The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

NASSAU Village MP Dion Smith yesterday endorsed Prime Minister Christie for leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, insisting that him remaining in power would be in the “best interest of the party” going into the 2017 general election.

Mr Smith referred to the “keen insight and focus” shown by Mr Christie as he steered the country out of “treacherous waters” as the reason he was backing the “old generational leader” over challenger Alfred Sears.

“I have learned a lot from him over the past four years and I have concluded that it is in the best interest of the party at this time for him to lead us into the next general election,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Mr Smith is one of the “new generation” leaders touted by the PLP ahead of the 2012 general election. He said although “Mr Christie may have made some mistakes or may have made some unpopular decisions” he is committed to serving under his leadership.

When asked to elaborate, Mr Smith insisted that in some sectors, decisions made by Mr Christie have been met with contempt.

He used Mr Christie’s decision to limit the amount of power given to him in his various capacities and also suggested that Mr Christie may have been slow to act on matters.

However, the Nassau Village MP defended the prime minister and his wisdom.

“I just wanted to say that we may think differently, so in my young and vibrant way of thinking, he may be a bit more reserved and that may be a mistake in some regards,” Mr Smith said. “Maybe me as a young person, I may do something right away whereas, because of (Mr Christie’s) experience he may have taken a little while longer to come to his decision. But I have realised that sometimes, you know, it is better to be cautious out of an abundance of caution I should say.”

He continued: “In saying that, I realise that in the beginning I may have been eager. I was cracking a joke when I said (Mr Christie) maybe made a mistake not giving me more power. But, initially I was quite eager (when I entered politics). I wanted to go full force ahead, but I realise with politics, you have to have a steady hand. You have to be seasoned somewhat. And also, you have to be tried and tested.

“I think that in this period that I went through, I demonstrated my ability. Whenever they called on me I think I showed up and I showed up well. So I think you have to be tried and tested,” he added.

Addressing Mr Sears’ intent to challenge Mr Christie, Mr Smith reiterated sentiments expressed by Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald who earlier this month said the former MP would find it difficult to rally support among sitting PLP parliamentarians.

“I would think that somebody who was a member of Parliament, or perhaps in Parliament would perhaps, have a better chance of leading the body of MPs who are presently in Parliament. So, I don’t have much to say about his chances even though I don’t like to be too pessimistic, that is as much as I would say there,” Mr Smith said.

“I think that perhaps if I was running for leadership of the party, maybe I would have gotten more support; especially from the members that I sit with.”

However, Mr Smith said he would not object to serving under Mr Sears if he won the party’s top post in November.

“If he was to win, that would mean that the democracy of the party was working well. He would have been properly elected and I would have no difficulty if at the time, the majority of the party decided to go with Mr Sears, then I would have to go with the majority of the party because as a statesman - I call myself - I do what is in the best interest of the party. In other words, service over self.”

Mr Smith said he has had the opportunity to go over the platform being put forward by Mr Sears, stating that there are some elements that he agrees with.

Despite that fact, Mr Smith maintained that his support for Mr Christie will not waiver.