Says he must give his full contribution if welcomed and supported.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Alfred Sears, a noted attorney and former member of parliament for the Fort Charlotte constituency, on Monday expressed his views on whether or not he would vie to once again capture the leadership post of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) at its upcoming convention.
In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, Sears said he would throw his hat in the leadership race if he feels invited to do so.
“I’m certainly available to the community,” Sears said. “I think we as citizens have an obligation to give our full contribution, and if I am welcomed and supported, and certainly I have a contribution to make, I am available.”
The PLP’s convention is slated to begin on July 25, and all positions in the party, including those of deputy leader and chairman will become vacant.
During the party’s convention back in November 2016, Sears ran against political veteran and former prime minister Perry G. Christie, but subsequently lost.
Sears was the first to challenge Christie for the leadership, a post that Christie secured from 1997 to 2017. Nonetheless, Sears, who was first elected in 2002 and served in Christie’s cabinet as attorney general and minister of education, believes that he has what it takes to assume the role if he gets the opportunity to do so.
Apart from himself, Sears could not say who he believes has the grit and influence to lead the PLP to an election victory in 2022. He did state, however, that he supports the current leader, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.
“My philosophy is that until we come to an election within the party, we give our unqualified support to the leader who would’ve been elected and at this time, it is Mr. Davis.”
Back in October 2017, Sears expressed that the PLP is in dire need of a fundamental internal transformation in order to regain the trust of disgruntled members of the voting public.
Sears said he has since submitted a 7-page proposal for a constitutional reform of the party, which targets the restructuring of its cementing principles.
“It is intended, based on my understanding of the core values of the party, to deepen the democratic process within the party and I have circulated it, so that those ideas can inform the process with respect to constitution reform.”
