Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press: Good morning and thank you for coming. I have called you here today to announce that after careful and considered deliberations, I have joined the Progressive Liberal Party, and am now a card carrying member!

I have no doubt that many will question the wisdom in my decision to join the PLP at this time in its history. After all, the country has just come off general elections, which, on the face of it, the PLP seems to have lost. But, apart from the fact that the results show that the popular vote is still with the PLP, I believe that this is exactly the time for me to join. The Progressive Liberal Party is at the stage where it must regroup and rebuild. And, as in any works of renovations, while you keep the foundation and much of the old structure, you must also use new materials to shore up that which is left; so too must the PLP forge ahead, keeping all that is good and solid, while identifying, embracing and utilizing new talents with which to build.

I am fully persuaded that I have much to contribute to the Party’s rebuilding process, and that is why I have made this move. For me, now is a perfect time – an exciting time to be PLP.

Now I said at the outset that I gave this matter careful and deliberate thought before arriving at my decision, and let me hasten to say that such deliberation had nothing to do with which party I would side with, because for me, the choice was clear.

The PLP has always demonstrated that it is the party that not only best represents the interest of the grassroots Bahamians, or the less fortunate Bahamian, but it is a party committed to the empowerment of all Bahamians. The many national social initiatives and programmes enacted by them over the years show that they are indeed the party with vision, innovation and heart. Under successive PLP governments, the country has grown and progressed.  There is still some ways to go, and I truly believe that the PLP is still the best vehicle to take us there.

Today, the Bahamas is faced with many pressures, both from within and out. Issues like globalization, for example, continue to press us and will have to be dealt with.  How we respond to these issues will determine what kind of country we leave for our children. I am willing to entrust my country to the PLP, and am willing to do my part to ensure their success.

So, the choice of which party to join was abundantly clear. My concern has been the fact that I am unwilling to compromise the ideals I have always upheld and for which I have always fought. I have spoken on behalf of the Bahamian people and only then, on matters of national importance. Consequently, I have agonized over whether it may be perceived that by aligning myself with a political party, I lose my ability to be objective. Obviously I am no longer conflicted, but am willing to take the chance of being misunderstood by a few, in the sure conviction that my performance in the months and years to come, will nullify any such fears.

Today I give my word to the Bahamian public that wherever my journey on this political road takes me, the interests and the concerns of my country will always come first.

Further, I know that there are many other young, talented Bahamians, who have much to offer our country. I wish to speak directly to them: Party Leader Perry Christie often refers to himself as the “bridge to the future;” you are that future. We are that future. We are the men and women of substance who must step up and assume our roles as nation builders. I encourage and invite you to join me and to join with the Progressive Liberal Party to continue the fight to make The Bahamas a country of which we can all be proud. We have a country to build, and we need all hands on deck.

As for me, over the next weeks and months I plan to make myself available to the party, and to offer to the cause whatever expertise and experience I have. You will no doubt hear from me again, as together with my Party, I explore where and how I may best serve.