The new party in Parliament
thenassauguardian editorial
The official launch of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) last night means that a third party will be represented in Parliament for the first time since Dr. Bernard Nottage represented the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) in 2002.
When the House of Assembly reconvenes for the budget communication at the end of the month, McCartney will be representing the fledgling party he leads.
McCartney has been civil in his remarks regarding the governing Free National Movement (FNM) since he left the party in March. That will have to change if he hopes to survive in politics.
Opposition politics is about opposing the government; it is about roughing up the government; it is about demonstrating to the public that the governing side is unfit to govern.
McCartney will have to get used to attacking Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. He will also have to get accustomed to being attacked in return by Ingraham. Ingraham made his mark in the 1992 campaign by taking the fight right to the incumbent, Sir Lynden Pindling. The ‘Delivery Boy’ challenged ‘The Chief’.
To be truthful, thus far, it appears as if McCartney is afraid of confronting Ingraham directly in the public sphere. Maybe in the weeks and months to come, he will prove us wrong.
Bran will also have to learn how to fight the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). The opposition party has been happy with McCartney because he has fallen out with Ingraham and the FNM. He now has to also prove in the House of Assembly that Perry Christie and his PLP are too disorganized and inadequate to be elected.
Parliament is a place where McCartney can shine in the months remaining before the next general election. But, he will not shine as a timid accommodating nice guy. The public wants to see if the Bamboo Town MP has what it takes to start an enduring political force in the country.
All eyes will be on McCartney from here to the election. He is an experiment. Will Bahamians continue to vote for the two main parties overwhelmingly just because they are used to? Or, will the new DNA party get some votes and make an impact?
For McCartney, each parliamentary debate going forward will be a showcase of his talents or shortcomings. He should use these precious moments well.
5/13/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
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.
