The Tribune

Branville McCartney’s offer to disaffected FNM supporters last week was a brilliant move, says Malcolm J Strachan . . .

Most Bahamians are today still trying to ‘catch themselves’ after a raucous week filled with convention shenanigans and political pomposity.

From calls for tube tying and threats of resignations, to actual resignations in the House of Assembly, it’s any wonder we can keep it together in this crazy town called Nassau. Our political class has effectively lost their collective minds - figuratively of course.

The question most people ask themselves once they’ve gone around the political mulberry bush is, where do we go from here? The Free National Movement (FNM) battle circa 2016 has come and gone in a whimper.

What was expected to be an all-out battle royal was nothing more than a whiff in the wind - with only the odd starfish to remind us of better days.

The torch that once shone so bright has lost a few flames ... and a few supporters along the way.

Following the unfortunately named ‘Because You Matter’ FNM convention, party supporters were left mortified. Where has their party gone, they asked? What is this foolishness on my TV, they questioned? Is it too late to get Papa back, they pleaded!

The questions went on and on without answer, until they saw at last there was no hope in putting humpty dumpty back together again. The FNM was irreparably broken. Its supporters were in shock, and in desperate need of therapy.

The doctor they didn’t want was the doctor they got, and this doctor, like his fish supplier, makes house calls.

But this was no laughing matter to many. For the greater risk involved was the yet to be met villain of the piece - the scourge of our 700 islands and cays, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

Was it foolhardy to imagine that Dr Hubert Minnis could mount a successful campaign against such an enemy? How can this current FNM machine defeat such a foe? No doubt, the financial backers of the party would come running to lend their support to their newly-crowned prince once again. We think not.

They are, as they were before, still concerned about the leadership of the party - now more so than ever. So where do these backers go? Where do these dissatisfied FNM supporters go? Not to the PLP - so where?

In their eyes they have no home. Their party is finished.

As the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader Branville McCartney so aptly put it, the FNM “is dead”.

Now, normally we are not one to engage in the machinations of third party manoeuverings, but the more we listen to Mr McCartney, the more we fear the country, nay, the FNM, would not be where they were if this young man had stood his ground and remained with the FNM.

Last week, Branville offered a timely olive branch to FNMs who were upset and hurting, to join with him in rescuing the Bahamas from the PLP.

It was a bold move, and one that showed political maturity. While the other leaders in the party were busy scalping each other, here was a former FNM reaching out to that party’s base assuring them of a safe harbour. There’s one word for this type of political move - brilliance.

But, does Bran have what it takes to truly capitalise on this infighting within the FNM to give the PLP a run for their money?

Let us look at what he told the media last week.

“Last week, the Free National Movement attempted to hold a National Convention under the theme of Unity. What many witnessed for the first time, is what I had discovered seven years ago - the FNM that was built on the ideals of democracy, transparency, and accountability is dead.

“It has been replaced by the same incompetence and corruption that has come to define the Progressive Liberal Party.

“I take no pleasure in making these statements. To come to this point is a very painful reality for many Bahamians.

“But both of these parties are mere shadows of their former selves. The DNA truly believes that the people of this country are its most precious resource, above all natural or material resources.

“This is not the PLP that led us to majority rule. This is not the PLP that led us into Independence and gave us National Insurance. Likewise, this is not the FNM that opened up the airwaves, or provided critical infrastructure on our Family Islands.

“The vision that existed in those parties is long gone. But now, what we must decide as a people, is where do we go from here.

“For those who believe in democracy, who want a better future for our country, a future that provides real opportunities for Bahamians, we invite you to join with us in the Democratic National Alliance.”

Now, whether or not this will translate into a flood of supporters joining up with the DNA is yet to be seen, but what matters is that he made the offer in the first place.

Let’s remember, in 2012, the DNA showed just how powerful a small, fledgling political party can be. They were, by all accounts, the chief force that ensured the defeat of the then FNM Government by stealing away thousands of voters from their traditional base.

Independents and millennials were also attracted to the message of a new party, with new ideals - and a departure from the status quo.

That party has had four years to build on its track record.

It would be foolish for any political leader, be it Minnis, or Prime Minister Perry Christie, to count them out of 2017.

We have yet to make up our minds about the DNA for 2017. While the party still has its share of issues with quality candidates, it can hardly be worse than the lot we have in office today - or the crew in the FNM.

We have a smorgasbord of “has-beens” and “what’s their face again” candidates who wash up at the polls every five years for a walloping.

We believe Bahamians this time around, have a shock up their sleeve for all of them.

As Branville McCartney said in his speech last week, “As a country the issues that we are facing are far too serious for us to continue to accept the status quo. Bahamians deserve better than a “Dancer in Chief”, or a man who can’t dance at all.”

We agree with him. The real question is, do you?

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