Branville McCartney, leader of the DNA.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday denied Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent claims that the third party wanted 16 uncontested seats and an agreement to have the final say on the makeup of the government, including who would be named prime minister.
Mr McCartney said the Free National Movement leader “needs some medication” for making his “untrue” claims on Tuesday night, adding that the claims are proof that Dr Minnis is not only “clearly obsessed” with the DNA, but also that he sees the former Bamboo Town MP as “his biggest threat” heading into the next general election.
Charging that Dr Minnis’ claims were an “indictment” on his leadership, Mr McCartney suggested that the Killarney MP instead “ought to be insecure” about the potential threat to his leadership by former deputy prime minister and FNM St Anne’s candidate Brent Symonette.
Mr McCartney, who served as junior immigration minister under Mr Symonette in the previous Ingraham administration, said it is “not realistic” to believe that the former St Anne’s MP, “a man who has acted as prime minister on many an occasion” and “one who has been in the political arena for many years” would “take a back seat” to Dr Minnis.
On Tuesday night, speaking to a raucous crowd of party supporters, Dr Minnis said negotiations for a coalition between the FNM and the DNA failed because Mr McCartney demanded that the FNM not contest the Bamboo Town, Seabreeze, Garden Hills, Carmichael, Golden Isles, Southern Shores, Marathon, Elizabeth, Pinewood, Fox Hill, Golden Gates, North Abaco, Central and South Abaco, Marco City, Yamacraw constituencies as well as St Thomas More – if that one was reintroduced.
The DNA further wanted an agreement that should they be successful, the party would be tasked with deciding the deputy prime minister, the make-up of the Cabinet and ambassadors, Dr Minnis said.
Dr Minnis said he was not prepared to “give away” the FNM or pander to “oversized egos” and blamed Mr McCartney for enabling the Progressive Liberal Party to win the 2012 general election, “causing pain and suffering” over the last five years.
In response, however, Mr McCartney claimed that it was the FNM that has been trying to “sway” DNA candidates over to their side, and “not the other way around.” He also claimed that Dr Minnis wanted the DNA to dissolve “with the understanding that we have three seats.”
“The Free National Movement is clearly obsessed with the (DNA),” he added. “That the leader of the (FNM) would last night dedicate so much time at the ratification of its final candidates, among them the former deputy prime minister, is an indictment on Dr Minnis’ leadership and a clear example of why the DNA has no confidence in Dr Minnis and no interest in forging any sort of agreement with the FNM.
“We didn’t ask for 16 seats,” he continued. “I don’t know where Dr Minnis got that from. I read where he said we asked for all sorts of things. That was untrue. The good doctor has not been truthful in that regard. Asking about embassies and Cabinet posts, I don’t recall that at all.
“Dr Minnis I think finds that his biggest threat in this election is me. And so you would see that there would be a number of things going on now…I’m his biggest threat. He realizes that, and the FNM, he knows will not win this election the way it is now. So therefore he’s speaking out against the DNA now and doing all sorts of others things to try and put a stop towards the movement of the DNA.”
Mr McCartney also suggested that Dr Minnis could face yet another challenge to his leadership by Mr Symonette, given the latter’s political portfolio.
At the end of February, Mr Symonette, who had announced his retirement from frontline politics five years ago, revealed his intention to run on the FNM’s ticket for St Anne’s, insisting at the time that there were “no strings” attached to his decision.
Despite his public support for Official Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner during her most recent failed leadership bid last year, Mr Symonette, who represented the area from 2007-2012, said he is ready to work closely with Dr Minnis after much consideration.
The announcement came as speculation swirled recently that Mr Symonette was attempting to broker a deal with the FNM where would run on the party’s ticket but under the condition that he be made party deputy leader.
“I have no doubt that in some form of fashion, perhaps in the very near future, there will be a run for Mr Symonette to lead that party,” Mr McCartney said when questioned on the matter. “And that will be a tremendous threat to Dr Minnis. You would recall that Mr Symonette was not supportive of Dr Minnis until recently. He was supportive of the leader of the Official Opposition who is Loretta Butler-Turner. And at the end of the day I know Dr Minnis ought to be insecure about that.
“Because in some form or fashion I find it strange that the former deputy prime minister of this country, a man who has acted as prime minister on many an occasion, one who has been in the political arena for many years, will take a back seat. That’s not realistic, and let’s not be fooled by that. I think we ought to keep on listening and see what’s happening with the FNM and the leadership thereof when it comes to Dr Minnis and Mr Symonette.”
He added: “I can tell you that Mr Symonette, who I’ve had the good honour and privilege of working with and under when I was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and responsible for immigration, he thinks things out and he makes calculated decisions. This decision to run at this stage and to have gone about it the way he did was calculating and for a reason, and that reason I’m quite sure we will see in short order.”
Comments
Thumbelina242 7 years, 8 months ago
McCartney's use of the words "calculated and calculating" is quite interesting. Is the implication positive or negative?
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Mc "never meets". . .but we must keep in mind though. . ."he meets" after all! Now even LBT saying that she is glad someone else can affirm her "shock" at Mr. Mc how he is up against the doc. . .this time and now people can see who is lying! They will believe doc more than her. . .Lol!!
ac8663 7 years, 8 months ago
Clearly it’s a demonstration that something is wrong,” she said. “I have not come out publicly to say what I felt about the comments attributed to me by Mr McCartney, but I think the public now has an opportunity to read between the lines to see exactly who was telling the truth and who was just perpetrating a falsehood.
ac8663 7 years, 8 months ago
Following the morning session of the House, Mrs Butler-Turner also told the press that Dr Minnis’ revelation on the breakdown of talks over a coalition between the FNM and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney was an opportunity for the public to read between the lines and decide who was telling the truth and who was just perpetrating a “falsehood”.
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
What the heck is Mr. Mac doing to himself? take statements such as "I". . ."he aught". . ."I am the biggest thereat". . ."me". . ."my". . ."not the truth". . .then tries to shift the on "he should aught to be watching Mr. Symonette". . . "I don't know what they are talking about". . ."what is said is not the truth/how that goes(but will not tell how it went/goes)"!
Wow. . .heat in the kitchen really does show where them roaches are hidden. . .that smooth politician is becoming an old giddy show-boat right before our eyes! They now wish they had the four years of "cut hip" doc had which whipped him into shape to take on the giant PLP. . . trials by fire "beat" him into shape. . .falling down and talking crap. . .yet he moved on. . .wap after wap. . .he stayed focused and moved forward!!
Now he is on the other side of the political waters. . .them other two leaders wanna-be jumped into the waters. . .started to take their "learning-to-be-a-leader" licks for the last 2 months. . .but I am afraid. . .not enough time left! Bran and LBT are into the water to learn (getting they cut hip). . .not enough time. . .Moss and the others are still on the other bank. . .talking and planning but not getting into the water!
Doc standing on the opposite bank all by himself. . .."jook-right-up" . . . them other two in the water must too come across the water. . ."getting jook-up" and still stand. . .the true mark of a mortal leader among men. . .having gotten jook-up so much. . .he learned how to duck them jooks!!!
These two seem to be running around and "buckin" into things and each other. . .can't keep their focus. . .getting all "jook fulla holes". . .taking on plenty water. . ."getting bubbled". . . but just out of time. . .just out of time!
Craig 7 years, 8 months ago
All Perry and his crew need to do to get re-elected is sit back and watch FNM's tear each other apart!! PLP's are smiling ear to ear!!
justthefactsplease 7 years, 8 months ago
So what if he wanted 16 seats? Why is it wrong for him to want that, but it is ok for Minnis to want the DNA to dissolve and join the FNM for three nominations? You all are a bunch of hypocrites if you think that Minnis' demand is OK but somehow Bran's demands make him an egotist or narcissist. Mark my word...the FNM will NOT win if the DNA runs a full slate so let's see Minnis win the government on his own. He might have actually become the Prime Minister if he were prepared to give up a few seats.
justthefactsplease 7 years, 8 months ago
If I were the PLP I would withdraw my candidate from Killarney and let it be a two way battle between Minnis and Komalaffie because he would have a serious struggle beating her. It would force him to spend more time campaigning for his own seat which means he would not be able to focus on the national election as he ought to.
Honestman 7 years, 8 months ago
Unless The Bahamas moves to a system of proportional representation the DNA will not be able to translate its share of the vote into seats in the HOA. Voters know that a vote for the DNA in a few months' time is effectively a vote for the PLP. The voters were duped in 2012 into thinking a vote for the DNA would bring about change but all it did was open the door for the Devil's apprentices to take over government. I doubt the public will make the same mistake again.
hallmark 7 years, 8 months ago
@justthefactsplease: I Totally agree. The FNM did not give up on their dreams during their rocky start. Took them 20 years before they became the government. Why are people so up in arms because the DNA believe that they can achieve the same?
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
The key to any DNA in road is wrapped up into your statement. . ."why are people up in arms because the DNA". . .this shows a populist angst with your party's failure to move beyond the stumbling block of your leaders inflated self concepts. . . if he is so good at leading and a strategist then why he could not help LBT and her pack to better handle the official opposition. . . . that there was his opportunity to take charge and get things done. . .but he took up his "toys" and gone home after he could not be leader. . .it appears. . . the lead in to if the DNA will garner any measure of support is tired-up into Mr. McCartney's performances. . .which gives a hint of how he will handle higher national office! He is still like a big child. . .calling everybody a liar but never presenting evidence to prove he is telling truth. . .many persons. . .including me. . .have dismissed the DNA as an option because of your leader's childish public behaviour!! The PLP already gives us plenty talk and will not disclose anything for our scrutiny . . . your leader has become a public joke!
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