UPDATED: Butler-Turner talks to DNA over Senate

Loretta Butler-Turner

As of Monday, December 12, 2016

DNA leader Branville McCartney.

1.30pm UPDATE: LEADER of the Official Opposition in Parliament Loretta Butler-Turner announced at a press conference Monday afternoon that Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney has been appointed leader of opposition business in the Senate. Full story HERE

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

IT WAS claimed last night that newly appointed official Opposition leader Loretta Butler-Turner has offered a Senate seat to the Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney.

However, Mrs Butler-Turner declined to comment on the report, saying she had made no decision, but would announce her Senate appointments within the next 24 hours.

On the heels of her historic appointment as the first female leader of the official Opposition, according to well-placed sources, Mrs Butler-Turner was expected to name her one-time Cabinet colleague during the last Ingraham administration leader of Opposition business in the Senate this week, if he accepts the offer.

The Tribune understands that after a weekend of “high level talks,” Mrs Butler-Turner, the Free National Movement’s MP for Long Island, has offered a deal to the DNA - “guaranteeing” the third party an official voice on national issues in the build-up to the 2017 general election.

In the wake of the ousting of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, all four of the party’s Senate appointments - Carl Bethel, Kwasi Thompson, Monique Gomez and Dr Duane Sands - have tendered their resignations.

They did so because Dr Minnis appointed them.

“The ball is with the DNA now, she laid her cards out to Mr McCartney and (his) team. It is all up to them now,” stated one source close to Mrs Butler-Turner.

“There is still some confusion over how exactly this will play out, but the DNA will move forward as the leader in the Upper Chamber if everything goes as planned.”

The offer was confirmed last evening by at least three high-ranking DNA officials, who did not want to be identified.

“The ink isn’t dried on this yet,” noted one DNA source.

Another DNA insider insisted that executives of the party still had to hold a final meeting today to determine if the party could and should accept the arrangement.

DNA Chairman Andrew Wilson, who was present during Mrs Butler-Turner’s appointment ceremony at Government House on Sunday, told The Tribune he was not in a position to confirm or deny if an arrangement was in place.

“I was at (Sunday’s) event because I viewed it as history in the making,” he said when contacted by The Tribune. “I wanted to be there to see that. We have never made any secret about the fact that we are open to talk with any group, any person, focused on moving this country forward. We have had conversations with many people to that end.”

Mr Wilson confirmed that Mr McCartney would address the press later today on the brewing speculation over the future of the DNA.

On Friday, Mr McCartney told The Tribune he had not “given any consideration” to public speculation that his party could be the destination for those seven FNM MPs who moved to oust Dr Minnis last week.

The former Bamboo Town MP told The Tribune at the time, that while he had not communicated directly with Mrs Butler-Turner, her move had opened the door to many political opportunities which he said needed to be “thoroughly considered” before being explored.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago

Deja vu all over again .................. Minnis has to find a candidate for Long Island asap

sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago

Now is the time to build coalition ......... DNA, Labour, Media and Business should be her Senate picks

Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago

Correct sheeprunner12. That is what needs to happen.

goodbyebahamas 7 years, 4 months ago

You are on the right path LBT, Mr. McCartney should be your Deputy Prime Minister in your administration, make sure is in charge of crime prevention; he will get things done. And if you both do a good job for the people, I don't see why he wouldn't be elected Prime Minister after her term is complete. I also feel you should both show up that the Jan.9th March holding hands together up in the air so the people see you have become one; I predict the crowd will go nuts and cheer for both of you if you do this. Don't worry about the PLP anymore, their finished in the eye's of the people, just concentrate on becoming one with Mr. McCartney and the election will have your name on it. God has blessed you to allow you to get this far in a man's World; I'm so proud of you my Bahamian sister.

Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago

The seven must lose their FNM ticket if Minnis prevails with the FNM. If LBT is to become one with Bran then would it be under the DNA banner? But then it is hard to see Bran stepping aside from his own party leadership to allow that to happen. Do they have time to create a new United Opposition party? Probably not. If however, the FNM decide that Minnis must go then Bran would have a pathway back to the FNM under LBT. That would surely be the best outcome for the country. LBT then would have a couple of years to impress (or not) as Prime Minister before the next FNM convention. It seems to me that Minnis stepping aside would be best for everyone.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago

Minnis needs to leave politics ............ he has failed ..........period

sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago

We are awaiting Hubert Minnis' announcement of the new FNM candidate for Long Island ........... the (political) vultures are circling the Long Island carcass for real this time!!!!!!!!!

Who is the new FNM candidate?????????? ............ PLP you are still not welcomed

sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago

Let me remind LBT and the FNM about 2002, 2007 and 2012 ............... Long Islanders rejected Jimmy Knowles because he was no longer wanted by the people (and he had pledged to resign) ......... but Ingraham brought him back to win a "safe seat" ........... and the people rejected the FNM candidate for their own Independent (Larry Cartwright) ........... Subsequently, Larry joined the FNM(?????) and he was for the record both unproductive and unpopular .......... Ingraham again imposed LBT on Long Islanders and many voted DNA against a "driftwood" ....... Now we are back to square one ............. another Independent will probably win in 2017

Economist 7 years, 4 months ago

Minnis pleeeeezzzz resign for the good of our Country.

TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago

Comrades! The cast of La La Land, the movie were the honoured guests at a party held at "taxpayers expense" by Her Excellency at Government House...cause it looks like “La La Land” is all set to dominate the 2017 General Elections Awards to take home "Seven-nominations," including best comedy or best lead actor in a comedy in a Coup de theater.

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by TalRussell

Alex_Charles 7 years, 4 months ago

If the DNA changes their asinine policies I will vote for a DNA candidate. but this seems like Deja Vu... Rollins would have shuffled to 4 different political parties... plus LBT's power fetish will not just end and she might not just submit to a Branville lead DNA. She has shown herself to be inept in that regard. Nothing is certain...

But if Alfred Sears takes leadership in the PLP, the entire game changes again.

This is the most fascinating and entertaining political cycle I have ever seen. But instead of their being a season finale, it's the future of the country as we know it. Everything is on the line at the moment

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