The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said he has not "given any consideration" to public speculation that his party could be the destination for those seven Free National Movement (FNM) parliamentarians who ousted Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr McCartney admitted he was still "somewhat surprised" that divisions within his former party were allow to fester without senior members stepping in to employ "corrective measures".

The former Bamboo Town MP said while he has not communicated directly with neither Dr Minnis nor new Leader of the Opposition, Loretta Butler-Turner, the latest chapter in their long-standing discord had opened the door to many political opportunities, many of which he claimed needed to be "thoroughly considered" before being explored.

Mrs Butler-Turner mounted efforts on two separate occasions to replace Dr Minnis as party leader in conventions.

In 2014 she relinquished the Deputy Leader post at the party's convention to pursue the top position but was beaten by a wide margin. Earlier this year her second attempt died on the convention floor as she dropped out of the leadership race amid claims of mass corruption within the process.

Wednesday's move was met with staunch criticism of Mrs Butler-Turner, with many in the party labelling her as "power-hungry".

The majority of political observers have speculated that there is no way for the Long Island MP to make a return to the party, with many expressing the view that she should lead her faction into a merger with some other opposition faction or form a new political party.

Speaking to the possibility of a merger with the DNA, Mr McCartney told The Tribune: "Obviously the rumours, talks, speculations and things are floating around out there. I have heard of many since coming back to town just (Thursday) evening," he said when asked about rumours that the DNA could take in the parliamentary group once ousted.

"The DNA is a big, a huge green tent that is opened to anyone interested in moving this country forward in a positive light. No, I haven't spoken to anyone from the FNM; the news was news to me when I heard about it, and to be honest, I haven't given any thought to any of the possibilities at this stage. And there are several that need to be thoroughly considered before turning down or accepting.

"But all the speculation to this point is just that, speculation, from the DNA's standpoint."

The country was stunned on Wednesday as House Speaker Dr Major revealed during the morning session that seven members of the FNM caucus in the House submitted a letter of no confidence to the Governor General, which stated that they had voted to be led in oppoistion by Mrs Butler-Turner.

The petition to rescind Dr Minnis’ post as leader of the Official Opposition was accepted by Dr Major and the Governor General gave the nod of approval to their request on Friday.

The letter bore the signatures of Mrs Butler-Turner, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.

FNM members Renward Wells, the Bamboo Town MP, and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest did not sign this request to remove Dr Minnis, who remains leader of the FNM.

When asked about the state of the FNM by The Tribune, Mr McCartney said he was still somewhat surprised by the saga. Noting that he has been aware of internal issues within the FNM as far back as the early 2000s, he held the belief that senior members of the party would step in and prevent the party from descending into the "public spectacle" it has now become.

"From my time there, I knew there were issues. From when I left in 2011, I thought my departure would lead to some course correction, but matters were left uncorrected and this is where that party now finds itself. It is sad, but there is nothing that can be done overnight to fix the issues there.

"Admittedly, the FNM will have to deal with their issues. And yes, that is going to take sometime, but the issues of the country will not take a back seat to their crisis. We in the DNA are working to address those issues. That work doesn't stop.

"We're concentrated on this upcoming election, as we need to stay focused on ridding the country of the Progressive Liberal Party. We want to make opportunities to make this country better.

"We want to ensure that those persons living hand to mouth are able to build better lives for their families. If this government can spend $20m on big party in the streets, then it proves that an effective government can bring the necessary changes to our society with good decision-making, fiscal disciplined and honest and transparent governance."

Hours after being ousted as Opposition Leader, Dr Minnis, in his capacity of party leader sent letters of charges to the seven parliamentarians - calling for their resignations.