The comments that appeared in the Friday (1st May, 2009) edition of the Nassau Guardian under the captioned “Former MP calls Rigby ‘damaged goods’; is the end result of a failed political plot by those who are afraid to face the truth about the contents of the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner exit report (which addressed the reasons why the PLP lost the May 2007 election and made recommendations for the Party’s rebuilding).

Based on recent events, it should now be obvious to the Bahamian people that our politics still require some maturing.

I do not intend to reciprocate the attempts of character assassination and witch-hunts.

This is the time for us to demonstrate to the Bahamian people that we are a mature and responsible opposition. This work is critical if we are to be the Party of choice and be returned to the reins of governance.

Since May 2007 my attention and energy have been focused on the overall state of The Bahamas. I have been listening to the Bahamian people and I fully recognize that we must restore hope in the fast fading Bahamian dream. We have to expand our economy so that many more Bahamians share in its opportunities; we must be the party that creates a renewed sense of community; and we must herald a return to a culture of responsibility.

It is these matters, and so many others, that require the voice, imagination and commitment to work of my generation and others who are committed to the task. I am fighting for a cause that cannot be sidetracked by pettiness and childish bickering. The Bahamas of today demands for men and women who have a desire to be stewards for change, for a renewed commitment to the building of a prosperous Bahamas. This is my focus and I will not be deterred.

It is remarkable that the words of Lynden Pindling echoed on the 15th October 1973 at the PLP’s National Convention, marking the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Party, are still relevant today. He heralded the challenges that the PLP will face with the young generation of Bahamians who would grow up in a Bahamas post Majority Rule.  Sir Lynden challenged the PLP to not become a conservative party but to remain radical in its zeal. He admonished us to find new causes to triumph, all in the effort of reaching out to the young voter who would take successes of the Quiet Revolution as a natural part of our landscape. Sir Lynden was absolutely correct in his assessment and his warning.

I will continue to hold true to my beliefs. It may well be that the Party will continue to use its energies to hurl more criticism and condemnation at me.  But, this is not where the PLP should put its energies, there is work ahead, and our political movement is in need of a rebirth, of reinvention.  We must do this to remain relevant and in a position to lead. That is where we must place our energies.  Burying our heads in the proverbial sand is not the solution, criticizing those who seek to move us closer to that renewal is not the answer.

I remain confident that the Bahamian people are desirous for the PLP to address the issues facing the nation and to demonstrate that it remains ready and able to govern the affairs of The Bahamas. I will continue to do my part to ensure that the Party does not disappoint the hopes and dreams of the Bahamian people.

The Leader of the PLP knows my views as I have shared them with him. While he may not concur with my views of the Party leadership it is without doubt a fact that the (recent) views I expressed (as appeared in the 21st April edition of the Nassau Guardian) have been voiced by me at different levels in the movement and in the past.  I anticipate that the Party Leader himself will reveal, if he is so minded, the nature of my observations and the prescriptions that I offered in addressing some of the challenges that we face as a Party.

As a former National Chairman, I have a vested interest in the future of my Party and my country. I continue to be a member in good standing and will do all in my power to ensure that the PLP is a strong and vibrant political movement. I am confident that the future of the PLP will be bright once we demonstrate a resolve to address the challenges that we face. We owe this to our forefathers and foremothers and to the future generations of Bahamians who are depending on us to be a part of the team which will secure their futures. They can count on me; I will not disappoint them.