The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN 2012, the Democratic National Alliance made history on many levels. More than 13,000 Bahamians voted for them even though they were a third party and this was their first political challenge for the government of The Bahamas.

They did not win any seats in 2012 but the numbers showed that they accomplished an impressive feat. The vast number of people who voted for the DNA was indicative of the fact that Bahamians had become fed up with the established political parties in the country.

Former Prime Minister, the Hon Hubert Ingraham in what will be remembered as one of his greatest blunders called the DNA a splinter group. He never in his wildest dreams believed that they would have acquired 8.4 per cent of the total votes cast in the 2012 general elections. Many persons believe that the DNA contributed to Mr Ingraham and the Free National Movement’s (FNM’s) loss at the polls.

The last four years have been up and down for the governing  Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the FNM. The DNA is no exception.

Their performance was very sluggish after the general election and they  lost a lot of the momentum they had gained prior to the election.

But four years later they seem to be making noticeable inroads towards  becoming a viable political option. The PLP’s performance to date has been poor with continuing allegations of fiscal irresponsibility and an unmistakable blatant lack of accountability. The economy continues to contract and our latest economic downgrade shows that we are still on the wrong track to recovery. The FNM has had ongoing public leadership issues and this has effectively weakened their party’s base.

The DNA on the other hand despite ongoing blistering critique from media personnel and citizens, continues to push its agenda forward which states that the FNM and the PLP are basically the same party and that if Bahamians want more of the same bad treatment then they should continue to vote for either of these political  parties.

There are many pundits out there who say that a vote for the DNA is a wasted vote. I have never heard more nonsense in my life. Bahamians who vote are exercising one of their most powerful rights as a citizen of this country. 

The premise of this argument is thus ludicrous.

Some also say that the DNA is a one man party. This is also an insult to Bahamians who are thinking clearly. DNA leader Branville McCartney said that they will be offering a full slate of candidates in the 2017 general elections. Some of the ratified candidates are very successful businessmen and their candidacy should be taken seriously.

The DNA has also just completed a two-day convention,  something that the governing party has not done since 2009. They also did not have any major controversies during their convention as did the FNM. Furthermore,  DNA members consist of a wide cross section of society. They are comprised of elite persons in society, blue collar workers and persons who are disabled, a lot of whom appear to be fed up with the unquestionable mismanagement of the country by successive governments.

So for all the die hard PLPs, FNMs and Bahamians out there who for various reasons continue to discount the DNA as a viable political option, I say to you that you are gravely misguided. It is time to wake up to reality.

Stop deceiving yourselves.

Research tells us that a lot of what the DNA says cannot be refuted. Has the PLP and FNM been fiscally prudent during their tenures in government? Has any government ever seriously tackled corporate malfeasance? Do Bahamians own their economy after 49 years of majority rule? The answer to these questions is a resounding NO.

As an observer of the political  climate in the country it would be extremely  foolish to discount the DNA’s significance on the outcome of the next general elections. They appear to be poised to make history again. They are the elephant in the room and from my vantage point, they are the sleeping giant who some still refuse to acknowledge.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

October 2, 2016.