The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister has predicted that the third party, the Democratic National Alliance, will “come apart at the seams” before the country sees its next general election in 2017.

George Smith, who served in the Pindling administration, told The Tribune yesterday that he was extremely doubtful that the DNA would be successful in attracting the support of the electorate for another voting season.

The party was successful in capturing more than 13,000 votes in the 2012 general election. Political pundits have argued that the party dealt a serious blow to then governing Free National Movement, contributing to its defeat to the PLP.

Mr Smith said the DNA’s system of operation, which appears to be in the absence of a proper democratic process, would be a major stumbling block for the party moving forward.

“There will not be a DNA by the next election,” Mr Smith explained. “One man cannot lead a party and that is what I believe is happening there. No organisation built on one man can last. I’ve never heard mention of a branch much less them even having a convention. Who elected Branville McCartney?”

Mr Smith also suggested that the party appointed a deputy leader and chairman rather than electing them at a convention.

“In the most ordinary of organisations throughout the country they elect the person who will lead and have branches that operate in the most remote parts of the island. They elect people and go through the motions.

“But on the other side of it you have the DNA, that doesn’t practise a correct democratic process. And that to me slaps in the face of the whole process.

“That doesn’t make a political party,” he said.

Attempts to reach Mr McCartney yesterday for a response to Mr Smith’s claims were not successful up to press time.

Pointing to Mr McCartney’s recent comments about capital punishment in response to the worsening crime situation in the country, Mr Smith added that the DNA was too traditional in its leadership style to be the next government of the Bahamas.

“This country doesn’t need another party that are further right than the FNM. We need progressive, middle of the road parties,” he said.

Mr McCartney told reporters nearly two weeks ago that his party’s first order of business would be to enforce the death penalty immediately on anyone who is convicted of murder.

At the time, he said: “I would start hanging people. I would make it the law right away. You commit murder, you will meet your maker. You will talk to the Almighty. I will not have any criminal element in this country controlling our way of life.”

With less than a month left in 2014, the country’s murder toll stood at 110 up to press time.

However, when asked what he thought of the Christie administration’s handling of the crime situation, Mr Smith said he believed the government was doing its best.

He said he did not think society placed sufficient attention on what lies at the root of major crimes.