Speculation that Coalition for Democratic Reform members Phenton Neymour and Charles Maynard will be absorbed into the FNM looks like being confirmed this weekend as they bid for unification of opposition forces.
In the past, neither CDR leader Maynard nor party chairman Neymour would confirm claims that they would run as FNM candidates in the Adelaide and South Beach constituencies, saying they were not able to comment.
Now, with a press conference scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the CDR heads seem poised to put all speculation aside and publicly announce their move to the FNM, leaving many to question why the two did not follow their former party leader, Dr Bernard Nottage, when he returned to the PLP.
One source close to the CDR leaders said: “I think they got a very attractive offer from the FNM that the PLP could not offer them. They got preferred seats. They were able to choose the seats they wanted to run in, which was South Beach and Adelaide.
“With the PLP, there were so many incumbents that they would have had to go through the process and apply. They didn’t want to go through that. They wanted it to be an automatic thing, and the PLP wasn’t able to offer that to them.”
The source did not see the men’s intention to align with the FNM as opportunistic, but said their main concern was having the opportunity to run, despite the ticket.
The source said: “You may need to speak with them, but I know they just wanted to run. Why did they choose the FNM? I think it was only because of availability.”
According to former CDR member Paul Moss, the FNM’s decision to consider Neymour and Maynard for two prime seats is causing disunity in the FNM because they are meeting considerable resistance in both areas by FNMs who do not want them.
As to why the CDR is now, calling for a unification of opposition forces, Mr Moss said: “I speculate that they feel that, if they unite, they can be in a better position to defeat the PLP.”
In November last year, the CDR began to disband when its former leader, Dr Bernard Nottage, stepped down from his post after being wooed back to his party of origin, the PLP.
Although The Tribune was not able contact Dr Nottage personally for his comments, a spokesperson for him said that he had mixed emotions.
“Because Dr Nottage has grown attached to them,” the spokesperson said, “he would have preferred to see them with him, but he wishes them well.”
By MARK HUMES, The Tribune
