Tribune242 Editorial:
"WE'RE going through very stressful times," a leading Jamaican businessman admitted yesterday as the government of Jamaica and the United States were locked in judicial debate over one of that island's well known "dons" -- "The President of Tivoli", or in real life, Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Coke controls Tivoli, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding's constituency. There are those who maintain that it is Coke who keeps peace in Tivoli, and if it were not for him Golding would not be where he is today.
The US's request for Dudus' extradition on a long list of gun and drug trafficking charges sent shock waves through Jamaica. For the past three weeks the Jamaican government has refused the request.
Prime Minister Golding is resisting extradition on the grounds that under Jamaican law the acquisition of the evidence against the Tivoli don, which supports the extradition request, violates the provisions of the Interception of Communications Act. And so, at present, the US request cannot go before a Jamaican court until the Attorney General signs the order. Prime Minister Golding says the attorney general has a "duty to protect the constitutional rights of Coke and not extradite him."
Many Jamaicans question the delay. Some say government should get it before the courts and let the courts make the final decision. But until the attorney general signs, nothing moves forward.
In a sharply worded exchange the State Department said the delays in the Coke case, in addition to the temporary suspension in processing of all other pending requests, raised "serious questions" about the Jamaican Government's commitment to combating transnational crime.
There is even talk in Jamaica that the US law enforcement agents could kidnap Coke and put him before a US court. Apparently, there is no clause in the existing extradition treaty between Jamaica and the US to prevent it. But there is certainly precedent for it. In 1992 US agents kidnapped Alvarez Machain, wanted for kidnapping and murder, from his Mexico home and took him to the US.
Also causing further confusion is the sudden suspension last week of the US visa of another leading Jamaican citizen -- Wayne Chen. The Jamaican government claims that his visa has nothing to do with the Coke case, which has started speculation down another path. Mr Chen is still without his visa.
Many Jamaicans worry that they have been without a US ambassador for a year and three months -- "never before in living memory has that happened," said a citizen in pained surprise.
Which takes us back to the ugly eighties in the Bahamas during Ronald Reagan's administration when this nation had no ambassador for two years. And, yes, drugs was the evil nematode at the bottom of it all.
("Nematode", a favourite word of former attorney general Paul Adderley. In one of his flights of verbal fancy on the floor of the House he called a Tribune reporter a "nematode". However, we think the word better suited to the world of crime than to a reporter trying to do an honest job of reporting during a corrupt era).
During that period the Bahamas-US relations were conducted by US Chargé d'Affaires Andrew Antippas. This situation continued for two years until an ambassador was finally appointed. The Pindling government did not approve of Antippas, nor did Antippas approve of what was happening in the Bahamas on the drug scene. On the eventual arrival of the ambassador, Mr Antippas became the Deputy Chief of Mission. However, the Pindling administration made certain that he did not hold that position for long. They made life so difficult for the Antippases that in order to patch up relations the new ambassador -- a non career diplomat -- had to dismiss Mr Antippas so that "good friends who occasionally disagree" could start to mend fences.
But in 1988, Mr Antippas had the last word. He agreed to testify in the trial of Colombian Joe Lehder who had a free pass to Norman's Cay under the Pindling administration. Norman's Cay became the headquarters of Lehder's drug empire. And Andrew Antippas told the story of how he had to advise the US property owners to abandon their properties and leave the island because the US Embassy could no longer give them protection in the Bahamas.
"I testified to all that I had tried to accomplish against Lehder and the Bahamas' unwillingness to cooperate and that really blew a fuse in Nassau," Mr Antippas told the world.
The same fuse is now being blown in Jamaica. Dudus Coke might as well go quietly, as go he will, dragging Jamaica's reputation in the mud behind him.
March 08, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Branville McCartney’s Master Political Stroke
By Dennis Dames:
The resignation of Branville McCartney as junior minister of immigration in the Ingraham cabinet has created a lot of intense political talk around the town. It was a master political stroke that the public welcomes and appreciates – in my view.
The move has shown up the political weaknesses and complacency of the likes of Zhavargo Laing, Tommy Turnquest, Carl Bethel, and other young but politically sluggish FNMs – who appear strictly comfortable with a good and prestigious job, and clearly lack the political ambition and vision necessary to keep the torch of a young generation burning with robust confidence and anticipation.
They have long forgotten one of the chief planks in the FNM propaganda campaign prior to the 1992 general election. It was term limits for a prime minister and party leader. We did not want Pindling to reign for life; nor do we want Ingraham to do the same. We demand a system that promotes political competition, and dynamic and progressive leadership. We do not believe that two Bahamian women have born one leader each that are exclusively capable of leading the affairs of our nation.
Mr. McCartney is in tuned with the status quo – that is ready for a new and prosperous brand of politics in The Bahamas. Hubert Ingraham and his PLP counterpart – Perry Christie - are expired products lingering unattractively on the Bahamian political shelf. They have become trite in the eyes of the people who long for a new era of political leadership and direction.
Brad McCartney has essentially said: Here I am, send me! He has signaled his interest in becoming leader of the FNM in short order. He has put his dull colleagues on the spot, and has told the masses that he is not interested in being a friendly neighborhood yes-man who is prepared to go with the unpopular flow of political window dressing and shameless underhandedness from the top.
Branville McCartney represents a new breed of politicians in The Bahamas - who are eager to serve the people with a progressively ambitious and productive agenda. He appears ready to tackle the vexing illegal immigration issue that has plagued The Bahamas for decades and even to this day – for example.
He looks ready to change the bureaucratically uncreative business as usual mentality in government, and replace it with an administration for and by the people. Brad McCartney is a budding leader who has challenged an old order in Bahamian politics that seems determined to enforce its detested will on an electorate longing for change that they really can believe in.
The resignation of Branville McCartney has a lasting impact on modern Bahamian politics. It signals a revolution in the making in the national political landscape.
It is hoped that Mr. McCartney would not relent in his drive for higher political office and social, economic, and political deliverance for a deserving people; as doing so will only result in a serious political backlash – like that of Algernon Allen when he turned thousands on to his one man game on the R.M Bailey Park some years back – then he bucked under heavy political pressure and returned shamelessly to his vomit. The rest is hard-to-swallow history.
Only time will reveal the genuineness of Mr. McCartney’s recent decision. The masses are watching with buoyant enthusiasm, and optimism. It is worth taking this matter sincerely Mr. McCartney, or the political exit heartlessly awaits you.
Bahamas Blog International
The resignation of Branville McCartney as junior minister of immigration in the Ingraham cabinet has created a lot of intense political talk around the town. It was a master political stroke that the public welcomes and appreciates – in my view.
The move has shown up the political weaknesses and complacency of the likes of Zhavargo Laing, Tommy Turnquest, Carl Bethel, and other young but politically sluggish FNMs – who appear strictly comfortable with a good and prestigious job, and clearly lack the political ambition and vision necessary to keep the torch of a young generation burning with robust confidence and anticipation.
They have long forgotten one of the chief planks in the FNM propaganda campaign prior to the 1992 general election. It was term limits for a prime minister and party leader. We did not want Pindling to reign for life; nor do we want Ingraham to do the same. We demand a system that promotes political competition, and dynamic and progressive leadership. We do not believe that two Bahamian women have born one leader each that are exclusively capable of leading the affairs of our nation.
Mr. McCartney is in tuned with the status quo – that is ready for a new and prosperous brand of politics in The Bahamas. Hubert Ingraham and his PLP counterpart – Perry Christie - are expired products lingering unattractively on the Bahamian political shelf. They have become trite in the eyes of the people who long for a new era of political leadership and direction.
Brad McCartney has essentially said: Here I am, send me! He has signaled his interest in becoming leader of the FNM in short order. He has put his dull colleagues on the spot, and has told the masses that he is not interested in being a friendly neighborhood yes-man who is prepared to go with the unpopular flow of political window dressing and shameless underhandedness from the top.
Branville McCartney represents a new breed of politicians in The Bahamas - who are eager to serve the people with a progressively ambitious and productive agenda. He appears ready to tackle the vexing illegal immigration issue that has plagued The Bahamas for decades and even to this day – for example.
He looks ready to change the bureaucratically uncreative business as usual mentality in government, and replace it with an administration for and by the people. Brad McCartney is a budding leader who has challenged an old order in Bahamian politics that seems determined to enforce its detested will on an electorate longing for change that they really can believe in.
The resignation of Branville McCartney has a lasting impact on modern Bahamian politics. It signals a revolution in the making in the national political landscape.
It is hoped that Mr. McCartney would not relent in his drive for higher political office and social, economic, and political deliverance for a deserving people; as doing so will only result in a serious political backlash – like that of Algernon Allen when he turned thousands on to his one man game on the R.M Bailey Park some years back – then he bucked under heavy political pressure and returned shamelessly to his vomit. The rest is hard-to-swallow history.
Only time will reveal the genuineness of Mr. McCartney’s recent decision. The masses are watching with buoyant enthusiasm, and optimism. It is worth taking this matter sincerely Mr. McCartney, or the political exit heartlessly awaits you.
Bahamas Blog International
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Branville McCartney: I won't take blame for Elizabeth vote
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney last night hit out at suggestions by senior FNM officials that he was to blame for the party's less than stellar performance in the Elizabeth by-election.
According to sources within the FNM, Mr McCartney was berated at an FNM council meeting last week where a number of meritorious council members (MCM) took the MP to task for the poor showing at the polls in Polling Division 11.
This division, which was headed by the FNM's Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour, was also worked by Mr McCartney who these sources claim, failed to show any "inspiration in his designated duties."
This lack of "inspiration" they claimed was due to the suspicion that the MP was not in favour of the party's candidate Dr Duane Sands, who Mr McCartney could possibly see as another challenger for the leadership of the party if and when the opportunity arose.
"So it came as no surprise to me that he would have resigned," the source added. "Who knows, maybe he was trying to pre-empt what was already in the process of being done."
However, according to Mr McCartney, he has always supported the FNM's candidate in Elizabeth and any suggestion otherwise is completely ridiculous. Further to that, he added that if he did not support Dr Sands he would not have campaigned for him, and the suggestion that he was not "working hard enough" is nothing more than a vicious lie.
"I said publicly on radio my support for Dr Sands. I said that Dr Sands is the best man for the job. My record will speak for itself. You can ask people who campaigned with me," he said.
To Mr McCartney's credit, the MP did note in his resignation letter that he had withheld making this announcement until after the by-election so that it would not hurt the party's chances in Elizabeth.
Reiterating this point, the Bamboo Town MP said he could not possibly be blamed for what happened in Elizabeth as all indicators were revealing that the election was going to be a "close race."
In fact, other sources within the party have suggested that it was the Prime Minister's change in Immigration policy following the earthquake in Haiti that caused the party a number of voters who decided not to show up at the polls.
However, Mr McCartney would not respond to this aspect and maintained that he will be focusing his attention on the affairs of his constituency at this time.
He did say, however, that he remains of the view that if he were to make a push for the leadership of the FNM at some later date, his resignation from the Cabinet of the Bahamas would not be held against him.
"I acted on my personal convictions. And when you act on that you are doing what is right. And when you are doing what is right, how can that hurt you?
"I have not resigned from the party or from my constituency. I intend now to even speak more on other national issues without Cabinet collective responsibility," he said.
As such, the MP said that he will continue to champion the cause of the Bahamian people at large on national issues which will range from Immigration to crime, to land security and border protection.
March 03, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney last night hit out at suggestions by senior FNM officials that he was to blame for the party's less than stellar performance in the Elizabeth by-election.
According to sources within the FNM, Mr McCartney was berated at an FNM council meeting last week where a number of meritorious council members (MCM) took the MP to task for the poor showing at the polls in Polling Division 11.
This division, which was headed by the FNM's Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour, was also worked by Mr McCartney who these sources claim, failed to show any "inspiration in his designated duties."
This lack of "inspiration" they claimed was due to the suspicion that the MP was not in favour of the party's candidate Dr Duane Sands, who Mr McCartney could possibly see as another challenger for the leadership of the party if and when the opportunity arose.
"So it came as no surprise to me that he would have resigned," the source added. "Who knows, maybe he was trying to pre-empt what was already in the process of being done."
However, according to Mr McCartney, he has always supported the FNM's candidate in Elizabeth and any suggestion otherwise is completely ridiculous. Further to that, he added that if he did not support Dr Sands he would not have campaigned for him, and the suggestion that he was not "working hard enough" is nothing more than a vicious lie.
"I said publicly on radio my support for Dr Sands. I said that Dr Sands is the best man for the job. My record will speak for itself. You can ask people who campaigned with me," he said.
To Mr McCartney's credit, the MP did note in his resignation letter that he had withheld making this announcement until after the by-election so that it would not hurt the party's chances in Elizabeth.
Reiterating this point, the Bamboo Town MP said he could not possibly be blamed for what happened in Elizabeth as all indicators were revealing that the election was going to be a "close race."
In fact, other sources within the party have suggested that it was the Prime Minister's change in Immigration policy following the earthquake in Haiti that caused the party a number of voters who decided not to show up at the polls.
However, Mr McCartney would not respond to this aspect and maintained that he will be focusing his attention on the affairs of his constituency at this time.
He did say, however, that he remains of the view that if he were to make a push for the leadership of the FNM at some later date, his resignation from the Cabinet of the Bahamas would not be held against him.
"I acted on my personal convictions. And when you act on that you are doing what is right. And when you are doing what is right, how can that hurt you?
"I have not resigned from the party or from my constituency. I intend now to even speak more on other national issues without Cabinet collective responsibility," he said.
As such, the MP said that he will continue to champion the cause of the Bahamian people at large on national issues which will range from Immigration to crime, to land security and border protection.
March 03, 2010
tribune242
Branville McCartney: 'I want to run for FNM in Bamboo Town at next election'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
IN LIGHT of his resignation from the Cabinet, Former Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said he hoped he would not be denied a nomination to run as an FNM in the Bamboo Town constituency whenever the next general election is called.
Speaking to The Tribune at his constituency office yesterday, the popular MP said he was hopeful Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham would not seek to "punish" him as he has not yet even made up his mind if he will in fact run again for the House of Assembly.
"I had five years to serve. Right now I have two more years. If I don't get a nomination from the party I doubt I will run as an Independent -- or anything else for that matter. I would have done my time, and I would have done my time well. I guarantee you that. I would have done my time well and I will move on," he said.
As he is widely considered to be one of the few Members of Parliament who can claim to have a "sure seat" due to his representation and work in the area, it is often said that Mr McCartney does not need the FNM backing to win his seat in Bamboo Town.
However, despite this, the MP maintains that he came into Bamboo Town as and FNM and he will leave Bamboo Town as an FNM.
Having resigned from his Cabinet post over the weekend, Mr McCartney said that he will now focus his time on his family and the constituency of Bamboo Town, giving both the "representation and support they need and deserve at this time."
"My strengths will be invested in making them stronger. My energy and ambition will hopefully lead to greater opportunities for them. There have indeed been some very thrilling high points along the way, one of which I am very proud to share with you today. My wife Lisa, my daughters Kasia and Tai and I have welcomed a new member to our family, Lawrence Khail McCartney.
"The birth of each of our children has provided us unbounded joy and emotion and a welcome reminder that life is more about the moments than the occasions, and success in life depends on how well you are able to determine and manage the order of your priorities -- by the acceleration of some, the abeyance of others and the acceptance that in life nothing comes before its time," he said.
March 03, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
IN LIGHT of his resignation from the Cabinet, Former Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said he hoped he would not be denied a nomination to run as an FNM in the Bamboo Town constituency whenever the next general election is called.
Speaking to The Tribune at his constituency office yesterday, the popular MP said he was hopeful Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham would not seek to "punish" him as he has not yet even made up his mind if he will in fact run again for the House of Assembly.
"I had five years to serve. Right now I have two more years. If I don't get a nomination from the party I doubt I will run as an Independent -- or anything else for that matter. I would have done my time, and I would have done my time well. I guarantee you that. I would have done my time well and I will move on," he said.
As he is widely considered to be one of the few Members of Parliament who can claim to have a "sure seat" due to his representation and work in the area, it is often said that Mr McCartney does not need the FNM backing to win his seat in Bamboo Town.
However, despite this, the MP maintains that he came into Bamboo Town as and FNM and he will leave Bamboo Town as an FNM.
Having resigned from his Cabinet post over the weekend, Mr McCartney said that he will now focus his time on his family and the constituency of Bamboo Town, giving both the "representation and support they need and deserve at this time."
"My strengths will be invested in making them stronger. My energy and ambition will hopefully lead to greater opportunities for them. There have indeed been some very thrilling high points along the way, one of which I am very proud to share with you today. My wife Lisa, my daughters Kasia and Tai and I have welcomed a new member to our family, Lawrence Khail McCartney.
"The birth of each of our children has provided us unbounded joy and emotion and a welcome reminder that life is more about the moments than the occasions, and success in life depends on how well you are able to determine and manage the order of your priorities -- by the acceleration of some, the abeyance of others and the acceptance that in life nothing comes before its time," he said.
March 03, 2010
tribune242
Free National Movement (FNM) defectors weigh in on Branville McCartney resignation
NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
FRESH on the heels of his resignation from the Cabinet, Branville McCartney may now have to face political isolation according to his predecessor.
Tennyson Wells, like Mr McCartney, represented the constituency of Bamboo Town under the banner of the FNM. He resigned his Cabinet seat in 2000 to vie for the leadership of the party, which he lost to Tommy Turnquest. Mr Wells later quit the party after what he termed "serious differences of opinion" and sat in parliament as an independent.
Commenting on what he thinks the future will hold for Mr McCartney, Mr Wells said: "I think he will have to continue to look over his back, look over his shoulder, because the rest of his colleagues are not going to stand with him whether he is right or wrong. The vast majority are not going to stand with him even if they know he was right.
Reality
"They want to maintain or enhance their position. They are not going to stand up like men and women. That is the sad reality of politics in this country."
In a statement released by Mr McCartney over the weekend, the former Minister of State for Immigration said the main reason he quit was a feeling of stagnation and a sense that he was not fully utilising his "political potential."
Mr Wells said he was not surprised by the resignation, even though he had not followed the situation closely, as such conflicts are a feature of FNM governments.
He pointed to the example of his colleague Pierre Dupuch, another former member of an FNM Cabinet who was fired by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in 2000, after being accused of undermining Mr Ingraham's authority.
Yesterday, Mr Wells said he feels that despite his five-year sabbatical from politics, Mr Ingraham has changed little.
"He basically wants to do everything himself, which is impossible and the country suffers from it and will continue to suffer from it. No man is an island and we are all interdependent. Each of us ought to consider other people's views and give them consideration. No one has all the answers to all the problems in the country. When we realise this it will be better for everybody," Mr Wells said.
March 03, 2010
tribune242.com
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
FRESH on the heels of his resignation from the Cabinet, Branville McCartney may now have to face political isolation according to his predecessor.
Tennyson Wells, like Mr McCartney, represented the constituency of Bamboo Town under the banner of the FNM. He resigned his Cabinet seat in 2000 to vie for the leadership of the party, which he lost to Tommy Turnquest. Mr Wells later quit the party after what he termed "serious differences of opinion" and sat in parliament as an independent.
Commenting on what he thinks the future will hold for Mr McCartney, Mr Wells said: "I think he will have to continue to look over his back, look over his shoulder, because the rest of his colleagues are not going to stand with him whether he is right or wrong. The vast majority are not going to stand with him even if they know he was right.
Reality
"They want to maintain or enhance their position. They are not going to stand up like men and women. That is the sad reality of politics in this country."
In a statement released by Mr McCartney over the weekend, the former Minister of State for Immigration said the main reason he quit was a feeling of stagnation and a sense that he was not fully utilising his "political potential."
Mr Wells said he was not surprised by the resignation, even though he had not followed the situation closely, as such conflicts are a feature of FNM governments.
He pointed to the example of his colleague Pierre Dupuch, another former member of an FNM Cabinet who was fired by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in 2000, after being accused of undermining Mr Ingraham's authority.
Yesterday, Mr Wells said he feels that despite his five-year sabbatical from politics, Mr Ingraham has changed little.
"He basically wants to do everything himself, which is impossible and the country suffers from it and will continue to suffer from it. No man is an island and we are all interdependent. Each of us ought to consider other people's views and give them consideration. No one has all the answers to all the problems in the country. When we realise this it will be better for everybody," Mr Wells said.
March 03, 2010
tribune242.com
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Branville McCartney interested in Free National Movement (FNM) leadership bid
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
While stressing that the Free National Movement has a leader whom he supports wholeheartedly, Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney confirmed yesterday that he is interested in vying for the leadership of the party down the road.
McCartney's admission in an exclusive interview with The Nassau Guardian was not at all surprising, as he is viewed by some observers as a leadership hopeful sometime after the retirement of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
Asked about his interest in the leadership position, he said, "We do have a leader at this time."
McCartney expanded, "What I think the prime minister has done, he has a complement of men in and outside of his Cabinet, in the FNM, who can take over this country and take it to another level. I think I can be one of them. But he has quite a number of them, quite a number. I'm just only one."
McCartney also stressed that his leadership aspirations had nothing to do with his decision to resign from the Cabinet of Hubert Ingraham, and said his focus at this time is on serving his constituents of Bamboo Town.
"I did not want to let the prime minister down. I did not want to let the people of Bamboo Town down and more importantly, I did not want to let The Bahamas down so I did my best while I was there," he said in an interview at his home as his wife, Lisa, looked on.
"...I honestly believe at this stage that I can make more of a difference outside of Cabinet."
McCartney moved onto the political scene when the FNM was under the leadership of Tommy Turnquest, and said he had worked for two years in the St. Thomas More constituency before Ingraham became leader again and asked him to serve in Bamboo Town. While seeking an FNM nomination, McCartney was a strong anti-crime advocate, and some supporters had hoped he would eventually become minister of national security.
While he said yesterday he did not feel that he was serving to his full potential as minister of state for immigration, McCartney said there had not been another portfolio he was eyeing.
"I don't feel at this time I would have been an asset to the country sitting in the Cabinet as an immigration minister of state, because I don't think at this time I would have been effective and if I get into anything, whatever I get into, I want to be effective. I think I've been effective to a certain stage, but I don't think I would be effective moving on," he said.
"When you're in Cabinet you are bound by confidentiality; that is our oath, that is what we promise. You have to tow the party line more so as a Cabinet minister. I would like to speak out more on crime. I would even like to speak out more on immigration. I want to speak out on what is right and not based on party lines. My conviction comes first as to how I feel as a young Bahamian first and I honestly care about my country, the future of my country. "
McCartney said while he believes he is one of the people who could one day lead the FNM, Ingraham is today the right man for the job.
"He is my prime minister. If it were not for the prime minister I would not have had the opportunity to sit in his Cabinet in those two very, very vital ministries," he said.
"He has shown faith in me in that regard. I have also learned a lot from the prime minister. There's no doubt that the prime minister, Hubert Alexander Ingraham, is the best man for the job at this time. He is no doubt the best leader that we have had for our party and he remains that way today... I respect him, I support him. He has my full, full support."
McCartney also said he has a great deal of respect for Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, the substantive minister of immigration. He said he was grateful for Symonette's guidance and learned much from him.
Some observers have speculated that McCartney's resignation on Sunday was part of a wider move to position himself to eventually become leader of the FNM.
Asked to respond to this, he repeated, "We have a prime minister. I want to make myself clear. I still support the prime minister. We have a sitting prime minister as it stands now and as of this date, he is still the best person for the job."
Again making it clear that he has no interest in joining the Progressive Liberal Party, McCartney added, "The FNM is still the best party for this country. There's no doubt about it. Sitting in Cabinet has confirmed that to me over and repeatedly almost on a weekly basis, that the FNM, in my view, has the best interest [of the Bahamian people at heart]. There's nothing perfect. We have our difficulties like anything else, but when it comes down to the running of the country, out of the two parties, FNM hands out."
He said while he has many friends in the Progressive Liberal Party and respects them, "I am an FNM. I don't want persons to get the wrong impression about me going to the PLP. That is not my position. I am going to support the FNM in any which way I can so that they are the next government of The Bahamas whenever the prime minister decides to call the election. I have faith in that party. I have faith in the leadership."
While McCartney stressed repeatedly that he respects the prime minister and his leadership style, he admitted that he had not been privy to the decision to transfer (now former) Deputy Director of Immigration Roderick Bowe to head the defence force.
He also admitted to The Guardian that he had no prior knowledge of the shift in the immigration policy following the January earthquake in Haiti. McCartney said he learned of the change in policy when the prime minister announced it to the media.
" I would have perhaps gone about it a different way. I probably would have waited a little longer to look at the situation, but I respect the prime minister's decision," he said.
Asked about the prime minister's public reversal of the Department of Immigration's decision to have tents and other supplies on hand to prepare for any possible influx of undocumented Haitian nationals in light of the earthquake, McCartney added, "I would have waited to see how the situation in Haiti panned out before making certain decisions."
McCartney — an attorney by profession — said his decision to leave the Cabinet at this time has nothing to do with the state of his finances.
"I got into politics 17 years after becoming a lawyer. This year is my 20th year. I turned 40 four days after I was elected. I made sure that when I got into politics I did not have to work and if I had to work, I had a very smart wife next to me who would pay my bills," he said with a chuckle. "Finances were not a problem. I made a commitment that my children can go to school, go to college prior to me entering the political arena.
"...Even my funds I made as a minister and MP — I'm not even sure how much that is — but everything went into my constituency, from a minister and an MP, whatever that salary is, those funds went into Bamboo Town. The number of programs we have in Bamboo Town, they don't come free."
McCartney said now that he has more time on his hands, he plans to spend even more of it in Bamboo Town.
"We're going to take it to different, new level now," he said.
"Bamboo Town is going to be the blueprint of all constituencies. You've got my word on that."
March 02, 2010
thenassauguardian
While stressing that the Free National Movement has a leader whom he supports wholeheartedly, Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney confirmed yesterday that he is interested in vying for the leadership of the party down the road.
McCartney's admission in an exclusive interview with The Nassau Guardian was not at all surprising, as he is viewed by some observers as a leadership hopeful sometime after the retirement of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
Asked about his interest in the leadership position, he said, "We do have a leader at this time."
McCartney expanded, "What I think the prime minister has done, he has a complement of men in and outside of his Cabinet, in the FNM, who can take over this country and take it to another level. I think I can be one of them. But he has quite a number of them, quite a number. I'm just only one."
McCartney also stressed that his leadership aspirations had nothing to do with his decision to resign from the Cabinet of Hubert Ingraham, and said his focus at this time is on serving his constituents of Bamboo Town.
"I did not want to let the prime minister down. I did not want to let the people of Bamboo Town down and more importantly, I did not want to let The Bahamas down so I did my best while I was there," he said in an interview at his home as his wife, Lisa, looked on.
"...I honestly believe at this stage that I can make more of a difference outside of Cabinet."
McCartney moved onto the political scene when the FNM was under the leadership of Tommy Turnquest, and said he had worked for two years in the St. Thomas More constituency before Ingraham became leader again and asked him to serve in Bamboo Town. While seeking an FNM nomination, McCartney was a strong anti-crime advocate, and some supporters had hoped he would eventually become minister of national security.
While he said yesterday he did not feel that he was serving to his full potential as minister of state for immigration, McCartney said there had not been another portfolio he was eyeing.
"I don't feel at this time I would have been an asset to the country sitting in the Cabinet as an immigration minister of state, because I don't think at this time I would have been effective and if I get into anything, whatever I get into, I want to be effective. I think I've been effective to a certain stage, but I don't think I would be effective moving on," he said.
"When you're in Cabinet you are bound by confidentiality; that is our oath, that is what we promise. You have to tow the party line more so as a Cabinet minister. I would like to speak out more on crime. I would even like to speak out more on immigration. I want to speak out on what is right and not based on party lines. My conviction comes first as to how I feel as a young Bahamian first and I honestly care about my country, the future of my country. "
McCartney said while he believes he is one of the people who could one day lead the FNM, Ingraham is today the right man for the job.
"He is my prime minister. If it were not for the prime minister I would not have had the opportunity to sit in his Cabinet in those two very, very vital ministries," he said.
"He has shown faith in me in that regard. I have also learned a lot from the prime minister. There's no doubt that the prime minister, Hubert Alexander Ingraham, is the best man for the job at this time. He is no doubt the best leader that we have had for our party and he remains that way today... I respect him, I support him. He has my full, full support."
McCartney also said he has a great deal of respect for Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, the substantive minister of immigration. He said he was grateful for Symonette's guidance and learned much from him.
Some observers have speculated that McCartney's resignation on Sunday was part of a wider move to position himself to eventually become leader of the FNM.
Asked to respond to this, he repeated, "We have a prime minister. I want to make myself clear. I still support the prime minister. We have a sitting prime minister as it stands now and as of this date, he is still the best person for the job."
Again making it clear that he has no interest in joining the Progressive Liberal Party, McCartney added, "The FNM is still the best party for this country. There's no doubt about it. Sitting in Cabinet has confirmed that to me over and repeatedly almost on a weekly basis, that the FNM, in my view, has the best interest [of the Bahamian people at heart]. There's nothing perfect. We have our difficulties like anything else, but when it comes down to the running of the country, out of the two parties, FNM hands out."
He said while he has many friends in the Progressive Liberal Party and respects them, "I am an FNM. I don't want persons to get the wrong impression about me going to the PLP. That is not my position. I am going to support the FNM in any which way I can so that they are the next government of The Bahamas whenever the prime minister decides to call the election. I have faith in that party. I have faith in the leadership."
While McCartney stressed repeatedly that he respects the prime minister and his leadership style, he admitted that he had not been privy to the decision to transfer (now former) Deputy Director of Immigration Roderick Bowe to head the defence force.
He also admitted to The Guardian that he had no prior knowledge of the shift in the immigration policy following the January earthquake in Haiti. McCartney said he learned of the change in policy when the prime minister announced it to the media.
" I would have perhaps gone about it a different way. I probably would have waited a little longer to look at the situation, but I respect the prime minister's decision," he said.
Asked about the prime minister's public reversal of the Department of Immigration's decision to have tents and other supplies on hand to prepare for any possible influx of undocumented Haitian nationals in light of the earthquake, McCartney added, "I would have waited to see how the situation in Haiti panned out before making certain decisions."
McCartney — an attorney by profession — said his decision to leave the Cabinet at this time has nothing to do with the state of his finances.
"I got into politics 17 years after becoming a lawyer. This year is my 20th year. I turned 40 four days after I was elected. I made sure that when I got into politics I did not have to work and if I had to work, I had a very smart wife next to me who would pay my bills," he said with a chuckle. "Finances were not a problem. I made a commitment that my children can go to school, go to college prior to me entering the political arena.
"...Even my funds I made as a minister and MP — I'm not even sure how much that is — but everything went into my constituency, from a minister and an MP, whatever that salary is, those funds went into Bamboo Town. The number of programs we have in Bamboo Town, they don't come free."
McCartney said now that he has more time on his hands, he plans to spend even more of it in Bamboo Town.
"We're going to take it to different, new level now," he said.
"Bamboo Town is going to be the blueprint of all constituencies. You've got my word on that."
March 02, 2010
thenassauguardian
Monday, March 1, 2010
Branville McCartney - Minister of state for immigration resigns
By Juan Mccartney ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com:
In a move that caught many by surprise yesterday Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney resigned his post in Cabinet, but told The Nassau Guardian that he remains a committed FNM MP and is loyal to the leadership of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian last night, McCartney said that while he would not publicly comment on the reasoning behind his resignation as minister of state for immigration, or how it was done, he wanted his position to be clear.
"I will continue to represent the people of Bamboo Town," he said. "In fact, we're going to be taking Bamboo Town to a whole other level."
McCartney also said that he would remain a member of the Free National Movement (FNM) and has no intention of becoming an independent MP or any plans to "engage in any discussion about joining the Progressive Liberal Party."
"I wouldn't even entertain the thought," said McCartney, when asked about the possibility of switching his party allegiance.
"I am committed to the FNM and Hubert Ingraham. They are the best choice for this Bahamas at this time. And they have my full support."
McCartney then reiterated that the FNM is "without question" the party best-suited to govern the country. McCartney declined further comment.
McCartney was noticeably absent from the mid-year budget presentation in The House of Assembly on Wednesday. He was said to be on vacation with his family.
Sources close to McCartney said he had been planning to resign since January, but stayed on because he didn't want to hurt the FNM's chances in the Elizabeth by-election last month.
The move comes after there had been widespread speculation in political circles that McCartney was unhappy with at least two major decisions that were recently made in Immigration without his prior knowledge.
In a statement sent out Sunday evening, Prime Minster Hubert Ingraham confirmed that he had accepted McCartney's resignation, and while "the resignation of a minister or minister of state is always regrettable, I cannot say that I am completely surprised by Mr. McCartney's decision.
"Each of us in politics (is) bound to follow what we believe to be the best course of action in the interest of the people we are privileged to represent, and in accordance with our own convictions and perceptions at any given time," said Ingraham. "I have no doubt that Mr. McCartney, as he indicates, has given serious consideration to the action he has taken."
The Guardian understands that McCartney was not told that newly-appointed Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe would be leaving his post as deputy director of immigration last month in order to assume command of the RBDF.
McCartney reportedly learned of the plan to transfer Bowe when he read about it in the newspaper.
McCartney was also said to be very unhappy that the prime minister changed the national policy toward illegal Haitian migrants after a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12.
On January 14, Ingraham announced at an FNM news conference that as a result of the earthquake, the 102 illegal Haitian migrants at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre would be released and given some sort of temporary residency status. Ingraham also suspended the apprehension and repatriation of illegal Haitian migrants.
That news sparked heated debate among the general public.
On January 15, McCartney told The Guardian that his superiors made the call and his job was to ensure that the mandate was carried out.
"This was a decision made at a higher level. I am quite sure that the decision that was made is in the best interests of the country and it's something that we are carrying out," McCartney said.
However, there were reports that McCartney was not informed of the decision prior to its announcement and privately disagreed with the move, viewing it as a hasty decision as the situation on the ground in Haiti was still being assessed.
The public outcry forced Ingraham to repeatedly clarify the government's position on the issue, with the prime minister further stating that the government's policy would be that any new illegal Haitian migrants caught in the country would be taken to court and charged in order for the government to legally hold them for an extended period.
Two weeks later there still seemed to be some confusion as to what the government's policy toward illegal Haitian migrants was.
On January 27, Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette (the substantive minister responsible for immigration) and McCartney had two separate views on what should happen to a group of illegal Haitian migrants that landed in the Coral Harbour area the previous day.
Symonette, who was interviewed as he was going into a Cabinet meeting, said the immigrants would "more than likely" be released.
Minutes later McCartney - who was not yet aware of what the senior minister had told reporters - said he planned to stick to the prime minister's previously stated policy.
Not long after that, Prime Minister Ingraham showed up and said that his policy of charging the immigrants still stood.
The immigrants were charged with illegal landing that day. The men were sent to prison for six months, and the women were sent to the detention center, along with the children in the group.
McCartney has been widely considered as a front-runner for the leadership of the FNM in the future.
He was also widely praised as an effective minister of immigration.
In a statement sent on behalf of the PLP yesterday, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said that the country should be told the "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," regarding McCartney's resignation.
"The resignation of Branville McCartney as minister of state for immigration is a source of serious concern for the country," Roberts said in a brief statement sent out last night in the wake of McCartney's resignation.
"Mr. McCartney was responsible for driving the immigration policy of the government. In the midst of a crisis in immigration, the minister resigns," he said. "The prime minister must give a full and frank explanation for the comment of Mr. McCartney that he believed that he was being stagnated within Mr. Ingraham's Cabinet and could not fulfill his full potential." Roberts called McCartney's resignation "a serious indictment" of the current Ingraham administration.
"His resignation has exposed the truth of how Mr. Ingraham governs the country and his party," Roberts said. The PLP believes that the country is not well served by the conduct of public affairs led with bombast, harsh words and disrespect as a hallmark of governance. We warned against it from the day Mr. Ingraham first took office. Now the FNM has turned on one of its own."
March 01, 2010
thenassauguardian
In a move that caught many by surprise yesterday Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney resigned his post in Cabinet, but told The Nassau Guardian that he remains a committed FNM MP and is loyal to the leadership of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian last night, McCartney said that while he would not publicly comment on the reasoning behind his resignation as minister of state for immigration, or how it was done, he wanted his position to be clear.
"I will continue to represent the people of Bamboo Town," he said. "In fact, we're going to be taking Bamboo Town to a whole other level."
McCartney also said that he would remain a member of the Free National Movement (FNM) and has no intention of becoming an independent MP or any plans to "engage in any discussion about joining the Progressive Liberal Party."
"I wouldn't even entertain the thought," said McCartney, when asked about the possibility of switching his party allegiance.
"I am committed to the FNM and Hubert Ingraham. They are the best choice for this Bahamas at this time. And they have my full support."
McCartney then reiterated that the FNM is "without question" the party best-suited to govern the country. McCartney declined further comment.
McCartney was noticeably absent from the mid-year budget presentation in The House of Assembly on Wednesday. He was said to be on vacation with his family.
Sources close to McCartney said he had been planning to resign since January, but stayed on because he didn't want to hurt the FNM's chances in the Elizabeth by-election last month.
The move comes after there had been widespread speculation in political circles that McCartney was unhappy with at least two major decisions that were recently made in Immigration without his prior knowledge.
In a statement sent out Sunday evening, Prime Minster Hubert Ingraham confirmed that he had accepted McCartney's resignation, and while "the resignation of a minister or minister of state is always regrettable, I cannot say that I am completely surprised by Mr. McCartney's decision.
"Each of us in politics (is) bound to follow what we believe to be the best course of action in the interest of the people we are privileged to represent, and in accordance with our own convictions and perceptions at any given time," said Ingraham. "I have no doubt that Mr. McCartney, as he indicates, has given serious consideration to the action he has taken."
The Guardian understands that McCartney was not told that newly-appointed Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe would be leaving his post as deputy director of immigration last month in order to assume command of the RBDF.
McCartney reportedly learned of the plan to transfer Bowe when he read about it in the newspaper.
McCartney was also said to be very unhappy that the prime minister changed the national policy toward illegal Haitian migrants after a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12.
On January 14, Ingraham announced at an FNM news conference that as a result of the earthquake, the 102 illegal Haitian migrants at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre would be released and given some sort of temporary residency status. Ingraham also suspended the apprehension and repatriation of illegal Haitian migrants.
That news sparked heated debate among the general public.
On January 15, McCartney told The Guardian that his superiors made the call and his job was to ensure that the mandate was carried out.
"This was a decision made at a higher level. I am quite sure that the decision that was made is in the best interests of the country and it's something that we are carrying out," McCartney said.
However, there were reports that McCartney was not informed of the decision prior to its announcement and privately disagreed with the move, viewing it as a hasty decision as the situation on the ground in Haiti was still being assessed.
The public outcry forced Ingraham to repeatedly clarify the government's position on the issue, with the prime minister further stating that the government's policy would be that any new illegal Haitian migrants caught in the country would be taken to court and charged in order for the government to legally hold them for an extended period.
Two weeks later there still seemed to be some confusion as to what the government's policy toward illegal Haitian migrants was.
On January 27, Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette (the substantive minister responsible for immigration) and McCartney had two separate views on what should happen to a group of illegal Haitian migrants that landed in the Coral Harbour area the previous day.
Symonette, who was interviewed as he was going into a Cabinet meeting, said the immigrants would "more than likely" be released.
Minutes later McCartney - who was not yet aware of what the senior minister had told reporters - said he planned to stick to the prime minister's previously stated policy.
Not long after that, Prime Minister Ingraham showed up and said that his policy of charging the immigrants still stood.
The immigrants were charged with illegal landing that day. The men were sent to prison for six months, and the women were sent to the detention center, along with the children in the group.
McCartney has been widely considered as a front-runner for the leadership of the FNM in the future.
He was also widely praised as an effective minister of immigration.
In a statement sent on behalf of the PLP yesterday, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said that the country should be told the "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," regarding McCartney's resignation.
"The resignation of Branville McCartney as minister of state for immigration is a source of serious concern for the country," Roberts said in a brief statement sent out last night in the wake of McCartney's resignation.
"Mr. McCartney was responsible for driving the immigration policy of the government. In the midst of a crisis in immigration, the minister resigns," he said. "The prime minister must give a full and frank explanation for the comment of Mr. McCartney that he believed that he was being stagnated within Mr. Ingraham's Cabinet and could not fulfill his full potential." Roberts called McCartney's resignation "a serious indictment" of the current Ingraham administration.
"His resignation has exposed the truth of how Mr. Ingraham governs the country and his party," Roberts said. The PLP believes that the country is not well served by the conduct of public affairs led with bombast, harsh words and disrespect as a hallmark of governance. We warned against it from the day Mr. Ingraham first took office. Now the FNM has turned on one of its own."
March 01, 2010
thenassauguardian
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