In the essay that I wrote in 2000 shortly after the death of the late Sir Lynden O. Pindling nine years ago, I recalled how my early interest in politics was piqued by John Kennedy, the American President, who challenged his own citizens on the day of his inauguration: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!”

Today, I tell you frankly that I believe that his statement was the clarion call to public service for me. I was 6 years old at the time the speech was given.

My education; in The Bahamas was in the liberal democratic tradition of the United States: first by Benedictine monks from the US Midwest; then in the liberal academic halls of the US northeast at Antioch; then including the late U.S. President’s alma mater, Harvard; and finally in the United Kingdom.

Throughout it all, the constant theme has been the call to public service.

My supporting the efforts of Philip Brave Davis is in pursuance of that further call to public service.
 

I recalled in Grand Bahama last week at a gathering similar to this that I had launched on Facebook in January 2009 what I called an agenda for change.

I said that I support anyone who will promote the ideas on that agenda for change.

I note in passing the formal entry of our Parliamentary colleague Obie Wilchombe into the race for Deputy Leader.  You will note also that he has talked about transition and about change.  So at least we all agree on the same theme.  There must be change.
 

The elements of the ‘Agenda For Change’ are not important this evening, save and except that it seeks to define the way forward; what Raynard Rigby has called the blueprint for the Vision 2020.

Will The Bahamas be a developed country by the year 2020?  In order to do so, we have to meet certain markers in our economic development.

But our political development is equally important, and we in this generation cannot wait any longer.  All of those who have declared for the deputy leadership of this party, except one (and he is almost there) are in their fifties.

For us there is no time like the present.  We cannot wait any longer to cause the structural changes to take place that will equip the party for the decades to come.  I say to those who argue hold on a little longer: “If not now, when?”  I say again, there is no time like the present.

A modern, restructured political party that meets the exigencies of a modern Bahamas is what the PLP must be.  It must not be a better FNM but a better PLP.

The leaders of the party will have to meld the justifiable demands of our base with the aspirations of the independent voters that we need to win.  Whichever party happens upon that combination will win the general election.

Mr. Davis has the right idea.  He started out this journey by polling, in other words, checking with the use of empirical data to see what the message is, to test it and to test his support.  He is framing the campaign at the ideas for the future, at restructuring and most importantly that word change.

These days, I see myself as the cheerleader-in-chief, encouraging PLPs that it is going to be all right even though we have to change.

Our party must at its convention continue to represent the country as a whole in its demographics, in gender, in age and in race and social status.

We have to change.  Change is not going to be easy.  There will be fights and disagreements.  Harsh words may be exchanged.  Bitter words and feelings may well up.  Emotions may reach a boil.  In the end, though, there will be peace.

We will have new direction in leadership and Hubert Ingraham and the FNM will be defeated.

I thank Mr. Davis for allowing me to be here this evening and wish him every success.

I thank your representative for his accommodating me this evening and I wish you every success and urge you to support Philip Brave Davis and his campaign for change.