DNA leader Branville McCartney.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney confirmed yesterday that he, along with senior members of the Free National Movement and other third party executives, met last week to discuss how they can all work together to “get rid of” the Progressive Liberal Party.
Mr McCartney told The Tribune the meeting was organised by “private citizens” who believe that an alliance between the opposition political parties is best for the country before the next general election.
However, Mr McCartney said he has “some reservations” about a possible alliance because the FNM seems to be “a sinking ship.”
“I got an interesting call from a private individual a few days ago asking me to attend a meeting,” Mr McCartney said. “They based the meeting on the premise that they realised that the DNA was here to stay and that the DNA has done something significant over the last five years and that we have grown.
“A call was made and I obliged and attended the meeting to hear what they had to say. There were persons from the business community, bankers, financial persons and other professionals along with the FNM and other persons from other parties. The concern was that even though the PLP is incompetent and may be polling low right now, we cannot take this for granted and take the chance that the PLP will be re-elected. They just want us to do what is good for the country and they felt as though what is best is for all of us to somehow get together. The meeting was to feel us out and then we are going to have other subsequent follow up meetings.”
Mr McCartney said that while he was open to the idea of a coalition a few months ago, because of all the negative press the FNM has been getting lately, he “isn’t sure” anymore.
“The FNM is sinking. Every day people are leaving the party,” Mr McCartney said.
“They are having problems with Loretta Butler-Turner, their finances, it seems to be a lot of unfortunate circumstances surrounding that party and we have a maximum of eight months to campaign, that may not be enough time for them to get it together. Also, the last time I talked about a coalition, that did not go to well with certain members of my party. We have some strong members in the party and I have to talk to them before any decision is made, that is not something I can do myself.”
In May, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said he was open to forming a coalition with the DNA but said he is “turned off” by Mr McCartney’s arrogance.
Dr Minnis said he was “disappointed with Mr McCartney for his “bombastic arrogant attitude, when persons are trying to reach out and move the PLP.”
He maintained that he was willing to have the conversation but admitted that he had “no idea” how a possible coalition would work.
Comments
theplpsucks 8 years, 2 months ago
I cant wait for them to interview Bran after he has lost his seat again.
Emac 8 years, 2 months ago
Boy this one arrogant man. He just doesn't get it! No man is an island. If he really loves the Bahamas and the Bahamian people like he claims, then he would drop all of his ego and do what is in the best interest of the Bahamas. But let me say this: If the PLP wins another election because of the situation similar to last election, when FNMs voted DNA, Bahamians will never ever forgive this man. It is so regrettable that there are no political hopefuls out who is campaigning on the basis of a better Bahamas, rather than just self interests. The Bahamas is in for a bumpy ride!
jusscool 8 years, 2 months ago
Couldn't say it better myself!
John 8 years, 2 months ago
A split and splintered opposition to the PLP cannot vein a general election. Not only because the will split up and have to share the opposition votes, but also because voters will get mixed votes and decide to vote PLP. Call it arrogance but Branville McCartney finds himself in a strange and favorable position. He has proven that his newly formed DNA party has hang time as it has not only survived the 5 years between elections, but it has also been highly visible and very active. With the FNM seeming to be under attack from all quarters and especially from within, Branville's party appear like a fresh bright rose in a field of weeds. The DNA has everything to lose if they decide to join up with the FNM and don't dot all the 'i's' and cross all the 'T's'. Main time the FNM seem more ruffled and raggedy as it has ever been since its inception. The party never seemed to get its bearing ever since the day Hubert A. Ingraham resigned as leader, walked out and slammed the door behind him. The pitiful thing is he never seem to look back until the party has reached this very low ebb. It is definitely not election ready and as Branville observed it may be trying to pull the DNA on to a sinking ship. Can a coalition work when there is so many personalities in the party, each one having their own opinion about where the party should be headed and who should be leader. You would thing by now everyone would have put away pettiness and self serving ambitions and join forces for the good of country and party. But no.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades! Whatever happened to the DNA's promise to donate their party's canceled 2015 Convention's funds to the Joaquin relief fund. How much did they actually donate?
Media reported that, Rotary's Hurricane Fund donated to the Joaquin Bahamas Relief Fund. . HeadKnowles donated to the Joaquin Bahamas Relief Fund.
Fidelity Bank raises $60,000 for Joaquin Bahamas Relief Fund.
More than $35,000 in cash were raised by the Chinese Bahamian Business Community in response to Save Our South (SOS) Disaster Relief efforts for the islands devastated by Hurricane Joaquin.
Economist 8 years, 2 months ago
Won't vote FNM, don't want to vote PLP, but I will vote. So the DNA is certainly worth taking a look at.
The DNA needs to have its convention, showcase a good plan for digging the country out of its problems (economic and social), nominate some reasonable candidates and get some sound financing........then it will have my vote for sure.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Economist has it been lost on you that DNA as a political party in the Commonwealth of The Bahamland was formed in 2011? Please share, why it is that although a party since 2011 they have never approached any of the things only now they are promising to do but only if elected as the peoples 2017 government?
Does the DNA even have a party's constitution, and if so who voted to pass it and have you ever seen, read or in possession of a copy of it?
More to the point. Has the Tribune ever read or been in possession of a copy pertaining to be that of the the DNA's constitution?
Comrade Economist in your field of expertise, knowing what you know, would you not agree that if the DNA's true value is to present itself as a legitimate political party, it should be classified as no more than "Junk Bond" status?
jusscool 8 years, 2 months ago
The DNA needs some heavy hitters, Persons who we can depend on to run this country Sensibly, Efficiently,with new plans ,new ideas. Persons who can go into the walls of parliament and explain the case, stand without fear. This is a country their running ,not some 50cents tuck shop . Take it serious people!
John 8 years, 2 months ago
Don't get it twisted! This has been no sweet and easy term for the PLP. This past five years has been no picnic, no walk in the park, no sitting on the dock on the bay, wasting time. They came into office having to face a dray load of tasks, including crime,especially murder, an economic recession, BEC wows, unfinished roadworks where the budget had doubled,high unemployment, illegal web shops, There was also the referendum, that was soundly defeated. Bah Mar was on the drawing board, but not in crisis. Then there were the many promises the PLP party itself had made to its supporters. Then came hurricane Joaquin, that seem to want to wipe the Southern Bahamas off the map, and the series of credit downgrades, that many believe were due to the government dropping the ball with Bah Mar. Now there's the Zika virus to contend with, the ongoing effort to take the College of the Bahamas to university status, the falling tourist numbers and on and on... The point for those who will be voting and to those who want to be voted for: the next five years will still not be easy. There will be lots of hard work. Lots of critical decisions will have to be made and there will have to be lots of cleaning up and rightsizing. The worst is to get a government that is lazy, lousy or incompetent. One that is not prepared to hit the ground running and have their nose to the grindstone for the next five years. You must be prepared to get your hands dirty and to swim with the pigs. Who are you voting for?
DDK 8 years, 2 months ago
Notwithstanding all of the sound comments above, it is my humble opinion that a 'coalition of the willing' is exactly what this country needs RIGHT NOW! Get it TOGETHER and MAKE IT WORK guys and gals.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
They need the DNA, FNM and all of those other parties to beat the one PLP. with all their infighting there will only be more cut throats and more stabs in the backs.
licks2 8 years, 2 months ago
Birdie ya forgetting that we the people are not yall political hacks. . .yall parties een nothing to us either. . .WE KNOW HOW TO VOTE TO PREVENT THE PLP FROM BEING GOVERNMENT AGAIN. . .WE ALREADY HAVE OUR MINDS MADE UP. . .WE KNOW THE DNA DON'T HAVE A CHANCE. . .SO WE WILL NOT WANT TO WASTE A VOTE THAT CAN GO A LONG WAY TO DUMP THE PLP! So if the DNA allows Mr. McCartney to take them down the road that seems "in he head" we will not be incline to follow him and allow the PLP to remain the government for the next five years!!
Hook up Mr. McC. . .or we will send yinna DNA down for the count. . .sorry brother. . .IT IS MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY. . .THE PLP MUST GO!
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