Democratic National Alliance (Bahamas)

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is a political party in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas which was formed in 2011. The party is currently led by Branville McCartney, who is the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bamboo Town constituency and Minister of Immigration. The party lies to the right of the Bahamian political spectrum. The party largely stands against illegal immigration, and proposes wide-ranging tax and economic reforms.

History

The party was formed when then Minister Branville McCartney left the Ingraham administration in 2011 in protest of a string of flawed policy and the lack of opportunity for members of the party to express their discontent with the direction of nation and Free National Movement.

2012 General Election

The leader of the DNA challenged then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and Progressive Liberal Party leader Perry Christie to a series of debates across the country. Ingraham flatly denied, while Christie agreed to the debates, though no debate materialized. During the May General Election, the DNA garnered 8.5% of the popular vote, but lost their one seat in Parliament (Bamboo Town) to PLP candidate Renward Wells. The PLP won the general election, and Ingraham subsequently resigned as Free National Movement leader being replaced by former health director Hubert Minnis.

Beyond 2012

The DNA is the Bahamas's fastest growing political party and has buttressed its political post election standing, gaining the support of former FNM council members and prominent PLP supporters. In polling done by Public Domain polling in 2014, it was found that DNA leader Branville McCartney was the most well liked Bahamian political figure. Other reasons for the post-election increase in support are attributed to the perceived weakness and political indecision of the new leader of the Official Opposition, Dr. Hubert Minnis; especially in comparison to his more polarizing predecessor. As such, it is generally understood that the DNA, for all intents and purposes, is now a major party. In 2014, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, challenged DNA leader Branville McCartney and FNM leader Hubert Minnis to a leadership debate. To date Minnis has flatly denied debate participation, with DNA leader Branville McCartney accepting the debate proposal, offering to pay for the debate venue. If Christie agrees to debate McCartney one-on-one, this will be the first formal national political debate of its kind in Bahamian history.

References

External links

• Official website

Political parties in the Bahamas
Current parties	Democratic National Alliance Free National Movement Progressive Liberal Party United Democratic Party
Defunct parties	Bahamas Democratic Movement Bahamian Democratic Party Commonwealth Democratic Party Commonwealth Labour Party Labour Party National Development Party United Bahamian Party Vanguard Nationalist and Socialist Party Workers' Party
Portal:Politics List of political parties Politics of the Bahamas