Dear Editor,
Before former Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) Leader Cassius Stuart had dissolved his political organization and joined up with the Free National Movement (FNM) in early 2011, he was a political firebrand who always made it a point to voice his opinion on what was happening in the country. I think that is healthy for any thriving democracy. But now that he is in the bosom of the FNM, it seems as if he has fallen off the edge of planet Earth.
Ever since he made headlines concerning his intention to run for the deputy leadership post of the opposition party in May, I haven't heard much from him in recent times. For some reason or another, he decided to pull out of that race. He had told the press that he can make the FNM sexy and more attractive to female voters. In all likelihood that was another one of Stuart's publicity stunts. What is he up to nowadays? Why isn't he making his usual rounds on the radio talk shows the way he used to before he became an FNM?
The BDM was introduced to the Bahamian public in 2000 after being formed in 1998 by Stuart, Omar Smith and others. The fringe political party gained widespread publicity after Stuart and Smith handcuffed themselves to the speaker's mace in 2001. The two had accused the then Ingraham administration of gerrymandering. In another publicity stunt that was carried out by him in 2005, the former BDM leader attempted to prevent Prime Minister Perry Christie from entering Parliament. Stuart and his party contested, without success, the 2002 and 2007 general elections. He also ran in the 2010 Elizabeth by-election. Of the 3,019 Bahamians who voted in that by-election, Stuart was only able to capture some 68 votes. He came in third place behind the Free National Movement's (FNM) Dr. Duane Sands and the Progressive Liberal Party's (PLP) Ryan Pinder.
Despite his poor performance in that contest, we must keep in mind that Rollins' party was the new kid on the block. Few expected him to win. Conversely, many were of the view that Stuart should have done better, considering the fact that his party had up until that point been in existence for well over 10 years. Obviously it became apparent to Stuart and his party supporters that they had failed to resonate with the Bahamian electorate after more than 10 years. His decision to join the FNM was an understandable one.
Despite the things he had said about former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in the press, I was glad that he had joined the FNM for the simple reason that the FNM needs fresh, new faces. Believe it or not, Stuart is one of the most seasoned politicians in the country, considering the fact that many of those who are presently members of Parliament are political novices. I believe Stuart has more experience than even the present FNM leader. Remember, Stuart led the BDM for over 10 years. Despite his experience in politics, though, I knew that it would have been extremely difficult for him to succeed in Bamboo Town. He had to contend with two formidable candidates in Branville McCartney, the then member of Parliament for Bamboo Town and current leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), and Renward Wells of the PLP, a former member of the National Democratic Party (NDP). As providence would have it, Stuart suffered yet another crushing defeat at the polls despite being a candidate of one of the mainstream parties. I felt badly after learning that Stuart had lost on May 7. That was his fourth consecutive loss. But I don't believe he should even consider throwing in the towel.
Had Stuart not pulled out of the deputy leadership race and had managed to win, that would have obviously raised his political profile in the eyes of the Bahamian electorate. With the current chairman vacancy in the FNM due to the untimely passing of Charles Maynard, maybe the former BDM leader should give serious consideration to throwing his hat into the ring for that important post. The FNM already has two deputy chairmen, Dr. Sands and Darron Cash. But I don't believe the two can resonate with blue collar voters. I seriously doubt that the two can campaign at the grassroots level, with all due respect. I believe Stuart can do just that.
The FNM must start appealing to blue collar workers and struggling single mothers if it wants to stop going into these elections as the underdog. However real or imagined, many grassroots voters in the Over-the-Hill areas of Nassau view the FNM as an aristocratic party filled with uppity middleclass and millionaire voters who live behind gated communities. I recall hearing the late FNM chairman bemoaning the fact that he could not wrap his mind around the Bahamian electorate. He could not understand why the FNM lost so badly, when you consider all that the Ingraham administration had done for the country. I think the answer lies in the fact that many poor black Bahamians believe that the FNM is only into rich white people and foreigners.
Clearly this distorted perception must change. Otherwise the opposition will revert to its losing ways of the 1970s and 1980s. It is most unfortunate that many grassroots voters think this way about the FNM, but that is the reality of the situation.
Now that the May 7 general election is history, the FNM must learn from its mistake and start showcasing its grassroots politicians like Stuart if it hopes to win back the support of these voters. Stuart is articulate, bold, energetic, charismatic and most importantly, he is a grassroots politician who can appeal to poor black voters. I think the FNM should consider using him more. He is a great asset to that party.
Kevin Evans

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