Determined to become a viable political organization, the Coalition for Democratic Reform, is in convention to deal with some of its internal matters and solidify the party’s hierarchy.
The party lost its only seat in the House of Assembly on May 2nd, when the Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Nottage was defeated by Progressive Liberal Party newcomer Kenyatta Gibson.
But still, party members and officers are determined to “rise.”
“After losing the way we did, we were all a little laid back and trying to figure out if we would get the kind of people to come out. But the people came out on a working day and we had about 105 people today,” said the Public Relations Officer Stephen Mitchell.
The CDR’s closed meetings got underway on Thursday under the theme “And We Shall Rise.” Dr. Nottage’s address is scheduled for Saturday evening.
Party executives had disclosed that there was to have been a potential candidate contesting the CDR’s top position. The party had received 13 nominations for the eight executive positions.
After shedding the temporary alliance it had formed with the People’s Labour Movement and the Bahamas Freedom Alliance, the CDR is now looking to do some soul searching among its members.
The Chief Operating Officer Barbara Cartwright has said that most parties in its position would have normally dissolved or fizzled out. But not so for the CDR. But, we still continue to represent the Bahamian people whether in or out of the halls of Parliament as we stand committed to our mission for the elevation of Bahamian lives and the enlargement of the Bahamas,” she said. Now CDR members hope to bring a renewed focus to the future of the political organization.
Monday’s session began with reports by party officers and dealt with proposed amendments to the party’s constitution and caucus groups.
One of the amendments extended the time frame for the holding of a convention following a general election from 100 days to 180 days.
The groups focused on the ramifications of the Bahamas becoming a partner in the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the World Trade Organization, the government’s immigration and land use policies and challenges facing the young Bahamian male.
Candidates running for executive positions were also nominated on Thursday.
On Monday, the party is scheduled to release its official position.
“We are confident that after addressing these issues and our constitutional requirements, the CDR will come out of this convention as a more focused and stronger political organization with an increasing potential to become the Government of the Bahamas,” said the party’s Chief National Training Officer Phenton Neymour.
The CDR convention wraps up on Sunday with a church service and installation luncheon.
