Dear Editor,

Please allow me space to write to make one final plea to the leadership of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and, by extension, the Free National Movement (FNM). I hope that this last-ditch effort will grab their attention and really move them to let common sense prevail and do what is in the best interest of The Bahamas and their parties.
For months, talks of a coalition between opposition forces to rid The Bahamas of the leadership of Perry Christie have been rumored. These rumors were put to bed last week when FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis and DNA Leader Branville McCartney confirmed the discussions when they got caught up in a war of words.
The talks seemed to hit a snag, and with months before the next general election, this inaction by Minnis and McCartney appears to give the PLP a very probable chance of retaining the government.
What is so unfortunate is, if they would, for a split second put away their personal ambitions for the best of the country, they would see just how easy they as a team could defeat the PLP. But alas, they both seem unable to get their heads out the sand (or somewhere else) to do what is best for our country.
To me, and many others, this is an easy decision for both parties: unite and defeat a PLP administration with a growing list of failures, or remain divided and be defeated by split votes.
If the results of the 2012 elections are any indication, every 10 votes in the 2017 elections will be split: four for the PLP; three for the FNM; two for the DNA; and one for the UDP/other. It's simple math to me: three plus two is greater than four.
The position that the DNA finds itself in is simple. As it presently stands, the chances of it winning the government are slim to none. Picking up a few seats, however, is possible, but still a long shot. The DNA simply cannot defeat the FNM and PLP in a three-way race.
Can they convince at least 40 percent of voters in at least 20 constituencies to vote DNA so that they can form the next government? The realistic answer? Regrettably no.
But the DNA is in a position to give some of its candidates a better chance to win their seats if they can form this coalition with the FNM.
The DNA leader and deputy leader are in the fight of their lives in three - possibly four or five - man races in Bamboo Town and Sea Breeze.
But a two-man race, on the other hand, versus the PLP would give them and other DNA candidates a better chance, and so to give the Bahamian people a better chance to finally rid ourselves of the inept leadership of Perry Gladstone Christie.
With sitting MPs, the DNA would have a national voice in the House of Assembly to address the plight of the Bahamian people that this PLP administration has abandoned.
DNA MPs would then be in a position to finally give this country the good governance it desperately needs to fix the fiscal mess we're in and really look into a renewable energy plan.
DNA ministers sitting around the Cabinet table can help change the current direction of this country, ensure improvements to our education system and come up with real solutions to our crime problem.
My final plea to the leadership of the DNA is to stop wasting time; stop being egotistical and get a deal done.
Get your strongest candidates and tell the FNM, we are willing to work along with you for a better Bahamas.
In addition to your candidates, give the FNM a list of demands, the fundamental changes that the DNA has been agitating for from day one like a fixed date for elections, a proper FOIA and a truly independent boundaries commission. Get assurances from the FNM that, within the first year of forming the next government, our list of demands will be met.
If the DNA and FNM are true in wanting to rid the Bahamian people of the governance of the PLP, then working together seems to be the only logical solution.
The alternative to working together is five more years of a Perry Christie-led PLP. The choice is yours.

- Disappointed DNA supporter

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