with the perceived missteps of the Christie administration.
Mr McCartney said although it is “unfortunate” that his former party is going through reported leadership issues, his new party is “working to holding the government’s feet to the fire.”
“The (DNA) has been a stronger opposition than the real opposition,” he said. “To have a functioning government you need a strong opposition. To this point (the FNM) has not been a strong opposition. The DNA is in the community. The DNA is working. The DNA is trying to make the lives of Bahamians better.”
According to Mr McCartney, the DNA represents the “ideology change” the Bahamas needs. He claimed that the DNA “came as a result of the need for a new political option.”
Comments
Economist 9 years, 5 months ago
Good, now give us ten good candidates and a plan for fixing the country. You can do this!
The other parties have shown that they don't know what they are doing, give us a viable alternative.
asiseeit 9 years, 5 months ago
Yes, what is your stance on corruption? Will you put those found to be corrupt in Fox Hill? What is your plan, election season is kicking off, so lets hear it. Also you better get better candidates because the last set where a joke.
asiseeit 9 years, 5 months ago
A bounty on corrupt politicians? How much does corruption cost each and every Bahamian? I would say well over a thousand dollars. Lost education, lost development, lost economy, lost chances for advancement. Productivity? Outright Theft? A bounty on the corrupt scum would be cheap compared to what corruption costs this country. Can you imagine where this country could be if our leaders really WORKED for the country? Could ou imagine if everyone had to play by the same rules and those rules where laid out fair and square? The more I think about this bounty on corrupt scum the more I want it to happen. If every Bahamian put say $10 in the fund, boy we could catch some slime ball, dead easy. Bahamians love money, this would be a way for them to make money AND help their nation. 0
TalRussell 9 years, 5 months ago
Oh man, oh man, this is awesome play on words by a lawyer turned politician, cuz Comrades if you do as I have done, been in close study on the bushy eyebrows behavior of Bran every time he denies his red shirts leadership ambitions, and after careful observations, I now concludes it is truly the truth for Bran to say he is staying put with his green party but only as long as dodges the question of a merger between the reds and the greens. For you see, if they merge, Bran can always say, he never left the DNA for the reds. All I saying is Minnis might want to undergo a transplant, to install one he eyeballs dead center on his back.
John 9 years, 5 months ago
Bran says he does not know weather his party will spoil it for the PLP or FNM in the next election. But the handwriting is on the wall. Clearly written. While the FNM is still grappling with a leadership change that have left some members concerned over the leadership style of the two Huberts, the PLP seems to have embarked on a massive (and costly) public relations campaign to win back not only its own disgruntled supporters, but support for the PLP government in general. Of course having access to the country's public purse makes this an essy feat as they can clearly label all their actions under "a caring government ", or building a stronger Bahamas. When a dog is really he does not care which hand feeds him and human nature is not much different. Bran is fortunate to have the capacity to finance his DNA party almost single handedly and this creates a problem for the FNM, who must now offer the DNA leadership substantial concessions to get them to disband and rejoin the FNM. On the other hand if the PLP is successful in getting its own members back in the fold, it can totally ignore the DNA and consider them a rift in the opposition. Unlike the FNM or the DNA their focus will be on fighting a split, but single opposition. This is to their advantage and from here on in their loyalty needs to be only to their own membership. Then after the election hindsight will be 20:20 vision for those who cannot see now.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 5 months ago
At least Bran is offering Bahamians a choice AGAIN. A choice which only 8% of voters had enough sense to take last time.
With all the down-turned economy in Freeport and many parts of Nassau (and Long Island and Eleuthera) - it is unbelievable that Bahamians did not see fit to give the DNA even ONE seat - so they could at least speak during Parliament and offer up alternative ideas and rebuttal.
But Bahamians don't like change, and I'm sure many would rejoice should Pindling rise from the grave tonight and walk into the PMs office tomorrow morning and seize again the reigns of power.
The joy of backward movement is one of the greatest joys that Bahamians experience in this lifetime.
TheMadHatter
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 5 months ago
The DNA has thus far failed to attract a slate of electable candidates with the charisma, drive and energy, integrity and superior core competencies compared to the same 'ole corrupt bozos that the FNM and PLP alike keep putting forward as their candidates come general election time. This is the real challenge for the DNA!
SP 9 years, 5 months ago
......................................... Very Encouraging Breaking News .........................................
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney's announcement that he is staying with the DNA is the best news Bahamians could possibly have hoped for.
The DNA should now focus on negotiating with disgruntled PLP and FNM MP's, other fringe parties and independents with the goal of forming a strong unified coalition to go up against the PLP and FNM.
A coalition led by DNA targeting PLP and FNM corruption as a campaign theme will be absolutely, totally unstoppable!
This DNA led coalition against corruption would easily win hands-down 100% of seats across the length and breath of Bahamas translating into ample opportunities for the coalition to participate in meaningful governance of the country.
EVERYONE KNOWS Corruption is undeniably the root cause of our countries failure in every sphere of governance. And the ultimate cause of all woes destroying our country.
Branville must now begin to articulate his stance on corruption, how serious is he about exposing corruption on BOTH sides of the fence, what will a DNA led government do with those found to be corrupt? To what lengths will a DNA government go to bring justice to ANYONE found involved in past corruption at ANYTIME?
These are the questions DNA must answer before the electorate takes them serious.
I am certainly ready to throw full financial support behind a DNA anti-corruption campaign!
After all, it would be the absolute best investment I could possibly ever make into securing my children's future!
duppyVAT 9 years, 5 months ago
At least we know where he stands .................... we can respect that and make our voting decision in 2017 based on what he does in the next 18 months.
DEDDIE 8 years, 12 months ago
Part of political smarts is the ability to forecast. If Dr. Bernard Nottage and his defunct party couldn't win a seat, no party outside of the PLP and FNM will govern this country. I have voted for every third party and my vote will not go to waste again. It's obvious, the people don't want a third party.Dr. Bernard Nottage had everything necessary to win, name recognition, experience, a good slate of candidates and still couldn't win one seat.
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