It is amazing how it is just the beginning night of the FNM Convention and the CRAP has already started.  A few days ago Mr. Ivoine Ingraham announced his wish to contend for the chairmanship of the governing party and tonight with a depressed smile he says he withdrew.  HMMMM.  The Party began its convention with a youth centric night filled with excitement but lacked promise.  The evening began with a presentation by a beautiful young lady, a recent university graduate who spoke only of herself and her ‘Sunday school’ lessons but addressed no way in which the party intends to include young people or young women.

It was a speech that spoke nothing to the plight of young Bahamians, that made no suggestions on how they feel the government can move forward to positively affect the development of the country for the future.  Is this what the future the FNM has to offer?  The second young face and we would assume the new poster boy of the FNM made a presentation that clearly wasn’t the result of careful and accurate research.  The delivery was riveting and filled with excitement but lacked any real value, yes I thank god for May 2, 2007 because it proves to the Bahamian people once again what a real failed plan the FNM has to offer.

The new poster boy did nothing to talk about youth issues but delivered to the young people of our country a bowl of rhetoric.  The highlight of this all was topped off when the National President of The FNM Torchbearers “Mr. BAM BAM BAM” addressed the convention with a speech that disseminated fallacies and we thank you for your recognition of the PYL, Mr. President.

Are you really an effective block within your party?  Are you the real voice of the youth?  What should your leader gather from your talk of nothingness?  What is the excuse this time?  The people of the Bahamas were tuned to hear what you had to say to the youth but they got NOTHING.  Was it you that or did Daddy tell you “Put your finger on your LIPS and sit to the back of the class”?  If that is how the youth are treated in your party, and if that is what your youth have to offer then your future doesn’t seem bright.

Is there a second part to your speech or did we just miss something?  No substance, no issues, no value, no truth, no facts and you dare speak of who the PLP hasn't run young people in an election.  We had numerous former Young Liberals make it either to parliament or government office.  Among them are Trevor Whylly, Paulette Zonicle, Melanie Griffin, and Allyson Maynard-Gibson just to name a few.  We doubt the FNM would be running you anytime soon either Hon. Mr. President.  You Could Not Possibly Be the best there was to Offer.  We are eagerly awaiting part two of your speech.  Oh wait, it was discovered that your own party cut your speech.  How this is fair that the Youth Leader is not considered a heavy hitter by his own party.  And you say that the FNM is the Party for youth?  I beg to differ sir.

The Torchbearers unceasingly attacked the Progressive Liberal Party, for its lack of inclusion of the Youth at its convention.  They even went on to say stupidly that they understand the frustrations of the Progressive Young Liberals and that they see why we the Progressive Young Liberals asked for more inclusion.  When looking in retrospect at the PLP convention the PLP did a wonderful job of celebrating its youth, every night there was at least two speakers under the age of 35.

The Progressive Young Liberals chairman agitated for the need to address issues that relates to young people, such as crime, education and immigration to name a few.  The PLP again made itself relevant to the times by making the Progressive Young Liberals the most powerful branch within the organization.  The Progressive Young Liberals now has a caucus replicate of 82 voices, while the Torchbearers are still stuck on 10.  We invite the Torchbearers to search within their party for that same respect.

Further in angering the Youth of the PLP, The Minister for National Security Hon. Tommy T. Turnquest has the audacity to stand on national T.V. and tell the Bahamian public his comprehensive plan to fight and prevent crime is through the introduction of electronic tag monitoring of offenders and closed circuit TV (CCTV).  Again Bahamas wow, both of these measures are reactive to crime.  Where are the prevention measures to the vexing crime problem?  This is what the FNM has to offer our country after two and half years of governance it is a true slap in the face.  This is in sharp contrast to PLP crime prevention policies such as urban renewal.

So the first night of the FNM convention has come to a close, leaving us, the youth still answerless.  If this was supposed to be the beginning of an epic race, they have come out of the blocks stumbling and very ill prepared, losing the race from the firing of the gun!  Obviously what was supposed to be the youth oriented night was nothing more than unsubstantial, insignificant, un-impacting, hollow, RHETORIC!!  The intention and passion for youth of the nation was NOT evident in ANY of the presentations tonight.

IS THIS THE VERY BEST THE FNM HAS TO OFFER THE YOUTH?

Sadly, the biggest disappointment of the evening as it relates to the youth of this great nation, hands down was the haunting reality that there was no PLAN OR PLATFORM as it relates to the issues of juvenile crime, tertiary level education, and employment opportunities for the younger workforce.  With this in mind we call on the President of the Torchbearers to do the right thing and resign his post as President as he did not present the issues of the Youth of our nation.  Maybe the new poster & rhetoric boy can effectively lead the charge of being a youth voice within the FNM.

To the youth of our country you deserve better, demand better and the Progressive Young Liberals will continue to advocate on your behalf.