PLP Stalled For McCartney
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was so determined to get Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney to join its ranks that it held off on appointing a candidate to run in the constituency against him, according to party leader Perry Christie.
When Mr. McCartney resigned as state minister for immigration last year Mr. Christie immediately sprung into action to let him know that the party was interested in having him come on board.
A year later when he resigned from the Free National Movement (FNM) Mr. Christie again let Mr. McCartney know that the party was a "big tent" always in search of new talent.
But, in both instances Mr. McCartney declined the offers.
So, Mr. Christie moved on.
Now, the PLP leader said to date four people have applied to the PLP to run in the constituency.
"Quite frankly the delay in appointing a candidate to Bamboo Town was because we wanted to give certain political personalities an opportunity to determine whether they would wish to become a PLP," Mr. Christie said.
"So, we have finished that course now and are moving on to name a candidate for those seats that are remaining. I expect in a short period of time moving forward that we would have a candidate named, but the delay was occasioned by my wanting to give some people whose names I will not now call an opportunity to determine whether they wanted to be a PLP or something else."
Mr. McCartney has reportedly turned down offers to join other third parties, instead opting to form his own – the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), which is set to launch next Monday.
"I support the right of Branville McCartney and others to form themselves into political organisations," Mr. Christie said.
"Branville McCartney’s difficulty is that (attorney) Paul Moss just announced a new political party and said that he has 23 candidates already, so clearly the scramble is on."
Mr. Christie said he believes most people will have to make a decision on which of the parties can realistically form a government.
As far as he is concerned, that choice will come down to two parties – the FNM and the PLP.
"I believe people would say that they want to give the PLP an opportunity because I believe they’re going to buy into and [realise] that Bahamians have to be meaningfully involved in the economy," he said.
FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham has, too, predicted that his party would once again represent Bamboo Town.
He recently went into the constituency to apologise to constituents for Mr. McCartney "abandoning" them.
April 28th, 2011
jonesbahamas
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