The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

LAWYER Fred Smith, QC, said yesterday that former Attorney General Alfred Sears is not only the best man to lead the Progressive Liberal Party but also the best person to run the country.

Officially endorsing Mr Sears, Mr Smith said the former Fort Charlotte MP is “above all a statesman” and will bring a different “complexion” to party politics if he were at the helm of the PLP.

On Sunday, Mr Sears announced his intention to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for the leadership of the PLP at the governing party’s national convention in November. Mr Christie has been leader of the PLP for nearly 20 years.

Mr Smith said it is time for “new blood and bold new ideas.”

“The PLP needs new leadership. I would describe politics here as island tribalism and Alfred Sears does not fit the mould of being that type of leader,” Mr Smith said.

“He is a man of refinement. I know from his tenure as a Cabinet minister and other positions he has held in the past, that he is a person who is very reflective and very compassionate. He also has a vision that would transcend party politics. I know he believes in human rights and fundamental freedoms. He would be an excellent choice.”

Mr Smith also said he hopes both the Free National Movement and the PLP mature and develop into institutions that promote new ideas and not “vindictiveness”.

“I hope the PLP’s leadership race does not descend to the level of cannibalism that the FNM party did,” he said.

“The FNMs have fought among themselves more than they have fought the PLP and that does not bode well for the future of the Bahamas. They need to get their act together. I hope they stop the infighting so they can give the citizens a respectable choice for potential leader.”

In April, Mr Smith revealed to Tribune columnist Adrian Gibson that he was looking to campaign in the Fox Hill constituency either with the FNM or as an independent - citing an alleged high level of corruption within the PLP and the dismal performance of the FNM as the Official Opposition.

However, he later told The Tribune that he was considering joining the PLP because he has been repeatedly rejected by the FNM despite his consistent support of the party.