These are times in our beloved Bahamas when citizens are called upon to examine carefully the qualities and attributes of those who would propose to lead and to manage the affairs of this nation. Each citizen, especially those who go to the polls and contribute to those awesome decisions- needs, where necessary, to speak up.

Five hundred and seventeen years ago the rediscovery of this chain of Islands, Cays, Rocks and Shoals proclaimed the birth of the New World.

We Bahamians, the proud inheritors of this land, affirm our devotion to a Bahamas in which all citizens may play a significant role in national life and that through discipline, industry, faithfulness, and unity we build a Country worthy of its place in history.

It is my strong belief that the Progressive Liberal Party is the best National Institution to bring about the aforementioned. It is, therefore, crucial that Convention 2009 focuses on issues that are important to the people and their well-being and not about anybody’s ego trip. Principally among these issues are:

• Quality health care through National Health Insurance;
• Full support for the Security Forces in minimizing crime;
• Strengthening the Courts in terms of personnel and facilities;
• Raising the national results in education and giving financial support for scholarship programmes;
• Introducing an effective, meaningful and achievable programme of motivation and empowerment of the youth of the Country, preparing them for important participation in the affairs of national life; and,
• Building a strong economy. Attracting investments that generate national wealth. Making economic empowerment of Bahamians the linchpin of the Party’s economic policy.

To achieve these things and to respond to the mandate of its’ Founding Fathers, the Party must emerge from this Convention united, having commenced the process of preparing to face and win the next general election. Essential to electoral victory, the Party must embrace at all levels the respectful and meaningful participation of young people in the affairs of the Party.

It is well known that I support Perry G. Christie being re-elected as Leader. I do so because I firmly believe that Perry Christie is a man of high intellect and values. He is compassionate and has strong emotion about the welfare of all Bahamians. I share his vision of a majestic Bahamas.

I have waited until now to decide who I would endorse for Deputy Leader. I wanted to see who would enter the field. Of those that have, I have concluded that the Leader would greatly benefit from Philip Davis as his Deputy. Philip Davis is intelligent and trustworthy. He is strong in his conviction. He is a unifier and a hard worker.

Importantly, he is a man who makes careful and intelligent decisions. In fact, one of his most outstanding traits is that he is firm and decisive once he is convinced the course is right.

His word is his bond. Philip Davis would complement the Leader to the Party’s favour.

Coming out of the Convention, two of the very early and important goals the Leader and his Deputy must address are: - Motivate the present Parliamentary Members to perform at a level worthy of their constituents, the Bahamian people and those we welcome to our shore; and, Guiding the National General Council of the Party in identifying and selecting a slate of candidates for the General Elections.

The applicants for nomination as candidates in the great mix should possess the following qualities, abilities and characteristics:-

• Education, formal or otherwise;
• Good and sound judgment;
• Energy;
• Common sense;
• Honesty;
• Integrity;
• Humility;
• Be personable;
• A vision of the way forward and the capacity to articulate it so  that people buy into it;
• The ability to inspire people to pursue noble goals;
• The manner to bridge the generational gap;
• The good manners to show respect to those of our citizenry who are  aged and infirmed;
• The art to inspire the young to dream greatly and to boldly face the future;
• The heart to sympathize with the least among us;
• A reasonable understanding of the world along with a great knowledge of The Bahamas and the capacity to discuss both;
• The possession of the necessary shrewdness to avoid being the cause of unnecessary disappointment to others;
•  The ability to understand the value of treating people with respect;  and,
• Commitment – the stamina to stay the course.

These are hard and serious times. The Bahamas deserves the most eminent and brightest of its daughters and sons to come to the fore.

The Progressive Liberal Party, born out of the deprivations, hopes, dreams and prayers of the ordinary Bahamian, must heed the challenges. If the Party fails to do so it will reap condemnation. If it meets the summons to action in strength, courage, and with the resolute will to do the best for the people, it will succeed.

This year is an extremely critical one for the Progressive Liberal Party and, by extension, for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and so it is imperative that what we do and what we say at the convention translates into an important difference, an important change in the direction and in the political fortunes of the Party. I believe that Brave Davis represents that important difference, change, and direction.

At the Convention next week, may God guide our deliberations and may He bless us in service to our Homeland.