The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

In 1997, Sir Lynden Pindling retired as Progressive Liberal Party leader having held the post for four decades. He was 67.

Sir Lynden had just lost his second general election to Hubert Ingraham and the PLP. PLPs knew Sir Lynden would not win that race, but he was the father of the party. He had won general elections for 25 straight years. Who could fault him one last try?

Sir Lynden left at 67. Perry Christie is now 72 and he does not want to leave frontline politics. Mr Christie has been in public life for 40 years. He has held nearly every office a politician could hold, from senator to prime minister twice. If the general election takes place in 2017 the prime minister would be 74.

Mr Christie does not want to leave the PLP leadership. He has led the party for 18 years. He is now five years older than Sir Lynden was when he retired and Mr Christie still wants to stay on as PLP leader and prime minister.

Mr Christie said before the last election that he would go before the end of this term. That would give others in the party a chance. Philip Davis, Fred Mitchell, Obie Wilchcombe, Alfred Sears, Jerome Fitzgerald and Raynard Rigby are all PLPs who have leadership ambitions. This PLP convention in November should be about the party selecting its next leader who can set the stage for the party’s next victory at the polls.

Instead, Mr Christie is fighting to stay longer. How much more does he want from the PLP? How much more does he want from the country? Does he want to stay until he dies? He has already stayed to an older age than even Sir Lynden as PLP leader.

PLPs still love their leader. They do not want to see him harmed or diminished. But the country is ready for change, a new face at the helm. Stalwarts must send the message to Mr Christie that he should go with dignity. Mr Christie should step down and let that mix of new and experienced PLPs fight to be the next party leader.

The Holy Bible in Ecclesiastes says there is a time for every purpose under heaven. Now is the time for Mr Christie to retire and to spend time with his family. He should not be allowed to linger.

There is more to life than politics and power. Mr Christie has made his contribution. He should now move on to the retired life of a statesman. Now is the time for change in the PLP.

MARTHA S GREENE

Nassau,

September 16 2015.