Loretta Butler-Turner in the House of Assembly.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
LONG ISLAND MP Loretta Butler Turner yesterday rejected talks of a coalition between the FNM and the DNA as “not a good idea” given the third party’s fledgling status.
Mrs Butler Turner suggested that the way forward is a merger of the two parties and the disbanding of the DNA, whose only appeal she said was the “Branville McCartney brand”.
In an interview with The Tribune, she said the DNA was not strong enough to sit at the table with the FNM because they held no seats in the House of Assembly.
“A coalition is not the way forward in my opinion. What we should be talking about is a merger and an amalgamation of resources. The DNA has no seats in parliament and cannot bring anything to the table,” Mrs Butler Turner said.
“We are the alternative government, clearly the FNM is the alternative choice for the Bahamian people. I cannot see a grouping that has no seats in parliament dictating how the official opposition should move forward.
She said: “My position is this, as an alternative government, it is in our best interest to go out and bring, whether it is Branville McCartney or Greg Moss or another force, bring them to us and let’s get this worthless government out of power.”
Mrs Butler Turner said the FNM’s brand is stronger than the DNA’s and the DNA should just merge with the FNM.
“I do not think the DNA’s brand is strong enough to sit to the table and say ‘we want a coalition’. They do not enjoy the wide spectrum of appeal. Branville McCartney has a following as an individual, the DNA does not have the brand, Branville does,” Mrs Butler Turner said.
“They cannot go out as a brand and win the government, the FNM brand was stronger. I would recommend the DNA disbands and becomes a part of the FNM.”
DNA Leader Branville McCartney told The Tribune last week he had been approached “several times” by senior members within the FNM, as well as sitting FNM MPs, to join the official opposition.
Mr McCartney said while the DNA will never “fold up” and join a “sinking FNM” he proposed for the two parties to “join forces and work together” to oust the the PLP.
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said that while he is “open” to forming a coalition he is “turned off” by Mr McCartney’s arrogance. However, he said, he is willing to do “whatever it takes” to rid the country of the PLP.
Neither Dr Minnis nor Mr McCartney has explained exactly how the coalition would work, or if discussions begun on the partnership have.
Yesterday, former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette expressed support for a “coalition or understanding” between the Free National Movement and the Democratic National Alliance; however, he maintained the FNM didn’t need the DNA to win the next election.
Mr Symonette said while he does not know the details of the proposed partnership, if “accommodations” are made the PLP should be “afraid”.
Comments
sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago
However the anti-PLP politicians solve the problem, they need to UNITE to beat the PLP in the 2017 election ............ it is as simple as that ......... Do not continue to plan in public, get together in private and solve the differences immediately .......... the election is going to be soon!!!!!!
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 5 months ago
LBT is the only one in the FNM with a brain...
Spot on! Bran and his 6 candidates OFFER NOTHING.....
justthefactsplease 8 years, 5 months ago
She may be right in that they have no seat and are still a fledgling party but she (nor anyone else who is being honest) can't deny that the DNA will cause the FNM to lose even with their deficiencies. The best thing is to figure out a way and make it happen for the good of the country. We need to get rid of the PLP, however it is done
arussell 8 years, 5 months ago
I really think the best thing Bran and DNA should do is merge because even if they don't win the next election we will have a stronger opposition and that is exactly whats needed. The sad reality is PLP's supporters DON'T switch before they vote for another party they wont vote at all.
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
licks2 8 years, 5 months ago
Well. . .the fight is on. . .a coalition is the final blow for LBT AND THE PLP! Doc and Bran will form the next PM and DPM! National Review pulled out all the stops. . .that supposedly "neutral" media has become unethical and got personally involved in the political affairs of a political party!
This looks like a desperate "blitzkrieg" by a dying sect to save itself. . .the LBT faction of course. They played their games and now are "powerless" and outside looking in! The national review "implied" this is large print this morning!
A coalition spells that the LBT faction is no longer needed for the Doc faction of the FNM to win the next government!!
If yall don't believe me. . . ask for an early convention now. . . DOC WILL SURELY GIVE IT. . .IT WILL KNOCK THE LBT FACTION OUT OF THE RACE FOR EVER. . . TOTALLY IRRELEVENT TO THE NEXT ELECTION! THE FNM/DNA ELECTION EFFORTS WILL GIVE DOC BACK THE HIGH GROUND. . .
LBT FACTION MUST REMEMBER. . .THE PEOPLE IS THE "POWER" AND ONLY THEM WILL GIVE THE FNM THE GOVERNMENT. . .NOT THE FNM PARTY!
IT IS PAPA OR DOC OUT HERE. . .
TheMadHatter 8 years, 5 months ago
Absolutely correct. I cannot tell you how VERY VERY disappointed I was to just read this position coming from Loretta. I always envisioned her at PM with Bran as DPM.
She has to realize that the DNA has TONS and TONS of support. The people are VERY SICK of these old dead tired politicians and the young people will not vote for more of the same.
Young people are going to come out and vote this time. Yes I know they usually do not. But I have been talking like crazy for months and I can tell you there are MANY MANY young and dynamic Bahamians that are BEYOND SICK of the old foolishness.
Chicken and Beer ain't gonna buy this election.
Publius 8 years, 5 months ago
Media statement of a political novice. This should never have been said by her publicly.
DDK 8 years, 5 months ago
Why so concerned with political correctness? The Lady calls it as she sees it!!
Publius 8 years, 5 months ago
I said nothing about political correctness nor was I referring to it.
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 5 months ago
A coalition can only benefit the DNA.
Bran is on track so far to win zero seats again.
A coalition would give him seats he would never win on his own.
The only way to win is for the FNM to get themselves a dynamic, ass kicking LEADER.
Someone who would attract 2 to 4% of the DNA's 6%.
Do that and the election is in the bag.
TheMadHatter 8 years, 5 months ago
My friend, let me tell you, the support of the DNA is much more than people talking. People ain't going to these polls to vote for the same old fools no more. PLP talking about making Sears leader - ha ha ha ha ha. So funny.
licks2 8 years, 5 months ago
Did read Brent Dean's "people assessment" of LBT? She is rude, impulsive, abusive, difficult to get along with, acts entitled, rich and spoilt. . .etc. The national review threw her under-the-bus for all intent and purposes! Bran will never work with her. . .SHE IS A LOST CAUSE. I must say that I was surprise that the NR was that honest about the people's assessments of LBT. . .Candia Dames could not be that "honest" about LBT because she was to "creased up" with her. . .BUT SHE SURE COULD GIVE DOC MINNIS A GOOD "CUT HIP". . .
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrades the math is there that before the 2012 General, the DNA had one House seat. It decreased its House seat count by 100% on election day. The math also points to the DNA having decreased their 13,225 - 2012 General's total vote count by some 5280 (40%) since 2012. The party's own internal math confirms their its current ability to attract new memberships still places the party iat a minus membership disadvantage over 2012..
I challenge Bran to release the math favouring a merger of any kind with the red party?
Could it be that if Bran were not a publicly declared multi millionaire, the DNA would have folded immediately after the 2012 General.
leeza 8 years, 5 months ago
After reading through the comments, it really makes me smile when I remember the azz whooping that the PLP received in the 1997 election. I for one thought that they were finished, buried never to be resurrected, I was wrong dead wrong. The wrong people the wrong people two parties. I say we are about 400.000 in population the U.S.A. is millions of people how many years now they have been toying between the republican and democrat. Really people I say those persons who supported the DNA last election comprised mostly of the FNM's who thought that they were spiting Hubert Ingraham and his style of leadership and I know that they have regretted that decision and will be voting differently in the upcoming election. Strangely enough people hated Papa's style he was too strong he felt he could do it on his own, now there is a problem with Minnis he is not aggressive enough. I always look at Jesus' did nothing wrong he told them like it was and yet they crucified him.
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