The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party is poised to become the next government of The Bahamas, according to leader Perry Christie as his entire slate of candidates were officially nominated yesterday. Touting his record as one of the longest serving members of parliament with vast ministerial experience, Mr Christie said he was "personally equipped" to lead the recovery of the nation. "When I started in 1977, I walked through the streets and every family knew me," he said. "It was like David and Goliath when I went up against Sir Orville Turnquest. I've always had the local boy image, down-to-earth boy from the streets of the Valley." Mr Christie said: "At this stage, I'm really equipped to understand the challenges, especially the incredible debt challenge. "Going into this the country is comfortable and comforted by the fact that I'm going to be in charge looking forward." Mr Christie said his party has been quietly monitoring traditional FNM seats like Montagu and North Abaco, which are expected to come under siege in the upcoming elections. He said: "We will win all, win all. Surprisingly, seats known to be FNM strongholds are under siege. We are confident these seats will fall, we're quiet about it, but they will fall." Mr Christie said the steady rise in supporters is the product of a "good team and a good message." Mr Christie charged that the party's support base will continue to grow by 5,000 people each week in the run up to the general election. He added that there are 1,000 persons actively campaigning everyday. Hitting out at the levels of crime and unemployment, he underscored the party's readiness to govern at his official nomination for the Centreville seat yesterday. "When (PLP) win, within hours, the decision to relaunch Urban Renewal will be done," he said. "Last year, we released a crime package, and a package on job creation. Unemployment is an incubator for crime. Our plan is aggressive, comprehensive and on message. We have been preparing for governance."