The Progressive Liberal Party once again extends its gratitude to the Bahamian people for their overwhelming support, which was manifested in our magnificent victory on the 2nd May 2002.

We recognized that the Bahamian people desired a government that was in tune with their hopes for a better Bahamas and one in which they have full participation.

The PLP remains humbled by the outward expression of support and we commit ourselves to fulfilling the longstanding hopes of every Bahamian.

The Bahamian people could not continue in their support for an administration which not only failed to place Bahamians first but insisted on policies without regard to their opinions and the  democratic processes and which put at risk the birthright of every Bahamian.

It is important too to remember that before the elections on May 2nd the people of this nation for the first time in its history went to the polls to defend the Constitution and the principle for which it stands. The Bahamian people stood firm to the principle that the people govern and the government serves.

The Referendum then stands apart as a seminal event in the political and constitutional development of The Bahamas; and it serves as a glowing symbol of the strength of our democracy and the viability of our politics.

The PLP even today celebrates the Referendum and we salute the Bahamian people for their stance to preserve the constitutional integrity of this nation.

Almost one year later, The Bahamas faces some challenging times ahead.

I know that for some people things may appear difficult in the short term. But let me say that every Bahamian have good reason to be full of pride.

The PLP Government has been working hard to retool our economy and our educational system; the Government is presently engaged in comprehensive social development and prison reform programmes; and in the Financial Services Sector the PLP Government has repositioned the industry out of the line of fire in which it was left by the previous administration.

The PLP is fulfilling its electoral mandate.

The Commissions that have been appointed in the areas of Constitutional reform, Culture, Urban renewal, Labour, Trade, the Financial Services and Health Insurance are due to report upon the completion of their broad consultation with the Bahamian people. It is the view of the PLP that the establishment of each and every one of these Commissions is a beautiful evolution of our democracy whereby the Government has demonstrated its commitment to sharing power with the people.

I can assure every Bahamian that our Leader, the Honorable Prime Minister of this Commonwealth, is committed to renewing the faith of Bahamians in government and setting in place an infrastructure to allow for the broadest possible engagement of the Bahamian populace.

We in the PLP endorse this bold and progressive approach to governance and we publicly pledge our support to work with all of the Commissions to ensure that their objectives are met with resounding success.   Thus far, a testament of this success is the report of the Prison Reform Commission and I am confident that with all of the other reports to come, the Bahamian people will be forever proud of the tremendous work and national service undertaken by the Commissions.

Almost one year after May 2nd, I am full of pride of the advancements that have been made by the PLP Government.

I am also bursting with pride as every day I meet young Bahamians who are now accepting the challenge to become entrepreneurs. I meet young people also who are at university abroad, and in our discussions, I gain a deeper sense that they are now excited about returning to their homeland and to help shape our future.

Many employees are now beginning to understand that they must be more productive in the work place. A comprehensive strategy to protect our borders and communities has been undertaken. You will have noticed throughout New Providence an increasing display of enthusiasm to remove the dilapidated eyesores in the City as a means of enhancing our local environment. Many young professionals and single parents are taking full advantage of the stamp duty exemption granted to first homebuyers.

Our objective in government is simply to restore the deep sentiment of national pride in our people. This is manifested in our new approach to governance. And, I can confirm that this PLP Government is deeply committed to the advancement of initiatives in all of these areas and beyond.

I assure you further, that these efforts and initiatives will lead to a transformation of the Bahamian society. Leading the way will be a government which wears the shields of integrity and openness, responding rapidly to changes in the local and global environment and thereby offering its people the tools and the infrastructure not only to adapt to the changes brought on by global forces, but to thrive and succeed in a society grounded in fair play and equity. This is the commitment of our Party in government and I welcome every Bahamian to join us in this great enterprise of national transformation.

I am confident that on the 2nd May many Bahamians will be proud of the first year of the PLP administration. And as the Government continues in its effort to reform and transform our nation Bahamians will forever be proud of the manner in which this Party responds to the challenges of governance. Our commitment is to the Bahamian people. We are your servants.

And as God has blessed the PLP in its first year in government, I am ever confident that He will likewise bless this Commonwealth in the years to come.