Is it Bran? ...What should we make of Mr. Branville McCartney and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) party? ...Can we take them seriously? ...Are they really the contenders they insist they are or that many believe they are? ...Or are they just another passing fad, destined to go the way of the CDR, BDM, and NDP, just with a lot more wasted money and energy?

Gone Green?

By Ian G. Strachan

Most Bahamians would welcome new personalities at the helm of our two major parties. Inspired by the election of Barack Obama, they dream of political renewal in this country ushered by some eloquent, able visionary who will bring the nation to a sense of unity and purpose we haven’t felt in a generation.

Though Hubert Ingraham and Barack Obama share the same birthday, the men represent very different things in the minds of the people. The loquacious Perry Christie is likewise, unable to sustain such a comparison.  And though I will grant that Obama has in no way been as successful as many hoped he would be, we are talking here about what he represented in the imagination of Americans, black and white, and what he represented to the world: rebirth, a change from politics as usual.  That was the dream he sold.  Where is our Obama then?

Is it Bran?  What should we make of Mr. Branville McCartney and the Democratic National Alliance?  Can we take them seriously?  Are they really the contenders they insist they are or that many believe they are?  Or are they just another passing fad, destined to go the way of the CDR, BDM, and NDP, just with a lot more wasted money and energy?

Are we looking at the next government of The Bahamas, the next page in Bahamian history, the revolution we’ve all been waiting for, the wave of change that will sweep away all that we’re weary of in public affairs?  Or are we looking at the elaborate and glorious endgame of an inexperienced, over-eager and over-rated politician and his rag-tag band of hangers on?

Whichever it is, one thing is certain: in a very short space of time Bran McCartney has become one of the most popular and most talked about politicians in the country.  ‘Going Green’ was never as popular a statement as it is now, except it has nothing to do with environmental conservation.

I’m a resident of the Bamboo Town constituency (for the time being).   I can say that as a candidate and as a representative, McCartney is enthusiastic and active.   It was clear during the ’07 campaign that he enjoyed the opportunity he was being given and he was determined to make the most of it.  Could he have beaten Frank Smith if he had run in St. Thomas More instead?  Ingraham didn’t seem to think so.  But I’ll say this: before McCartney, Bamboo Town had never enjoyed the kind of attention paid to it by this representative.

The parties for the elderly, the community bus, the various educational and outreach programs emanating out of the constituency office, all demonstrate that McCartney was and is prepared to take ham and turkey politics to the next level.  Is the work he is doing in Bamboo Town what I think an MP ought to be doing?  No.  I believe a community center, government and volunteer staffed, ought to be doing that work permanently in Bamboo Town and every constituency in fact.  As it stands, that work is happening so long as McCartney is MP.  What happens after he is not?

Once McCartney was elected and was able to escape the confines of the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, he found himself in an ideal position to showcase his abilities (or at least to showcase his ambitions).  Now there is nothing wrong with ambition in and of itself; and there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with being opportunistic.  The problem is always how far you’re prepared to go and what you are prepared to do or say to get what you want.

And McCartney showed that he would miss no opportunity to call attention to himself, and to zealously hunt down illegals and ship them out.  He did for Immigration what Ron Pinder did for garbage collection, which is a disturbing but apropos comparison, given what we think of Haitians.

There was Bran in fatigues, there was Bran bidding people farewell as they boarded a plane to be repatriated, there was Bran in the helicopter showing us where those shantytowns were located, there was Bran feeding the people at the Nassau dump . . .  It was shameless.  But here’s the thing: I am probably in the minority for thinking so. Many, maybe most Bahamians, were impressed, cheered, celebrated, thought he was fantastic.  It seems far too easy to impress Bahamian voters, but there you have it.

More on Bran and the DNA, next week.

Oct 10, 2011

Gone Green? - Part 2

thenassauguardian

Caribbean Blog International

It was in 2002 that [then MP for the Kennedy constituency] Dr. Bernard Nottage's Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) tried to do what Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney and his Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is now trying

DNA must remember the CDR

thenassauguardian editorial



It was in 2002 that a sitting Member of Parliament last tried to do what Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney is now trying to do. Dr. Bernard Nottage broke away from Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) before the 2002 general election and formed the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR). Dr. Nottage was the then MP for the Kennedy constituency.

We all know what happened to the CDR, which ran in most of the constituencies in 2002: It lost badly.

Out of the 130,536 votes cast across the country in 2002, the CDR won 2,755 votes (2.1 percent). On the Family Islands the CDR did worse. Out of 42,783 votes cast outside of New Providence, the CDR won 404 votes (0.9 percent).

In 1997 when the PLP was nearly wiped out of the Parliament, Dr. Nottage, under the PLP banner, was one of the few members of his party to win a seat. He defeated Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Ashley Cargill by 156 votes. When he severed ties with the PLP and ran outside of its banner five years later, Dr. Nottage was beaten badly by a PLP political newcomer, Kenyatta Gibson. Gibson won 1950 votes and Dr. Nottage 499 votes.

Others who ran as CDRs lost badly in 2002 and won in 2007 once they joined a major party. In Carmichael, Charles Maynard made no impact as a CDR candidate. He won 196 votes and PLP John Carey, the winner, secured 1818 votes. In South Beach, Phenton Neymour won 117 votes for the CDR and PLP candidate Agatha Marcelle, the winner, secured 1838 votes.

Both Neymour and Maynard won seats in the House of Assembly five years later as FNMs. Neymour won South Beach over the PLP by 299 votes, receiving the support of 1919 constituents. Maynard won Golden Isles by 62 votes, attracting the support of 1824 voters.

Dr. Nottage too found the same result when he went back home to the PLP. He won the Bain and Grants Town seat by 774 votes.

Branville McCartney should examine the 2002 and 2007 general elections. He is attempting to do the same thing Dr. Nottage attempted to do. Dr. Nottage and the CDR failed. Bahamians did not go for the new thing then.

We acknowledge that the times are different. Neither the PLP nor FNM is offering a new leader as the PLP did in 2002. However, Bahamians are conservative voters. As a result of the FNM split in 1977 — resulting in the FNM and the Bahamas Democratic Party (BDP) — a group other than the PLP or FNM won a meaningful share of the vote. The BDP was the official opposition in 1977.

Bahamians, based on the results of our recent elections, are not interested in change outside of the major parties. But, as we have said before, this should not stop McCartney from trying. What it should do, however, is moderate his expectations and those of his supporters.

As history has shown via the course of so many politicians, what McCartney is likely doing, consciously or not, is auditioning for a prominent role in one of the major parties. Hubert Ingraham, Perry Christie, Fred Mitchell, Paul Adderley, Sir Orville Turnquest, Dr. Nottage and others have had time in the political wilderness before joining or rejoining either the PLP or FNM and sitting around the Cabinet table. Ingraham and Christie each became prime minister.

So, if the DNA is destined for failure the key for McCartney will be to win his seat. He would then have the option of being absorbed into the PLP or FNM during the next Parliament.

Though his roots are with the FNM, if the DNA is crushed and McCartney gives up on the party he should not rule out joining the PLP. Ingraham, a former PLP chairman, did what he had to do. He joined the FNM and became PM.

Politics is the art of pragmatism. If the PLP loses, Christie will be asked to go. And he might actually go — though no one in the party is powerful enough to make him go. If he leaves, a ‘civil war’ would result in the PLP. Lots of want to be leaders would emerge and few would have the capacity to lead or win a general election. A charismatic McCartney could do well on that side.

Jun 14, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

The likelihood of Branville McCartney surviving this political slaughter is slim...

“McCartney’s New Party Unlikely”

By ROGAN SMITH



It seems Branville McCartney is going to have a tough job convincing candidates to join the political party he’s trying to form as some of the people he’s attempting to court think of it as "a joke" and not a viable alternative to the two major political parties.

Some of the people who attended Mr. McCartney’s meeting Tuesday night said the Bamboo Town MP is clearly "out of his element."

According to a well-placed source close to discussions, Mr. McCartney, who invited 100 people to his home to discuss the new party, just does not seem to know what he is doing.

"The likelihood of him surviving this political slaughter is slim," the source said.

Mr. McCartney reportedly wants the leaders of two third parties – the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) and the National Development Party (NDP) – to dissolve their organisations and choose a leader democratically.

According the source, those leaders are not even considering such a request.

The Journal understands that the NDP took exception to the request and it remains a "sore spot."

A local newspaper recently reported that Mr. McCartney had raised as much as $25 million to fund his new party. However, the source says that is "pure nonsense."

"Bran has no funding. He says people have agreed to help him if he is able to get commitments. They’re telling him ‘if you form this party we’ll give you the money.’ Bran says he wants to raise $25 million, which is a long stretch. The other parties aren’t even raising that amount," said the source, who agreed to the Journal’s interview on condition of anonymity.

"Branville doesn’t have the money. The major issue at the meeting was fundraising. There were also a lot of arguments going back and forth with people pontificating during the meeting. There was a lot of flowery talk, but nothing of substance. The meeting was full of chaos and confusion. It really just became a social hangout."

The source said to make matters worse, Mr. McCartney is courting a lot of "reject people."

"He is flocking towards candidates who I’m sure even the third parties would reject. Some of these people have very little chance of making a mark on the political scenery," he said.

Even more frustrating, the source says, is the fact that the former cabinet minister is expecting potential candidates to follow him, even though he does not have much political experience.

"Why should these people leave the parties they are with to join up with Bran? He’s someone who has never articulated any vision for the country. What has he done? The only thing he did was resign from Hubert Ingraham’s cabinet and later Hubert Ingraham’s party," he said.

"Mr. McCartney could not even complete his full term as a junior minister. Why would anyone follow his lead? He’s great at marketing himself. He’s great at public relations, but leadership, I don’t think so."

The source said many people turned up to the meeting simply to see what Mr. McCartney is up to.

"A lot of them are going to war during this election. They wanted to know what he’s doing and who the key players are. But, it’s a joke," he said.

"Bran believes that because he’s in the House [of Assembly] and is a sitting MP that he has the upper hand. I’ll give him this; he’s very calculating. But, what he’s attempting now has been done before. I can’t follow a man who [isn’t] smarter than me."

He continued, "Mr. McCartney need only tap the shoulders of Dr. Bernard Nottage [Bain and Grants Town MP] and ask him how it worked out for him when he left the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to form his own party. The Coalition for Democratic Reform didn’t fare well, and that’s with a leader who was a political heavyweight."

The Journal understands that a union president, a former talk show host and several other politicians attended Mr. McCartney’s meeting.

"When you’re putting together a party, you have to dissect the candidates and decide who to run. When you pick just anyone the quality of your party deteriorates. Ask any fisherman fishing with a net, when you cast your net, you not only pull up grouper, you also pull up goggle eye fish, seaweed and some rocks – things you can’t use. The point I’m seeking to make is that Bran is courting candidates he can’t use politically," the source said.

Another well-placed source, who requested anonymity, said he does not think that Mr. McCartney will hold on to his constituency. He said he believes the majority of voters will elect a PLP or Free National Movement (FNM) candidate.

"Some people are excited about Bran, but quite frankly he’s going to get demolished at the polls. I’m concerned whether his party will survive after this upcoming election. If he loses tomorrow, I can guarantee you that he’s not going to stick in there. He has no stickability, his quitting as state minister and later the FNM, proved that. When things aren’t going his way, he’s out of there and he lacks courage," he said.

"Look at what he did in the House when the first vote on BTC came up. He was nowhere to be found. A true leader would’ve sat behind Mr. Ingraham and voted ‘no’ on the issue. Be a man. Then, he’s too wishy-washy. He says he respects Mr. Ingraham’s leadership, but felt stifled, then he comes up with some other excuse to try and preserve his political career. Which is it?"

The source said the true test will be what happens after the election.

March 31st, 2011

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

Renward Wells - National Development Party (NDP) leader: ...now is the time for a third party to really make a difference in the political landscape of The Bahamas

NDP leader: it's time for a third party in Bahamas

By PAUL G. TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net



HEADING into their discussions last night with Independent MP Branville McCartney, NDP leader Renward Wells said that he feels now is the time for a third party to really make a difference in the political landscape of the Bahamas.

Hoping to either court the Bamboo Town MP into joining the NDP or have their party make some type of alliance with whatever movement Mr McCartney will form, Mr Wells said they hope to be "the alternative" to both the PLP and the FNM at the polls.

"We believe that it is high time for another party, other than the PLP or the FNM. It is absolutely the right time to do it," he said.

At the meeting, which was scheduled to be held at Mr McCartney's home on John F Kennedy Drive, Mr Wells said that the NDP will have 14 persons present, including himself, as representative from the Bahamas Democratic Movement. Other notable young politicians are reported to be attending.

Mr Wells said that his party has decided to send such a large contingent because they represent the heads of a number of their internal committees and must relate what transpired with first hand knowledge.

"Actually I am taking a lot of people who support Mr McCartney so they can hear from him as to what is what, and then they can make up their minds based on what they currently believe and are willing to accept. Because at the end of the day, the others have made their position quite known, this is what it is, he must come to the NDP and they are not changing from that at all.

"And they have said they don't want to go. This is our position and we are not changing that," he said.

Mr Wells said that based on what happens at the meeting last night he may have to "work" on these party members if the NDP intends to move in the direction of aligning itself with Mr McCartney.

If the Bamboo Town MP were to join with the NDP and lead the organization, Mr Wells said that they will hold a convention within 30 days so that this decision can be made by their entire organization.

"There are even people in the NDP already who would want him (Mr McCartney) for leadership; most certainly. I believe that at the end of the day, those persons not only support Bran being the leader of the party, they support it being done the right way.

"I don't want people to believe that Renward Wells is a megalomaniac. I am willing of Bran being the leader in the House of Assembly because he is the only one there. Undoubtedly I can tell you that if I run against him (for the leadership) he will more than likely win. But this isn't about me. This is about the Bahamian people. If they believe that Bran is the best man to make that change, I will grab my shield and follow him into battle," he said.

As a relatively new political organization, Mr Wells said that the NDP has already faced its share of challenges - namely the departure of its former national chairman Dr Andre Rollins. However, he said that because their party is grounded in its message and "principles", they have survived.

"A political party must not be about a man, it must be about the message. It can't be about the person, it must be about the principle. You cannot have an idol, you must have an ideology. Men and women will come and go, but the truth and the message will remain. When you create parties around men, they fail; look at the CDR (Coalition for Democratic Reform). The NDP will and cannot join any institution that is built around a man," he said.

March 30, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

If Branville McCartney takes the third party course, he could be committing political suicide

Would you vote for a third party?

thenassauguardian editorial


Since the resignation of Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney from the Free National Movement (FNM) Monday, the national airwaves have been dominated by talk of the formation of a third political party to challenge the FNM and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

The last major politician to try the third party route was former PLP deputy leader Dr. Bernard Nottage in 2002 when his Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) took on the two major parties. Dr. Nottage’s party failed and he lost his seat. CDR candidates were crushed as non-contenders at the polls.

At the time Bahamians were upset with the FNM, which was fractured and falling apart. They chose to go with a Perry Christie. He was a part of a major political force and he was also a new face to leadership. Christie ran as a “new PLP”, seeking to break with the somewhat tarnished legacy of the defeated old PLP.

At that 2002 election there was something new that was still a part of the mainstream for Bahamians to choose. Dr. Nottage could not compete with that.

Almost ten years later, a young, attractive and charismatic politician (McCartney) may try the same thing. He is not as politically accomplished as Dr. Nottage was at the time he led the CDR to defeat. However, McCartney may have an advantage if he pursues the same course.

At this general election, neither political party has anything new to offer at the leadership level. FNM leader Hubert Ingraham and PLP leader Perry Christie both entered the House of Assembly in 1977. Both men are known. Neither man can claim to be new. Neither man can suggest he can offer something he has not already offered during his long political career.

At this election it could be argued that a message could be presented, stating that Ingraham and Christie, and the FNM and the PLP, are the same thing and a new direction is needed for the country. In recent years there have been annual murder records; the down economy has persisted; and the Bahamian education system is doing poorly.

Though this environment exists, it is unclear if Bahamians will break with the PLP/FNM duopoly.

The key for any third party movement would be to determine if dissatisfaction with the parties could be harnessed into votes. If that dissatisfaction cannot be, starting a third party will only waste money.

Ultimately, Bahamians will have to decide if they will accept others at the national table of decision making or if they think only card carrying PLPs or FNMs should lead The Bahamas.

Before any third party enters the election arena it should understand what is at stake. If defeated badly at the general election, the force will look like a joke never to be considered again.

If McCartney takes the third party course, he would be risking his political career. His force would need to make some sort of impact.

3/23/2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Raynard Rigby, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman says Embattled Holy Cross Member of Parliament - Sidney Stubbs still has The Party Support

Raynard Rigby added that talk of a possible bye-election is premature, because Mr. Stubbs has not yet exhausted the time provided under the constitution for him to have his bankruptcy order discharged 

Chairman Says PLP Fully Behind Stubbs

 

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

22/07/2004

 

 

 

 

Despite his legal troubles, Holy Cross Member of Parliament Sidney Stubbs still has the full support of the Progressive Liberal Party, PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby said Wednesday.

“Mr. Stubbs lodged his appeal, the matter is still before the courts and so he is still entitled to due process under the constitution,” Mr. Rigby said.

He added that talk of a possible bye-election is premature because Mr. Stubbs has not yet exhausted the time provided under the constitution for him to have his bankruptcy order discharged.

Although Mr. Stubbs has said he has repaid the debt that led to Supreme Court Justice Jeannie Thompson declaring him bankrupt nearly four months ago, he still has to have the order reversed before he can participate in proceedings of the House of Assembly.

His time would expire around the same time that the House comes off its summer recess in late September.

“Our support is in line with the protection given to him under the constitution,” Mr. Rigby told the Bahama Journal.

“I’ve spoken with his attorneys and I have been advised that he still has a number of options available to him, and they are exploring those options with a view to bringing the matter to an end.

“If they are successful in their options then obviously there would not be a bye-election in Holy Cross.”

However, Mr. Rigby said earlier in the week that should a bye-election be called, his party would undoubtedly be victorious.

But Free National Movement supporters say this would be unlikely.

“Having been lost or hiding himself from the many embarrassing moments of his embattled colleague and party, Mr. Rigby appears to have lost touch with reality as to what is going on in New Providence and The Bahamas at this time,” read a statement from the Action Group of The FNM issued Tuesday.

“In its current state of unacceptability, the PLP would be hard-pressed to win a seat in a bye-election or any kind of election in New Providence or elsewhere in The Bahamas.”

Sources within the PLP, meanwhile, have told the Journal that thought is already being given to who the PLP would run should a bye-election be called, with some speculating whether this would be an ideal time for CDR leader Dr. Bernard Nottage to accept what amounted to an invitation from Prime Minister Perry Christie for him to rejoin the PLP.

Last week, Mr. Christie told the Journal, “Everyone knows that I have a great deal of personal affection and a great deal of political admiration for Dr. Nottage, and most certainly look forward to the time when a process can be engaged in - if that is the wish of Dr Nottage - towards his becoming a full fledged member again of the Progressive Liberal Party.  I believe that is where he ought to be.”

For now, PLP officials are saying on the record that they are hopeful that Mr. Stubbs would once again take his place on the backbench when Members of Parliament return from their summer recess in September.