Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Derek Carey, Progressive Young Liberals Chairman:

The Progressive Young Liberals along with its members play a pivotal and critical role in our party; and Whereas, the PYL encourages its members to carry out their responsibilities of representing the rights and interests of young people helping them to participate in decisions that affect them. In my capacity as Chairman, I would like to endorse a candidate who appeals to the hopes of so many young Bahamians who still believes in the fundamental philosophy of the Progressive Liberal Party of providing a ladder of economic and social hope to all Bahamians. Latrae Rahming is a proven leader who shares our values, is supported by our members, and is prepared to advocate and promote the well-being of young Bahamians.

As Chairman, I have no difficulty in supporting a candidate who inspires young people and summon our hopes and renew our belief that our party's best days are still to come. Latrae has been a powerful advocate for economic and social justice of young Bahamians. He has been in the forefront on issues ranging from immigration to economic inequality and the unequal distribution of wealth in The Bahamas. There's no doubt that as a candidate he has exceptional gifts of leadership, vision and character, matched to the required demands needed to secure an election victory in 2017. He will be Vice Chairman with courage and bold vision, a keen insight and understanding as to where the party should go, and has the power and reach to bring young Bahamians to support the party's mission.He is a fighter who cares both deeply and passionately about the causes he believes in.

Latrae has demonstrated his capabilities as an entrepreneur at the age of 21 with companies in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. His tireless efforts and studies at one of China's top Economic and Finance university has enabled his talents to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance our party, and strengthen our democracy. Our party needs the intellectual heft of young Bahamians to solve our tough economic and social problems. We need your fresh ideas and new thinking. There's no uncertainty of the kind of effectiveness that he will fashion into our party becoming a new national leader.

My decision is based solely on who can better assist in leading the party at this time. Latrae is better positioned to help navigate the Progressive Liberal Party to its success in 2017.It is without ambivalence that I endorse Latrae Rahming for Vice Chairman. There's growing admiration for Mr.Rahming for the impressive qualities he has shown during this time as Vice Chairman of PYL and after. As anyone who knows Mr.Rahming can tell, he also has a sophisticated understanding of the Bahamas and Progressive Liberal Party place in it. He has a temperament, unlike anything I've seen in national politics in many years. He is deliberate in decision-making being eloquent always in his delivery. I think he is the right man for this moment.