Loretta Butler-Turner
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance finance spokesperson Youri Kemp yesterday criticised Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner’s recent statements on the country’s economy, charging that she has “little or nothing” to offer on the issue other than “empty statements and glittering generalities without substance”.
Mr Kemp, the DNA’s recently ratified Garden Hills candidate, said a recent op-ed by Mrs Butler-Turner failed to provide a “plan of action” for strengthening the economy.
Mr Kemp also criticised the FNM as a whole, charging that the party’s “bitter political turf-war” is the reason the Official Opposition has “no working team on the ground” creating strategies and solutions.
In an op-ed that was published in a local daily on Wednesday, Mrs Butler-Turner suggested that progressing towards an “inclusive economy for all” in the Bahamas would require a reevaluation of the country’s policies in regulation, trade, crime and education.
However, Mr Kemp said Mrs Butler-Turner’s statement did not provide anything substantial.
“…We are simply baffled that she has little or nothing to offer this Bahamas in terms of strengthening our economy other than empty statements, and glittering generalities without substance,” Mr Kemp said in a statement. “No plan of action, just words she wishes the voter to feel from her as words of strength and words that engender confidence.
“We are troubled by this, because we feel as if the Loyal Opposition is in more trouble than we once anticipated. Not only do they have a power struggle happening between the people that are in leadership versus the people they feel should be in leadership and looks best as leadership, they appear to have no working team on the ground devising real strategies, real policies and real plans of actions if they were to win office.”
Mr Kemp also criticised both Mrs Butler-Turner and FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis for offering “no solutions in the public” to the possible downgrade of the country’s sovereign credit rating by Wall Street rating agency Moody’s, or any FNM “policy initiatives” to address the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Article IV report on the country’s “weaker than expected” economic growth.
“This is what we are dealing with: empty talk, empty slogans and half-hearted efforts along with ideas stemming from the leadership of the FNM that have no substance and no analytical ground to them, at all,” Mr Kemp’s statement said.
He added: “All of these factors, along with the people questioning (Mrs Butler-Turner’s) energy level and work ethic, we simply are not prepared to state with any degree of confidence that we feel comfortable with what is emanating out of the opposition party - and our discomfort goes well beyond their bitter political turf-war they are embroiled in today.”
Mrs Butler-Turner will challenge Dr Minnis for his post at the FNM’s convention next week.
• Loretta Butler-Turner statement on the economy, see page 14
Comments
Honestman 8 years, 4 months ago
A bit rich coming from the DNA. Exactly what economic plans has Branville McCartney put forward? What does the DNA stand for apart from the restoration of capital punishment? Perhaps others can enlighten me.
justthefactsplease 8 years, 4 months ago
Go online to their website and educate yourself...click subheading "Issues" and read the Economic Plan...then criticize them based on facts. And while you are criticizing their plan maybe you can suggest a better one. Oh, and by the way...it ain about Bran...there are hundreds of us putting our heads together to offer a better option to the country.
newcitizen 8 years, 4 months ago
So, feeling I needed the facts, I took your advice and read the DNA's Economic plan. There is extremely little about actionable plans. Promote tourism and promote agriculture are not concrete solutions. This is on top of the fact that they have not revisted this Plan in years as they write that the national debt is only $4.1B (that was a few years ago).
The DNA's economic plan addresses a lot of obvious issues but does not offer more than a cursory look into ways to actual solve the problems. Lots of word, not a lot of substance.
https://www.mydnaparty.org/issues/econo…
Publius 8 years, 4 months ago
This Kemp character should be the last to make such a statement. His social media commentaries on economic matters are so embarrassingly ill-informed that there has to be a rule on that social media platform somewhere that is being violated. It is beyond frightening to see the caliber of people wanting to assume parliament and cabinet positions in this country, and that goes for PLP, FNM and DNA.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 4 months ago
A simple case of the pot calling the kettle BLACK
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 4 months ago
Right now there is only one way to strengthen our economy.
Get rid of the PLP.
That one move alone would increase our standing in the world tremendously.
The next step is to prosecute the crooks in the PLP. Especially over Bahamar.
SP 8 years, 4 months ago
Don't forget to prosecute your FNM Cabinet "crooks" that co-conspired with Fred Ramsey bribery!
FNM are no better than PLP. Both are as crooked as Exuma roads!
Honestman 8 years, 4 months ago
If we are talking corruption then the PLP are in a league of their own.
SP 8 years, 4 months ago
No doubt PLP are pirates too, but FNM Cabinet wins the prize for being caught hands down in corruption!
TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! When non-supporters are stepping forward accusing a constituencies MP, of being a "fake" it is a serious matter in itself. When the people who voted for you are systematically stepping forward…it can have a deadly July 27-29, 2016 affect to cash-in against claimed leadership’s makeover high net-worth.
When you're campaign shtick's last ditch efforts to rescue a 'dual leadership' campaign from coming totally unglued from reality is now designed on selling the 410 voting delegates on the idea you've undergone a 'lessons learned from previous leadership defeats' type ‘conversion therapy' - you had have known it would be enough raise the suspicions of your critics to come marching through the campaign's door, with take no hostages, all guns loaded and both barrels blazing?
Oh yeah, just for the 410 voting delegates edification, I didn't just make the part up about ‘conversion therapy' as her last minute to July 27-29, 2016 campaign schtick.
At minimum, personally speaking, I say, if you're prepared to go down the ‘conversion therapy' road on your teams way to convention, why shouldn't them 410 voting delegates, asks see some kinds proof of her claim of undergoing ‘conversion therapy' - like say a notarized certificate from a rehab specialists up at the Sandilands 'Conversion Therapy' Centre?
SP 8 years, 4 months ago
.................................. Youri Kemp's statement has a lot of merit ...................................
Mr. Kemp actually make lots of sense. What has BLT brought to the table that would compel someone to consider her as leader?
Other than ceaselessly berating Dr. Minnis, BLT has not offered any alternatives to his plans.
DillyTree 8 years, 4 months ago
It's not like the DNA has had much to offer by way of solutions. Remember that the only reason the PLP have been able to run unchecked is because the DNA drew off so many votes as to let the PLP win in 2012. And they'll do it again. Watch.
All just so Branville can be in charge. Kind of like Borat with his "I have a chair. King of the castle" parody.
The DNA would do better joining forces with the FNM so the PLP can be sent packing in 2017. Otherwise, it will be more PLP for 5 more long years - if the Bahamas even survives to 2017 -- let alone 2022.
TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! My trusted source, well not likes the kinds source I'd want swear on the Holy Bible reliability, tells of Bran and Minnis having met several times, although unable confirm a possible surprise move from the convention's floor of a Bran's return as a full-pledged red shirt?
licks2 8 years, 4 months ago
I HAVE HEARD LBT TALK ALL OVER THE PLACE. . .SHE HAS NOT PRESENTED ANYTHING BUT GENERAL SOUND BITES. . .I AM WAITING FOR HER FIVE-POINT PLAN! FIGHTING ALL THOSE FOUR YEARS TO BE THE MAXIMUM LEADER OF THE FNM AND DON'T HAVE A DAMN PLAN OF WHAT TO "DO WITH THE CAR" WHEN SHE CATCH IT! YINNA MUSSIE DANG CRAZY AYE? THATS THE LAZY LEADER WE ALL KNOW LBT AS. . .ALL MOUTH AND LITTLE SUBSTANCE!
THIS WOMAN IS ONE BIG JOKE. . .ALL BAD MOUTH AND LITTLE BRAIN IT SEEMS. . .I EXPECTED MORE FROM HER. . . ONLY YINNA SUPPORTERS AROUND HERE "SEE" ANYTHING FROM HER. . .JUST WATCH DR SANDS FACE WHEN SHE SPEAKS. . ."THIS WOMAN IS SOOOOOOOOO LOST" IS WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE!!
ONE OF YINNA NEED TO TELL HIM TO "CHECK" HIS ATTITUDE ON HIS FACE WHEN THEY BOTH APPEAR IN PUBLIC TOGETHER!! WE LOOKING AT HIM TOO. . .HIS ATTITUDE WHEN HE IS WIWTH HER TELLS US A LOT. . .I THINK HE AND PAPA HAVE A PLAN TO "SWING" LBT AND DOC SO THAT PAPA AND SANDS END UP LEADER AND DEPUTY. . .HIS FACE SAYS THAT HE DON'T LBT HAS ANYTHING BUT FLUFF!
WHY SHE TALKING TO US THE PUBLIC ANYWAY. . .WE CAN'T VOTE IN THEIR PARTY CONVENTION. . .SHE NEEDS TO CARRY HER BACKSIDE AND GO TALK TO THEM DELIGATES THEM SO.
THIS IS USUALLY HOW "EMPTY BARRELS" THEM ARE. . .MAKING PLENTY NOISE. . .CRITISIZING EVERYBODY BUT CAN'T DO A THING. . .BUT RUN THEIR MOUTH! SHE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE TELLING US HOW DOC WAS NOT DOING "THINGS" RIGHT AND SHE CAN DO THEM BETTER! NOW ALL WE SEE IS FLUFF. . .NOT EVEN A DANG PLAN ALL THESE YEARS. . .NOT A STICH! THE PUBLIC HAS PLACED HER "OUT IN THE POLITICAL GABBAGE CAN". . . SHE NEEDS TO SHUT UP WITH HER "POOR GUTTER" WORDS AND ACT LIKE SHE IS LIKELY TO BECOME OUR PM. . .IF SHE BEAT THE DOC!! WHAT I SEE IS NOT WHAT I WANT. . .
newcitizen 8 years, 4 months ago
This is typical of any politician in this country. When have you heard anything of substance from any of them. It's all just BS. Always so worried about who insulted them and how they deserve respect. Not one actual concrete solution for progress or change, for years now.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 4 months ago
Loretta's acumen at dealing with economic issues should have resulted in some relief and development in her depressed island constituency .......... so far Long Island is still on economic life support under her four years ........ she inherited a bad ship and now the ship is rotting
TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago
Comrade Sheeprunner12 setting aside of an examination Loretta's business acumen as I know little about her performances on that level, I do know the cabinet records can speak to the how she was incapable of transferring whatever business acumen she possessed at the time - over to the ministry Papa Hubert appointed her to as a junior minister.
In fact I've been told that her own cabinet colleagues might say her skills were in the dumpster as a minister of the crown - but you'd have ask them directly if they wish speak up There must be some truth to such a shared opinion of Loretta when if you think about it she never touts the good job she did as a cabinet minister - and this is from a woman who definitely is not shy to blow her own accomplishments horn?
licks2 8 years, 4 months ago
That is because she would like for you, me and Sam them to not bring that subject up. . .even the Auditor General asserted in their latest report that the period of her administration of that agency was the "most chaotic" period . . . persons "destroyed" records for that period before they got to them! That's public records. Now all we are getting from her is platitudes and people whisper and hunches of "out to do her in". When she said that she would pay the $50,000 when the party addressed some of her concerns about the convention planning process. . .BUT SHE DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT. . .BUT SHE HAS CONCERNS! Well-mudder-sic. . .WHO THIS WOMAN REALLY IS. . .FOR REAL YINNA SUPPORTERS THEM AROUND HERE. . .HER HEAD JAM AYE!
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