DNA Leader Branville McCartney
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DNA Leader Branville McCartney yesterday urged voters in the Bamboo Town constituency to give him another opportunity to represent them, as he suggested that the current area representative Renward Wells has undermined their trust.
Mr McCartney lambasted Mr Wells for not adequately informing constituents ahead of his move to the Free National Movement last week.
Mr Wells, along with then independent Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, crossed the floor of the House of Assembly to join the FNM last Wednesday.
According to Mr McCartney, Mr Wells’ decision not to meet with his constituents and discuss his move prior to the announcement essentially voided his parliamentary allegiance to the Bamboo Town constituency.
He recalled the details of his resignation from the FNM in 2011 over the sale of the majority stake of BTC to Cable & Wireless Communications.
The former Cabinet minister said that at the time of the sale, he met with his constituents to tell voters of the government’s intent and asked how they wanted him to vote on the matter.
Mr McCartney claimed that FNM supporters not only interrupted that meeting but also brought it to an end.
“But 80 per cent of the people of Bamboo Town at that time; not only from that meeting, but through social media, through door-to-door (canvassing) indicated that they wished for me to go in an opposite direction than the party I was sitting with,” he said.
“The right thing to do at that time, since it was a national issue that we were voting on, was to step down, remove yourself from the allegiance of the party and do what the people who voted you in wanted to do and that is what I did,” he added.
Mr McCartney captured 1,022 votes in the 2012 general election, 918 less than Mr Wells.
“The sacrifice that I made for Bamboo Town was going with what the persons in Bamboo Town wanted me to do, I ultimately lost. As a matter of fact, I came third out of four people in the last election, I was handsomely defeated.”
“I think the people of Bamboo Town should give me an opportunity to represent them again and show them what real representation is. I will campaign on my record in Bamboo Town, what was done in Bamboo Town as a representative.”
Last night, as a guest of Peace’s 107.5FM’s show Hard Copy, Mr Wells apologised to his constituents for not telling them beforehand of his plans to join the FNM.
He also said he planned to remain with the FNM for the remainder of his political career.
Meanwhile, DNA Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer said the DNA never extended an invitation to Mr Wells or Dr Rollins to join the third party. He said they were considered a “liability”.
“When they started the National Development Party they espoused a level of independence, true democracy – in terms of those being the things we need from our members of Parliament to make a great country.
“They have broken every single word that they said. How can you trust them? It means that their actions and words don’t equate.”
“So why should we (the DNA) trust them, why should Dr (Hubert) Minnis trust them, why should the Bahamian people trust them? We have two men in two constituencies that were put there by people and they broke that promise too.”
“It is a liability. Politics unfortunately makes for strange bedfellows,” Mr Mortimer added.
Both Mr Wells and Dr Rollins were members of the now defunct National Development Party before they joined the PLP in 2011.
Comments
TalRussell 9 years ago
Comrade Bran sat in talk show studio this morning while being shouted down by "His Eminence" Ortland H.,. and I was beyond disbelief, why any political party's leader, a politician of stature, or anyone aspiring to be PM, would sit just there and be hushed like a little baby lamb - while "His Eminence," proceeded onward, forward to shred the political flesh off Bran's body.
This political party's Emporer has all his clothes on but no flesh left.
HarryWyckoff 9 years ago
This the same pretty boy who vowed he would step down as leader of the DNA if he lost his seat at the last elections?
Pretty boy a liar like the rest.
AwayInSchool 9 years ago
Please dont be one of those Bahamians that only read headlines and not actual news articles.
AwayInSchool 9 years ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
HarryWyckoff 9 years ago
You can't 'accidentally' crop the next sentence just to fit your arguments!!!
Please don't be another on of those Bahamians that makes sh*t up to fit their own made up versions of the actual really real world truth.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
Franklyn 9 years ago
Branville McCartney please, please! pray to All Mighty God to help you with your stubborn pride problem ...you are stating to look like the Side-Show with the man who has being crying for a million years see all your stubborn tears ...don't be saddest show in town. This country needs fixing - paramount! to any rational you may have. You young politicians must take the lead ...and set the right examples, leader or not. Your stubbornness is reflecting on you poorly my friend - man-up to your pride brother and go home ...go back to the FNM and help fix this county if you really care about this place. Or are you are just another opportunistic power craz politician.
TruePeople 9 years ago
Bey dis bey alwasy have one jokie look on he face jhed
wasturrup8493 9 years ago
Mr McCartney is doing to much talking for the likes of people who are similar to me. What you need to be doing sir is showing the people of the Bamboo Town constituency and to a greater effect, The Bahamas why you should be their leader. It's all well and dandy to blow up the press sir, but your people need to see you involved in their lives. You just talk to much man. You gotta start getting involved in your community and show them that you actually care and by active leadership in your constituency the country will take notice. Put in work and stop paying dues. The people know what is what.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 12 months ago
There has never been an opportunity for a third party like we have today.
The PLP are weak based on their performance the last 3.5 years.
The FNM are weak based on their performance the last 3.5 years.
Yet the DNA has not been able to exploit this situation.
If I were Bran I would step down and allow someone else to lead. That would add significant legitimacy to the DNA. The DNA would then become an actual party with an actual chance.
I know if there was a viable third choice I would most definitely look at it.
Minnis is not my leader and after this Wells bull he will never be my leader.
Now if I can just get the Tribune's web page to accept my name change.....
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