“McCartney A Dictator”
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney appears to be a "bigger dictator" than his former boss – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham – "who he could no longer work for," according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Days after the official launch of the DNA, The PLP said Mr. McCartney appears to be a "figure of contradiction and an enigma," which the party says raises more questions than answers about the honour of his initial political intent.
The PLP said on the face of it, the DNA’s structure and function is "rank with the stench of dictatorship."
The party says there is no published constitution that governs the structure, function, policies and processes of the DNA, nor is there an executive committee or council to execute mechanisms that form the basis of the DNA’s policies and processes.
"It appears that Mr. McCartney is a self-appointed leader who in turn appointed a chairman. He apparently unilaterally appointed his candidates," the party said in a press statement.
"To the casual political observer, this is not democracy, but dictatorship in its rankest form. This practice has no place in a free, modern democratic Bahamas and Mr. McCartney must clarify this apparent debacle to the Bahamian people.
The Opposition said he is setting a dangerous precedent for The Bahamas and must be viewed with "extreme caution and suspicion."
The party says Mr. McCartney has a lot of explaining to do to the Bahamian people.
"For example, why did he support the FNM’s heavy tax increases that have hurt Bahamians and slowed the economic recovery? Why did he support the FNM’s jobs programme for foreigners?" the party asked.
"How does he explain the failed work permit policy of the Department of Immigration under his leadership? Certainly Mr. McCartney had to know that using the Department of Immigration as a principal revenue generator for the government displaces many suitably qualified Bahamians from the job market."
The PLP noted that there have been no fewer than nine attempts in the past to form an alternative to the two major political parties – the PLP and the FNM.
The party said if history is an accurate or reliable predictor of the future, "we know what will happen to the DNA."
"But, the DNA is not the business of the PLP. Our business is winning the next general election and if they can help the PLP win the next general election, so be it.
May 17th, 2011
jonesbahamas
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.