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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamian Politics
Nassau, Bahamas – Alfred M. Sears, Queens Counsel, PLP Candidate for Fort Charlotte, accompanied by his wife Marion, took his “listening tour” to Abaco this weekend and the visit was a resounding success. The people with whom he met were excited about Sears’ bid for the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and welcomed him warmly, embracing his change agenda and assuring him of their support. “This tour afforded me the opportunity to engage with Stalwart councilors, Branch members, residents and Local Government officials, listen to their concerns and allow them to inform the Vision for Our Revolution for Abaco,” Sears said.
The “listening tour” took Sears from North to South Abaco, along with branch executives and others who wanted to hear about Sears’ revolution, and his plans to engage and mobilize the base of the PLP. Stalwarts expressed a concern about a lack of sustained engagement other than at election time and the need to ensure that the constitutional structure of the party is operational. There is an undeniable sentiment that more respect should be shown for the role of Stalwarts to the party. Sears shared, “A Vision for Our Revolution seeks to diversify our economy in an effort to effectively expand our country’s revenue base. In doing this, it is imperative that specific focus be placed on the ongoing development of Abaco.” In addition, sharing for their consideration and response, specific plans for Abaco and its resources, Sears also spoke much about his plans for the party. He asserted that it is time to rebuild, rebrand and restore the Progressive Liberal Party. “I also propose that the link between our Party and its Stalwart Councilors and Branches be strengthened, through more regular communication and activities, monitoring and regular financial accounting. More specifically, the party’s leadership should undertake to meet with Stalwart Councilors on the various islands at least once per year to listen to their concerns,” he said.
He insisted that a restored PLP should be model democratic governance and offer a platform, guided by its core values of Bahamians, through private-public partnerships, for sustained development. Sears recalled the enthusiastic reception. As the accompanying photographs illustrates, I had a chance to meet and speak with so many enthusiastic, nationalistic people about “Our Revolution,” and they encouraged me to fight the good fight. Sears said he is committed to a Bahamian society with a revitalized national culture, based on spiritual values, good governance, a strong civil society, community service, tolerance, respect for human rights, a sustainable diversified economy, Bahamian entrepreneurship, with limited and transparent government.
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