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

The National Development Party (NDP) is "still standing" and the movement is "alive and well." - says its Communications Director - Prince Smith

“NDP Won’t Fall Apart”

By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas


If you think the departure of 10 of its executives would cripple the National Development Party (NDP), think again.

NDP Communications Director Prince Smith says the party is "still standing" and the movement is "alive and well."

In an interview with the Bahama Journal recently, Mr. Smith said he wanted to let Bahamians know that the party has not fallen apart just because a handful of executives decided to quit and instead join the Progressive Liberal Party.

Last Wednesday, former NDP Leader Renward Wells – who previously said that third parties were the wave of the future – ate his own words and teamed up with the Opposition.

He took nine of his executives with him.

However, not all of the NDP members left.

Today, according to Mr. Smith, there are hundreds of members.

He said his party is now focusing on other things.

"We wish them well, but we’ve moved on. The National Development Party’s focus is on the plight of our nation, how we’re going to rescue this economy and how we can transform this economy into Bahamian ownership. That’s our focus," he said.

Mr. Smith said the NDP plans to field 41 candidates in the upcoming general election and has already begun the process of ratifying candidates.

He said he hopes to offer himself as a candidate.

But, before any of that happens, the NDP is moving full steam ahead to hold elections to replace its former leader and several executives. He said that could happen within the next two weeks.

He assured NDP supporters that the process will be both "democratic and fair."

"The Bahamas would know that in terms of deepening democracy those aren’t just words we use. The NDP has been the first political party in the history of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to institute the primary system. We don’t just talk it, we walk it," he said.

There are reports that the NDP has been engaged in talks with Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney’s new party, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

When asked if there were plans to team-up with the DNA, Mr. Smith said his party is interested in any entity that wants to oust the PLP and the Free National Movement (FNM).

"As for coming together, that will only be considered in an environment that promotes democracy, and mutual respect and is determined to bring aid and comfort to the Bahamian people," he said.

May 9th, 2011

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

WORKERS' Party leader Rodney Moncur says: ...the memorandum of understanding signed between the National Development Party (NDP) and the Workers' Party (WP) late last year establishing an alliance for the next general election, had been broken

Worker's party leader 'shocked' by NDP members move to the PLP


By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net



WORKERS' Party leader Rodney Moncur called an emergency party meeting last night after being "shocked" by news that ten executive members of the National Development Party left for the Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Moncur said the memorandum of understanding, signed between the NDP and the Workers' Party late last year establishing an alliance for the next general election, had been broken.

For weeks the NDP had been in discussions with Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney about possibly joining his newly formed Democratic National Alliance. The NDP was expected to soon make an announcement of their alliance with Mr McCartney's party but yesterday aligned with the official opposition in a surprising move.

Yesterday Mr Moncur said it appears as if the country's politicians were thrown into a tailspin by Mr McCartney's new party and view DNA as a real threat.

Development

"We've convened an emergency meeting of the central committee of the Workers' Party for tonight to discuss this new development. It is shocking because (Renward) Wells did not inform me of their decision however I received intelligence very early this morning that they were going to make the move," said Mr Moncur, telling The Tribune that Mr Wells confirmed this to him on Facebook before announcing it at a press conference yesterday.

He added that unlike former NDP leader Renward Wells, and the nine others who left with him, the Workers' Party will not give up the third party fight and "abandon" Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney and newly formed Democratic National Alliance.

"We shall not be like our allies and abandon Branville McCartney and the DNA," added the social activist and former candidate in the Elizabeth by-election. "We have heard what Bran McCartney and the DNA are offering to the Bahamian people and we are excited by it.

"I'm extremely disappointed that Wells could not stand on philosophical grounds and that he has allowed himself to succumb to filthy (politics). . .it's a bad political decision and he's on the wrong track. We shall support Branville McCartney and DNA and the only way we don't support him is if he say he ain' want us.

"We were encouraging the NDP to go into the DNA, we were in the background pushing them and telling them whatever the political plums that the PLP and FNM is offering its not worth it."
Yesterday Mr Wells, former NDP hopeful for Clifton constituency Latore Mackey and eight other executive council members announced they had joined the PLP.

A few NDP members were against the move and will carry on the party's name.

Messrs Wells and Mackey said the philosophy of PLP leader Perry Christie and the party's interest in change and young blood spurred them to cross party lines.

The move comes a few weeks after the NDP said it had heard the nation's cry for a viable alternative to the PLP and the Free National Movement, parties that have been heavily criticised by the NDP.

"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," Mr Wells told The Tribune in March.

Renward Wells - former National Development Party (NDP) leader says: Mr. Perry Christie is the gentlemen who is most able as a transitional leader to position The Bahamas and its economy to where we ought to go...

NDP chiefs flock to PLP


By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net




TEN members of the executive council of the National Development Party, including party leader Renward Wells, have left the fledgling party and joined the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Wells claimed that the former NDP members were not promised any post or nomination in the next general election by the PLP's leadership in exchange for their membership.

The parting members of the NDP said it is Mr Christie's political philosophy and the change in the political landscape over the last month - presumably the emergence of newly formed Democratic National Alliance - that spurred them to cross party lines.

"I have not been given no nomination for nothing and nobody else did," said Mr Wells at a press conference at ALCO House on Balfour Avenue yesterday. "The political landscape over the past month has dramatically changed. There's the introduction of a new element into that equation.

"There are three men vying for the top job of this country and of the three men who are vying for that job, at least from the perspective of me and the others, Mr Christie is the gentlemen who is most able as a transitional leader to position this country and this economy to where we ought to go. I say that unashamedly," he added.

For weeks the fringe party was in discussions with Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney and was expected to announce its alignment with DNA as a unified third party choice at the polls. The Tribune understands that certain members of the NDP felt that DNA leader Branville McCartney was cold and not receptive to their ideas. The NDP also had an alliance with the Workers' Party, led by Rodney Moncur.

Latore Mackey, former NDP hopeful for the Clifton constituency, explained why discussions with other fringe parties broke down.

"We have went through an exhausting exercise trying to find the vehicle that will not just take the name of a party into a general election but the vehicle that will best take the message of that party. We've tried with the alternative parties, we've tried forming a coalition but there always was some impasse. The NDP bent over backwards trying to accommodate all and sundry but that has proven fruitless, it has become a position whereas we've allowed personalities to take control as opposed to realising that it is the message of deepening the democracy and empowering the people of this country."

A few members decided not to side with the PLP and will carry on the NDP's name.
Still Mr Mackey feels it will have been difficult for the young party to be successful in the next election. He said while the party did not lack ideals, it was short on members, money and notoriety needed to challenge the two major parties.

Since the party's inception in late 2008 the NDP has been critical of the political establishment and the PLP.

When asked to explain the turnaround, Mr Wells said while he did not agree with all of Mr Christie's political choices he was confident the former prime minister was a man who will govern according to the wishes of the people.

"What we have gotten from the PLP is an assurance that in the upcoming campaign and in the government of Perry Christie over the next five years, that the Bahamian people will be first. That is the assurance that we got," said Mr Wells.

In a statement released last night, the PLP welcomed the former NDP members to the party, saying their actions "demonstrate a key difference between the FNM and the PLP."

"The FNM believes in the acquisition of entire political parties through promises for public relations gains," the statement said. "Alternatively, the PLP invites and welcomes the best individuals into our tent. We are prepared to be the next Government of the Bahamas and welcome those who want to contribute to the good governance of the Bahamas.

"The PLP is a good fit for the former NDP leadership because we put people first. The PLP is committed to a new generation, innovative new ideas."

Thursday, May 05, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Renward Wells - National Development Party (NDP) leader says that his party is still in the "valley of decisions" as it pertains to joining Branville McCartney's Democratic National Alliance (DNA)

NDP considers joining DNA party

tribune242




AN ANNOUNCEMENT is expected by the end of the week as to whether or not the National Development Party (NDP) will join with the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) or remain as a third party force going into the next general election.

According to NDP leader Renward Wells, his party is still in the "valley of decisions" as it pertains to the DNA, which was formed recently by former FNM Minister and now Independent MP Branville McCartney.

However, as it stands, Mr Wells said his party will not be making any comments as there are still a few "things to be worked out in the next couple of days." In the meantime, he said he would rather leave whatever "big announcement" will inevitably come to its "predetermined time."

Rumours have been circulating for weeks that the NDP had already dissolved itself and joined with Mr McCartney's DNA party, with Mr Wells and a few other prominent members of the NDP taking up key leadership roles.

Among the positions being reported, it is rumoured that Mr Wells had been promised the position of chairman, with his deputy leader, Lynden Nairn, becoming the deputy leader of the DNA. La'Tore Mackey, it is reported, would be promoted to the position of secretary general, while Mr McCartney remains as leader of the party.

Last week, Mr Wells indicated that his party would make a decision during that week as to its political future. This decision reportedly came days after activist and businessman Ethric Bowe resigned from the NDP after he was out-voted 18 to two over the group's plans to continue talks with outside political organisations.

On his Facebook page, Mr Bowe claimed a tyre on his car was slashed after the "contentious" meeting.

Mr Bowe left the party because he thought the NDP was "betraying" its core principles, explained Mr Wells, who added that the former's claims of a slashed tyre are unfounded.

However, all of the third party's attempts to amalgamate may be in vain as Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has dismissed their importance in the upcoming general election.

During a recent business opening, Mr Ingraham foreshadowed that the election will strictly be between the PLP and the FNM.

"Period, full stop ... that's who people are going to decide (from in) the next election of the Bahamas," Mr Ingraham said.

Attempts to reach Mr McCartney for comment were unsuccessful.

April 27, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamian politics, politicians, pundits, pollsters, strange bedfellows and the next general election in The Bahamas

Politicians, pundits and pollsters

By Philip C. Galanis





With slightly more than one year, at most, before the general election must be called, the political temperature is already rising. In February this year, Dr. Andre Rollins resigned from the NDP, the political party he helped to create, and joined the PLP. He was quickly nominated to be the latter's standard bearer in the Fort Charlotte constituency.

In March, Branville McCartney, the FNM Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, resigned from the governing Party and announced that his newly formed Democratic National Alliance (DNA) will contest the next elections with a full slate of candidates.

Not to be outdone or upstaged by Christie's PLP or Bran's DNA, last week Prime Minister Ingraham, with great fanfare and flanked by fellow-ministers and followers, welcomed Cassius Stuart, the Leader of the Bahamas Democratic Party, along with virtually his entire disbanded decade-old organization, into the Free National Movement. And let us not forget that one of the dailies predicted the imminent demise of the National Democratic Party, given the dissatisfaction with several of its leaders and disaffection from its ranks.

Meanwhile some Bahamian political spectators are virtually salivating in exuberant excitement and eager expectation to see which other veteran and wannabe politicians will be co-opted and who will defect from their current positions as this political ballet is choreographed and performed on the political stage. Perhaps as never before will the adage that "politics makes strange bedfellows" be corroborated as a truism in Bahamian politics — for the next few months, in any event.

Therefore this week, we would like to Consider This...what are we to make of the recent developments that have evoked such excitement on the domestic political landscape and what part do the pundits and pollsters play in this ever-growing drama we call Bahamian politics?

Politicians

It has become very clear that some of the recent novices and veterans in the political arena have now realized that they will continue to be marginalized by remaining on the periphery of the real political stage, outside the organizational mainstream of the two behemoths that are the PLP and the FNM. Accordingly, Dr. Andre Rollins and Cassius Stuart — along with almost his entire party — have determined to hitch their political fortunes to the major parties.

A frequently asked question regarding such political vacillations is whether those persons are really interested in improving the things that they have articulated to be wrong with both the country and the major political parties that up to one year ago they vehemently opposed, or are they more interested in their own political elevation and personal aggrandizement? Although Bran McCartney has taken a very different course, some will put the same question to him. Just how true they remain to their principles and fundamental positions will become more apparent in the fullness of time.

Pundits

The term "pundit" normally refers to one who regards himself as an expert in a particular subject and who offers his opinion or commentary to the public on that subject. Punditry has been applied to political analysis, the social sciences and sports. Traditionally, political pundits would include radio and television talk show hosts and their guests who are generally knowledgeable in such matters. Pundits also include newspaper and magazine columnists, most of whom, with the exception of the Scribe and Front Porch by Simon (both pseudonyms), have the courage of their convictions to identify themselves and stand by their positions, whether the public perceives their positions to be right, wrong or indifferent.

Pundits are often not necessarily scientific in their approach to political analysis, relying more on their intuition, a sixth sense, if you will, a historical frame of reference and even on their personal experience to explain the vicissitude of politics.

In a general sense, however, many Bahamians think of themselves as political pundits and equally possessed of the qualities that characterize those who more traditionally fit the definition. Virtually every Bahamian has a political opinion. Because Bahamians are generally well-informed on partisan and national issues, extremely interested in the body politic and politically astute, they are as eager to express their views as they are prepared to criticize or support government and opposition policies and decisions. And that is very healthy for our polity.

Pollsters

Pollsters on the other hand, as compared to pundits, attempt to provide a degree of scientific sophistry to political developments and issues of the day. An effective pollster will have a good understanding of mathematical and statistical methods to analyze and interpret events and to forecast outcomes. In short, pollsters have mastered the art that many politicians so often fail at. They actually ask people what they think about an issue, a policy or a national decision. Then they summarize the answers to the questions that they ask and present their findings based on what people actually think.

Some people are skeptical of pollsters, often objecting to the validity of the answers garnered from the poll, because the "doubting Thomases" question the veracity of persons whom they poll. It has often been suggested that Bahamians will provide the answers that they think the pollster is seeking rather than the truth of how the person polled actually feels.

However, there are techniques for pollsters to filter answers in order to arrive at a consensus position of persons who are polled. Furthermore, although polling in The Bahamas is a relatively new discipline, the politician who prefers to rely exclusively on his intuition or the “expertise” of the pundits do so at their peril. The fact of the matter is that politics has become more scientific in assessing public opinion and sentiment and polling has proven to be a very useful tool to accomplish that task.

Just this past week, the relatively new Bahamian market research firm, Public Domain, headed by Mwale Rahming, released the results of a poll that his firm conducted between February 16 and March 11, 2011. Public Domain indicated that 402 persons were polled, weighted by region, age and gender, in order to ensure that the population represented a good cross-section of the Bahamian adult population. The poll represented a five percent margin of error which is quite acceptable for such an exercise.

To the question: "If the election was held today, which party would you vote for?" the results were reminiscent of the Elizabeth bye-election. The respondents indicated that 28 percent would vote for the PLP and 25 percent for the FNM. What is even more revealing about that poll is that 21 percent indicated that they would vote for a third, unbranded party and 26 percent were undecided. The conclusion of that poll is that 47 percent, nearly one-half of the respondents, did not have an appetite for either the PLP or the FNM. The conclusion can be drawn from this is that there is a very large percentage of disaffected voters who are not happy with the two major parties. This confirms the perceptions of many political pundits.

Secondly, the respondents were asked "How satisfied are you with the current government led by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham?" The response was that 14 percent were very satisfied, 35 percent were somewhat satisfied for a total of 49 percent who were generally satisfied with the current government. Equally revealing was the conclusion that 21 percent were somewhat dissatisfied and another 25 percent were very dissatisfied for a total dissatisfaction rating of 46 percent. The remaining four percent did not know. This is very interesting when one considers how close today’s figures are to the percentage of voters who actually voted FNM in the last general election, nearly 49.82 percent, as compared to those who didn’t vote FNM but voted PLP, which was 46.98 percent.

Finally, to the question: "If a third political party presented a full slate of andidates with a mix of veteran and new candidates, how likely would you be to vote for this third party?" the responses were astounding. The response was that 32 percent were very likely to do so, 25 percent were somewhat likely to do so, for a total of 57 percent who said that they were likely to vote for a third party. In addition, 11 percent were not very likely to do so, while another 21 percent were not likely at all to vote for a third party, rendering a total of 32 percent who would not likely to vote for a third party. The remaining 11 percent did not know.

These poll results should give both the PLP and the FNM reason to be concerned about voter sentiment at this particular point in time and should also be very encouraging to Branville McCartney who, when this poll was conducted, had not yet announced that he would form a political party and that he would present a full slate of candidates in the upcoming elections.

Conclusion

We have always maintained that the next general election will be a close, fiercely contested and combative conflict. It is clear that politicians must fully understand the political landscape. The pundits will have much to talk and write about as the "silly season" unfolds, sharing their considered opinions and gut feelings with all and sundry. Finally, the pollsters will have an increasingly important role to play as they investigate and measure the actual feelings of voters, unraveling the variables and vicissitudes that will contribute to the success of the victor and failure of the vanquished in the next general election, whenever it is called.

Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.

4/17/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Cassius Stuart’s decision to join the governing Free National Movement (FNM) party demonstrates that he has the sense to know when a lost cause should be abandoned

Is Cassius Stuart still credible?

thenassauguardian editorial



Cassius Stuart spent much of the last decade raging against the political order as the leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM). The BDM argued that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) were not good enough for The Bahamas.

Stuart and the BDM — a fringe party — were never successful building up the clout necessary to challenge for a seat in the House of Assembly.

So after a decade trying, Stuart and the BDM have gone to the FNM.

Can you blame them? At the February 2010 Elizabeth by-election, Stuart, a ‘party’ leader, was not even able to secure enough votes to get back his election deposit. That was clearly a sign that the BDM had gone nowhere.

We think third parties should dedicate the time necessary to build the brand. Stuart and the BDM did this and, over time, there was no meaningful connection between the organization and the people.

It is expected that at least Stuart — out of the BDM executives who joined the FNM — will be named an FNM candidate at the next general election.

His decision, and that of the other BDM members, was pragmatic. It merely demonstrates what all should know: Politics is not about ideals, but about power. To achieve the goal of being able to exercise power, the BDM realized that it needed to join one of the mainstream parties.

The BDM members should not be criticized for losing the childlike idealism they had. In fact, they should be commended for offering themselves as candidates over the years rather than merely complaining about the state of the country from the sidelines.

Stuart’s decision demonstrates that he has the sense to know when a lost cause should be abandoned.

“Today, the same message that guided us in the wilderness over this past decade is the message that has been embraced by the Free National Movement — a message we believe will touch the lives of every man, woman and child in our archipelago,” said Stuart last week when he was welcomed to the party at FNM headquarters.

Dr. Andre Rollins did the same thing. He abandoned the fledgling National Development Party (NDP) and is now a candidate for the PLP in a winnable seat (Ft. Charlotte).

What young politicians must learn is that they should not let youthful zeal lead them to make statements in the public sphere they will later regret when powerful political leaders offer them ‘things’ and they then abandoned all they once claimed to believe and support.

Stuart and Dr. Rollins are now in the mainstream. They both will now likely have good chances at winning a seat at the election. The things they said about the FNM and PLP in the past were merely words aimed at a goal. They now have what they wanted. The words and deeds worked.

4/17/2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Renward Wells - The National Development Party (NDP) leader wants to immediately merge his party with Branville McCartney’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA)

NDP leader wants party to join DNA

By JUAN McCARTNEY
Guardian Senior Reporter
juan@nasguard.com



The National Development Party (NDP) appears to have dissention in the ranks as its leader, Renward Wells, is reportedly trying to have the party immediately merge with Bamboo Town Member of Parliament Branville McCartney’s newly formed Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

In e-mails leaked by at least one NDP member yesterday, Wells urged members of his party, as well as the People’s Deliverance Party, headed by attorney Paul Moss, and Workers Party leader Rodney Moncur, to join the DNA by tomorrow.

NDP members were said to be concerned that McCartney’s leadership would be automatic without members having a say.

Wells claimed that Moss agreed to join the DNA and accept McCartney as leader.

“The solution is for all of us to join the DNA, Bran leads, Paul and I agreed to that already, and the other positions voted on quickly,” said the leaked e-mail. “Obviously the NDP cannot nor do we desire to have our way in everything.”

However, a source close to Moss who did not wish to be identified, said that he never agreed to join the DNA.

NDP member Ethric Bowe discovered Moss’ position and sent a scathing response to Wells yesterday morning.

“Renward, I just spoke with Paul and he again categorically and absolutely denied what you claim in this e-mail,” wrote Bowe.

“…You are creating something far worse than (Prime Minister Hubert) Ingraham could ever create. DNA appears more dangerous than Hubert Ingraham could ever be and based on what you have done to date I would prefer to support Ingraham or (Progressive Liberal Party leader Perry) Christie than DNA.”

Bowe had expressed his desire to join the PLP if the NDP and the DNA could not come to terms.

NDP members were said to be meeting last night. Wells had called for a meeting with the DNA yesterday, but it is unclear if that was the same meeting.

On Tuesday, Wells claimed the NDP was invited to join the Free National Movement. The FNM yesterday denied Wells’ claim and said he initiated the talks.

4/14/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

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

Dr. Andre Rollins: I have decided to act now to follow my convictions and to proudly join the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)

Former NDP chief Andre Rollins joins the PLP
By LAMECH JOHNSON:


ORTHODONTIST and would-be parliamentarian Andre Rollins has joined the Progressive Liberal Party after tendering his resignation to the National Development Party.

The former NDP chairman said it was his belief that Bahamians wanted to see a change in the nation's politics, however the expectation had been placed on the already established political parties as opposed to political newcomers.

Dr Rollins said: "It is my strong conviction that it is neither wise, nor practical, to continue pursuing the development of a new political party in an environment of scarce resources and weak public demand, where prospects for success are long-term at best and with so much at stake in our nation's immediate future."

Dr Rollins said while he shared the idealism of many concerning the imperfections of the major parties, he appreciated the importance of pragmatism in strategically solving national problems.

Dr Rollins added: "It is still my belief that Bahamians want to see change in our nation's politics, because they realise the critical role that government must play in correcting the now regressive course of our national development."

Last year, Dr Rollins was one of five candidates fighting to represent Elizabeth Estates, securing 49 votes.

Shortly after the by-election, Dr Rollins was courted by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and former PLP first lady Dame Marguerite Pindling, who invited him to join their parties.

In July, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell expressed his desire to see Dr Rollins cross over to the PLP after his performance in the country's first political debate, a week prior to the by-election.

At that time, the orthodontist maintained his membership in the NDP.

In yesterday's statement, Dr Rollins encouraged the leadership of the NDP to consider the viability of merging with the PLP.

He said: "Just as I believe in our nation's potential for greatness, despite our present shortcomings, I am also confident that notwithstanding the PLP's imperfections, this groundbreaking party still possesses the capacity for change."

Dr Rollins added: "Whatever the party's ultimate decision, they know that I shall respect their right to proceed as they deem best, yet hold out hope that we will be of one accord; but I have decided to act now to follow my convictions and to proudly join the PLP."

February 17, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

The National Development Party (NDP) says the controversial $2.6 billion Baha Mar project is "not in the best interest" of the Bahamian people

Gov’t Told To Scrap Baha Mar
BY KARISSMA ROBINSON


The National Development Party (NDP) wants the government to scrap the controversial $2.6 billion Baha Mar project because in its current state it is "not in the best interest" of the Bahamian people.

"The deal is not good for Bahamians and that is the bottom line," said NDP member Renward Wells.

"The NDP calls on the Free National Movement (FNM) Government, which touts itself as being a party of accountability and transparency, to immediately table the entire Baha Mar deal. The Bahamian public should be able to see and have an open and honest discussion on this agreement."

Mr. Wells and prominent attorney Paul Moss were guests on the Love 97 talk show, On Point Monday night with host Rogan Smith, where they made it quite clear that the government is about to make a huge mistake.

"Looking at it in totality I am not sure that the financial benefits that the government is projecting is going to happen," said Mr. Wells.

Mr. Wells also objected to 265 acres of prime land being transferred before any construction begins on the project.

"We don’t believe in the sale of Bahamian land. The prime Minister stated that the land will be transferred in Fee simple and Baha Mar says they are paying for the land. I want to know who is right," he said.

Mr. Wells said that there are still a lot of questions that are left unanswered.

"Who will the government have review Baha Mar’s construction drawings for building code violations and design flaws? Who will the government have on-site to inspect and ensure that the design on the blueprint is adhered to?" he asked

Furthermore, Mr. Wells said there are a number of Bahamian mechanical and electrical engineers who are capable of designing such a project.

Mr. Moss said due to the poor state of the economy it seems as if the government would do almost anything to provide jobs.

"They will sell their souls to the devil to try to create jobs. They are not going to get it done that way. What is going to happen is an invasion of this country, strangers will take over your land and future generations will not know The Bahamas as we know it today," said Mr. Moss.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has already gone on record saying that if he was prime minister at the time, he would not have approved the Baha Mar deal.

"It is incredible that even after he said it was a bad deal; he is still going to go ahead with it," said Mr. Moss, who said the country cannot afford to go ahead with this project as it is.

"This deal, given what we know, must be renegotiated. We call on the FNM Government to re-negotiate this deal to ensure that the maximum benefits of this project accrue to Bahamians," he said.

As previously reported, House members will not debate the Baha Mar resolution today that deals with the foreign labour component of the agreement.

Baha Mar wants the government to approve more than 8,000 work permits for Chinese workers to work on the Cable Beach project.

Baha Mar officials have to first deal with their financial issues with Scotiabank.

Baha Mar has an outstanding $200 million loan with the bank.

September 22nd, 2010

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

The National Development Party (NDP) Demands “Full And Frank” Disclosure On Safety Protocol At The Freeport Container Port (FCP)

By Karissma Robinson:



The National Development Party (NDP) is calling on the government and Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) to provide a full and frank disclosure about safety protocol at the Freeport Container Port (FCP).

Hutchison is a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL).

In a press statement released yesterday, the NDP insisted that the type of work conducted at FCP puts its employee’s lives at a great risk on a daily basis.

Three Container Port workers were killed and 11 injured on Monday after a powerful tornado ripped through Grand Bahama, toppling a crane two of the workers were in.

"We want a full and frank disclosure as to safety protocols that were in place at the site and on the island to reduce this risk for the protection of workers. We want to know whether protocols were followed by the relevant authorities," the release said.

The NDP also expressed its condolences to Grand Bahamians.

According to initial reports, one of the cranes could not be stabilised due to the high winds and heavy rain.

As a result, that crane crashed into another creating a domino effect.

One of the toppling cranes crashed to the ground where some persons were conducting maintenance.

FCP CEO Gary Gilbert, as well as FCP Director Godfrey Smith sent out their condolences to the families of those employees who were killed. They also offered the company’s prayers for the full and complete recovery of those workers who were injured and are currently being treated at the Rand Memorial Hospital.

At least three tornadoes touched down in the Freeport area between midday and 1:00 p.m. leaving behind uprooted trees, scattered debris, damage homes, and vehicles.

The report came just before a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for the island warning of possible heavy rainfall, hail, heavy flooding, frequent lightning and funnel clouds.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, along with the National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest and Social Development Minister Dion Foulkes made a special trip to Grand Bahama yesterday to get a first hand look at the damage.

March 31st, 2010

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas: Third Party Leaders React To Election Court Decision

By Karissma Robinson:



Two third party leaders who ran in the Elizabeth by-election last month are reacting to Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate, Ryan Pinder’s Election Court victory.
On Tuesday, Senior Supreme Court Justices Anita Allen and Jon Isaacs decided to allow five protest votes to be counted in Mr. Pinder’s favour.

The decision led to Mr. Pinder winning the February 16, by-election.

The Bahama Journal spoke with National Development Party (NDP) candidate, Dr. André Rollins and Worker’s Party candidate, Rodney Moncur, who weighed in on the ruling.

Dr. Rollins pointed out that from the beginning of the court battle his party maintained that no voter should be disenfranchised and all lawful votes should be counted.

However, he said that the controversy surrounding the by-election process is a direct reflection of the country’s electoral process.

As a result, Dr. Rollins said parliamentarians "must take electoral reform very seriously."

"This is something that must be done in this country. It is unfortunate that it took so long for parliamentarians to realise that something is wrong with the process," said Dr Rollins.

Dr. Rollins suggested that parliamentarians look at several issues that he believes directly impacts the integrity of The Bahamas’ electoral process, including, establishing a fixed date for all general elections; compiling a database linking the National Insurance number, driver’s license number, passport number, voter identification number and a newly created public utility services Number to verify voters’ identities and to keep better track of where they live and when they die.

He said they should also look at making it mandatory for any voter register used in an election to be completed no less than six months prior to the election for which it is used.

Dr. Rollins said he was happy that the Elizabeth constituents have finally gotten a representative.

"The people of Elizabeth should not have been without a representative for a long period of time. I am most pleased with the fact that the ruling has been executed with a great deal of urgency," said Dr. Rollins

Meantime, Mr. Moncur maintained that Ryan Pinder – now the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Elizabeth constituency – is not the right man for the job.

In fact, he insists Mr. Pinder is still not qualified to even hold the Elizabeth seat.

"I am currently reviewing the ruling and consulting with counsel to make sure that I properly understand what I have read. After I would have read the ruling, I will determine whether or not that American (Mr. Pinder) should be sitting in a Bahamian parliament," said Mr. Moncur.

"I have not seen any evidence that this man has renounced his U.S. citizenship. It is scandalous that an American be elected to run in any of The Bahamas’ elections."

Mr. Pinder will be sworn in as the newest Member of Parliament on April 14 at the opening of parliament.

March 25th, 2010

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

Dr. Duane Sands Dissatisfied With Elizabeth by-election Results

BY KENDENO N. KNOWLES:


He was declared the unofficial winner of the much anticipated and hotly contested Elizabeth by-election, but Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Dr. Duane Sands only won the election by one point – almost 300 votes less than Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had previously predicted.

Dr. Sands admitted last night that he was not too happy with the way things went at the polls.

Slightly disappointed with the close finish at the polls, the FNM candidate said the results have left him with a bit of uncertainty.

"It is not the type of feeling that I would have hoped to have had at this point. I imagine that [Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate] Ryan Pinder is feeling similarly and that is almost unsure of what [Wednesday] is going to bring," Dr. Sands said.

While uncertainty looms about who the official winner is up to this point, Dr. Sands said he feels that he is more or less in a better position that Mr. Pinder.

"I prefer, however, to be in a position where I am one point up as opposed to one point down. But to be quite honest with you this is not going to be the jubilant night that we all expected," he said.

The exhausting campaign trail took the FNM candidate from door-to-door in the Elizabeth constituency and even to the houses of those that did not support him.

Even with that, Dr. Sands said he never doubted his success at the polls.

"I never doubted that I would win this election, but, we always gave the voters the respect that they deserved and you can see that one vote made all the difference," he said.

The ballots are scheduled to be recounted today and there is a possibility that Mr. Pinder might be declared the official winner.

If he loses, Dr. Sands said he would focus his energy on running in the 2012 General Election.

"If I do not win it’ll be over at this point, but now we [will have to] get on with the business of taking care of the people’s needs in Elizabeth," he said.

"If I don’t win I will be back practicing medicine and will return to seek the seat in Elizabeth in the 2012 election."

Dr. Sands could not say whether he would reapply for the many government and private positions he resigned from in order to pursue a political career.

Meanwhile National Development Party (NDP) candidate Dr. Andre Rollins – whose performance at the polls rivaled the performance of the other third parties – pointed out that while the PLP and FNM may have been successful at the polls, there was a poor voter turnout.

That is something Dr. Rollins said shows how fed-up the people of Elizabeth and around the country really are with both parties’ performance.

"I think that the poor voter turnout is evidence that many Bahamians are displeased with what is in fact the state of the nation. I think that many persons stayed home despite the excitement that we feel was being generated on a national level," he said.

"By virtue of the poor voter turnout, I believe it implies that persons were not sufficiently motivated or stimulated enough by either of the mainstream political parties."

Dr. Rollins said a look at the votes garnered by the third parties would reveal that all three of the parties made an impact on this election.

February 17th, 2010

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

Elizabeth by-election: FNM ahead by one vote

tribune242:

ONE vote decided the winner of the hotly contested Elizabeth by-election, unofficially leaving the FNM's Duane Sands as the representative for the area vacated by the PLP's Malcolm Adderley last month.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister and leader of the FNM Hubert Ingraham said that the governing party would not be declaring victory just yet, admitting that things can go "either way" following today's recount.

As The Tribune predicted, the election came right down to the wire as Dr Sands unofficially won the contest with a total of 1,501, beating his closest contender PLP Ryan Pinder, who obtained 1,500 votes.

In the end third party candidates and low turn out made a huge difference in this election.

While typically for a general election the voter turn out is in the 90 per cent range, approximately 64 per cent of voters turned out on Tuesday.

Altogether third party candidates gathered a total of 141 votes. Literally had any of these votes cast for the NDP, BDM or Workers' Party gone to the PLP or FNM it could have been a game changer.

However, yesterday's "official unofficial results" left FNM's cautiously optimistic and PLPs saying they were not willing to give up as yet.

Returning officer Jack Thompson told The Tribune yesterday that there would be no official recount until today.

There were a lot of factors at play in the Elizabeth by-election, among which is the issue of contested and protest ballots. While the challenged votes were included in the tally, the protested votes were not.

According to Mr Thompson, voters whose names were on the register, but were disputed by party agents, were challenged and required to swear an oath.

Voters whose names were not on the register or had questionable voter cards were protested and required to vote on coloured ballots.

Mr Thompson did not have the official numbers of challenged or protested votes up to press time.

Weeks ago, members of each contending party in the by-election raised an alarm over irregularities with the voting register published by the Parliamentary Registration Department.

Party members claimed they were unable to find hundreds of people on the register during house-to-house visitations. They were not satisfied everyone on the list had lived in the constituency for three months.

One of the biggest side stories of this election was Tommy Turnquest's revelation at an FNM rally the night before that 35-year-old Ryan Pinder had never voted in the Bahamas but had deemed it important to vote in two US elections.

This fact left Mr Pinder vulnerable to open mocking by his opponents.

FNM Chairman Carl Bethel said when Ryan Pinder arrived at Thelma Gibson yesterday morning, the FNM supporters gathered outside sang the US national anthem.

When their candidate Dr Duane Sands arrived, the group sang the Bahamian national anthem.

NDP candidate Dr Andre Rollins said that he was embarrassed for Mr Pinder.

Dr Rollins said that had the FNM come out with this information sooner, the PLP candidate would have never been able to overcome it.

PLP candidate Ryan Pinder called Tommy Turnquest's revelation about his voting history "gutter politics" and said he was not going to respond.

However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said this was nothing but FNM "propaganda" that was being used as a "red herring" to distract PLPs.

Roberts said it was "not a big deal" and that Turnquest's comments were not a matter of any substance. He further suggested that Pinder had renounced his US citizenship before he nominated and that the FNM was aware of this all along.

PLP Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis chiming in on his candidate's voting history said he thought it was disingenuous of the FNM to reveal this information at the last minute giving Ryan Pinder no chance to respond.

He pointed out that during the time in question, Pinder was living and working in the United States and so would not have had the residency required to vote in a Bahamian election.

There were no major disturbances yesterday but police had to be called to quiet rowdy FNM and PLP supporters who gathered outside the polling station at Faith Temple, where the votes were tallied.

Tensions were mounting with supporters of both parties shouting at each other and becoming increasingly aggressive.

The man who was the catalyst for all the excitement on Tuesday, former PLP MP for Elizabeth, Malcolm Adderley, was suspiciously quiet and spent the day away from the spotlight.

When contacted by The Tribune he refused to comment on the election proceedings, saying, "I'm not speaking today."

The election was plagued by low voter turnout and throughout the day swing voters said they were still unsure of who they were throwing their support behind.

The low voter turn out concerned both parties with leader of the opposition, Perry Christie, saying he and his members were getting anxious because voter turnout has been so low.

BDM candidate Cassius Stewart suspects the voter turnout was low because many of the people who appeared on the register weren't actually eligible to vote.

He said if a better analysis of the registry could be done, it may reveal that turnout among eligible voters could be closer to 70 per cent.

Meanwhile, supporters of both major parties are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this morning's recount.

February 17, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

National Development Party (NDP) threatens legal action against the Parliamentary Registration Department over rejection of party 'thumbs up' symbol

By AVA TURNQUEST
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net:


THE NATIONAL Development Party is threatening legal action against the Parliamentary Registration Department if it continues to reject its application for its party's symbol.

According to party leaders, Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel has repeatedly denied the NDP permission to register the "Thumbs Up" symbol as the party's official logo.

The "thumbs up" was first rejected in October 2008 because it was thought to be too similar to the Progressive Liberal Party's three fingered "crab" symbol and could lead to possible voter confusion.

The NDP hoped it would be able to use the symbol in the Elizabeth by-election and met with the Commissioner earlier this month anticipating that he would reconsider the party's application.

In a hand-delivered letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner on Saturday, Chairman of the NDP Executive Steering Committee Andre Rollins said that the party feels that there was "no similarity between a hand showing three fingers and a hand showing a single thumb."

"Any suggestion to the contrary indicated that the intelligence of the Bahamian voter is held in extremely low regard," he said.

Mr Rollins argued that in order to function, the political system ideally requires voters to comprehend and remain current with relevant issues; and be also knowledgeable of respective party positions on these issues.

He further stated that the critical analysis skills needed to address certain issues far surpasses competency needed to differentiate between party symbols.

"If we do not believe that voters can comprehend the various party positions on issues, are we then suggesting that we do not expect voters to vote on the issues? If we are to maximize the potential of our nation -- socially, culturally, economically and politically -- we must first raise our expectations of our people," he said.

January 25, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International