The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday dismissed claims that he and other members of his party were "nervous" about the organisation's first convention.

Mr McCartney declared that on November 13th "all seats will become available". 

Underscoring the party's democratic nature, Mr McCartney insisted that there is more than one person within the DNA with the capabilities and skill to lead the party.

"I mean, the bottom line is, I've said it before, in the DNA we have a deep bench,” he said. “Certainly if the members of the DNA wish for me to remain as their leader I will oblige. But nervous is the last thing on my mind when it comes down to that.

"Our constituencies will be up and running. By that time, we would've had a very good idea as to who the candidates will be or the majority of those candidates in preparation for the next election. All seats will become available," he added.

In the past the DNA has been criticised for its lack of "serviceable candidates" beyond the party's leaders and the lack of a convention following their defeat in the 2012 general election.

Mr McCartney, in his response to those concerns stated: "The DNA was formed of about 13 persons. At the time I was in the House of Assembly, I was an Independent member of the of the House of Assembly after leaving the FNM. The DNA was formed and, out of the 13 persons, inclusive of myself, I was elected leader of the DNA.

"I don't understand why the people would have thought it necessary for the DNA to have a convention when it first started out with 13 persons. That's silly," he said.

"We couldn't have a convention with 13 persons, with no constituencies being formed, no candidates, that's ludicrous you would think that. When the PLP was formed of their six persons, they didn't have a convention. When the FNM was formed with the dissident eight, they did not have a convention.”

In March, Mr McCartney stated that the DNA had originally hoped to hold a convention in May, but backtracked on those plans due to the inaugural Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

He said his party decided not to rush a convention, but has opted to consult citizens on issues facing them and then assemble the best party possible.

At the time he suggested that the country was “in for some surprises” during the DNA’s convention. He stated that “high profiles and backgrounds” would play a major role in who the party selects.

In recent weeks, the DNA has been linked to former PLP backbenchers Fort Charlotte MP Andre Rollins and Marco City MP Greg Moss. Both men resigned during the 2015-2016 Budget debate over concerns over the PLP's handling of national issues and leadership.

On Sunday, DNA deputy leader Chris Mortimer denied that the party was in discussions with Dr Rollins ahead of the 2017 general election, after a video surfaced of the two sitting in discussion at a local restaurant.