|
|
|
|
Last Updated: May 21, 2017 - 10:50:55 AM |
Governor-General of The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling presents instruments of appointment to newly-appointed Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Philip Edward ‘Brave’ Davis. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
|
Nassau, Bahamas - Remarks of Philip Brave Davis MP at swearing-In As Leader Of The Opposition Government House May 19th, 2017:
Your Excellency:
As in all things I give thanks, firstly, to Almighty God for all His many blessings. I declare that I repose my faith and confidence in Him as I assume the high office that has been bestowed upon me today.
Next, I thank Your Excellency for your graciousness in appointing me the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. I am most grateful. And may I also thank you most sincerely for extending the hospitality of Government House for this swearing-in ceremony and the reception that is to follow.
I also give thanks to all my family and friends who are here to witness my swearing-in but I thank most especially my dear wife, Ann Marie, and my children. You have been an unswerving source of love, loyalty and support, and I want you to know how grateful I am.
Next, I extend thanks to the great people of Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay. It is only through their continued support of me as their Member of Parliament that I am able to stand here this morning to assume my new office as Leader of the Opposition. I will, as always, endeavor to serve them faithfully and well.
I want also to thank the members of the Progressive Liberal Party, most especially the Stalwart Councillors and other members of the National General Council, and my fellow Party Officers, for their many expressions of support following my elevation to the leadership of the Party on Monday past.
I also want to offer a very special word of appreciation to my predecessor as Leader of the PLP, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie. I had the high honor of serving as his Deputy Prime Minister until Wednesday of last week, and as Deputy Party Leader until his resignation as Party Leader on Monday.
I accept that our former leader tried his best to do the best for the Bahamian people and despite the ending of his role as leader, we remember him as a patriot and one of the great great builders of the modern Bahamas. I therefore take pride in expressing, speaking not only for myself but also on behalf of many thousands throughout our nation. Our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the tremendous service that he gave our nation for more than 40 years.
Your Excellency, Ladies & Gentlemen:
The work of shaping history is never easy, or without setbacks.
The work of building our nation – which is the work of building justice and inspiring dignity, opportunity and lasting progress for all - requires constant re-invention and innovation.
Today we find ourselves - the Party that founded an independent and modern Bahamas - at a new beginning.
Newly-appointed Leader of Her Majesty’s Royal Opposition, Hon. Philip Edward ‘Brave’ Davis speaks after being sworn in during a ceremony held at Government House on Friday, May 19, 2017. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
|
It is a time for reflection but it must be much more than that: It must be a time for reform, a time for rebuilding, a time for renewal.
Last week’s results should prompt real and thorough self-examination, and indeed, that process has already begun. It is a process we intend to undertake unflinchingly, with both humility and candor. We do so with a sense of urgency, too, because we believe that the values and mission of the Progressive Liberal Party remain essential, indispensable to our country.
We are ready to renew the promise of our Party for a new generation of activists, servants, supporters and fellow citizens. This process will begin on the ground and extend into every community throughout our country. We intend to listen closely to those who believe in the ideals upon which our Party was established, Majority Rule, a better economy and increasing Bahamian ownership of business enterprises and placement in the workforce,but also listen to those who have their own ideas about how to work for social and economic justice in these changing times. This will be a dialogue, not a monologue.
And this dialogue and collaboration will be inclusive: we will leave no one out embracing the entire Bahamian community. All Bahamians are our brothers and sisters. We intend to prove that not only with our words but through our actions.
I want to share with you how inspired I have been by the extraordinary number of people who have reached out over the last few days, eager to participate in renewing and rebuilding the PLP. I do not hear despair. On the contrary, I hear determination and excitement about moving forward on the future of our Party.
So I believe profoundly in our capacity for renewal; I know we will see in this season of change an outpouring of creativity and ingenuity from all those who feel called to be part of the journey.
While we are doing this critical work of revitalizing our Party, we will also at the same time hold the new government to account. That is a primary function and duty of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. I have every intention - as do my colleagues in the House - of proving ourselves equal to that duty from Day One and throughout our time in opposition.
As citizens and devoted patriots, we sincerely wish the new government well. Where we can find common ground with them, they will have our full support.
They should not look at our small numbers in Parliament and draw the wrong conclusions.
Let me be clear:
• We will not allow the new Government to misrepresent or distort our record of achievement in government;
• We will not acquiesce if they pursue policies or practices that hurt vulnerable Bahamians; and
• We will not stand aside should they compromise our sovereignty as a nation.
You will find, I believe, that we are quite up to challenges ahead. We will be few, but we will not be alone – we will be sustained by the example of our party’s founders, by the commitment of our representation, by the energy and optimism of a new generation of supporters, and by the substructure of the good people of The Bahamas who I believe will continue to hold all leaders of our great nation to the highest standards.
Your Excellency:
I thank you once again for the courtesies that you have so kindly extended to me, my family, and those assembled here for my swearing-in as Leader of the Opposition.
Be assured, Your Excellency, that I shall at all times endeavor as best as I can, to prove myself worthy of this high and important office in the constitutional life of our beloved nation.
May God Bless us all as we work together for a better and brighter tomorrow.
And may God continue to Bless The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
MORE:
Hon. Philip Davis Sworn In as Leader of the Opposition
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
