Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney weighed in on recent comments made by Prime Minister Perry Christie, asserting that he should “know when to walk away, know when to run.”
Mr. Christie during a local talk show said that he is the reason as to why the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) remains stable, and also that youth within the party have chosen him to stay as head of the party.
“The lyrics to the popular Kenny Rogers song ‘The Gambler’ say it best. We must know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run”. It’s a lesson the PM would do well to take note of,” he said.
“Sadly, Mr. Christie’s comments not only betray his own selfish political ambition, but are also an indictment on his leadership style.”
“After 40 odd years of public life, it appears that the prime minister has entered a period of political senility and should, at the earliest possible moment, be committed to the political equivalent of an assisted living facility to eke out the remainder of his days.”
“The idea that he, and he alone is fit to lead the PLP is more than just arrogant, it is in fact delusional as some within his own party have suggested.”
Last week, former PLP MP Phillip Galanis called the prime minister out as “delusional”, declaring that he is the reason as to why the PLP is so unstable.
Mr. Galanis said that there are many who are able to lead the party and even named Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis, Deputy Prime Phillip Brave Davis and Minister of Tourism and Minister of Education Obie Wilcombe and Jerome Fitzgerald respectively.
“Bahamians will remember clearly in the run up to the last general election Mr. Christie made a different declaration. Dubbing himself the “bridge to the future” the PM paraded fresh political faces before the electorate,” the DNA leader said.
“New generation leaders he called them; a group of men and women whom he said would be given not just a seat at the table, but also a voice and an opportunity to put their bright minds to good use.”
Mr. McCartney said that over the past four years however, The Bahamas has watched many of the new generation leaders, stifled and silenced, which caused them to abandon the PLP’s ship.
“Who are these young people the prime minister is talking about,” Mr. McCartney questioned.
“Every day of my life I recognize that I provide stability, my leadership provides stability to my side,” the prime minister said.
“You see what instability means when you look at the opposition and I daresay that this will happen when I demit office as well.”
Mr. McCartney boasted that the DNA has young people who complain about the lack of leadership of the current Christie led administration, noting that they [PLP] are simply out of touch with the youths needs.
“There are scores of bright young men and women who can’t find work because of the ineffective economic policies of this government. Each year, we lose thousands of college graduates who are simply choosing not to come home to contribute to building this country. Why? Because even after 40 years of service, our leaders will not step aside,” Mr. McCartney said.
The DNA has from the beginning advocated for term limits for prime minister and has also made it a part of the party’s constitution.
