The Tribune

THE Progressive Liberal Party’s Fort Charlotte Constituency Branch has announced its support for Alfred Sears in his bid to become leader of the governing party.

Mr Sears represented the area from 2002-2012 before retiring from frontline politics. He was recently ratified as the PLP’s candidate for the area for the next general election.

“Mr Sears’ decision to seek re-election in the Fort Charlotte constituency during the next general election, was partly sparked by the expressed desire of the Fort Charlotte Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party for his return,” the branch said in a statement. “It was at this point that the branch also indicated to Mr Sears the desire for him to emerge as leader of the PLP.

“It should be noted that Mr Sears has the same right as any member of the PLP to vie for the party’s leadership. Therefore his decision to exercise this right should be embraced as an expression of the deeply rooted principle of democracy that exists within the PLP.”

According to the branch, Mr Sears has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the association and residents of the constituency by the establishment of several community based programmes and initiatives.

These include, the statement said, a Fort Charlotte Community Centre on Boyd Road; the re-engineering of the Chippingham drainage canal to solve the drainage problem which has caused hardship to the communities of Chippingham, St Alban’s Drive and Perpall Tract for over 30 years; sponsoring of the annual Fort Charlotte Arts and Craft Festival; successful lobbying for the construction of the Ardastra Gardens subdivision on Columbus Avenue, Chippingham; the implementation of a summer school and after school

programme to assist children in the Ft Charlotte community; the creation of the Ft Charlotte community band/orchestra; the construction of a tennis court, in partnership with St Michael’s Methodist Church; the purchase of musical instruments for C C Sweeting High

School; and the purchase of a bus for Eva Hilton Primary School.

“Given the above, and his impeccable character and passion for the constituency and our country at large, the branch confirms its unequivocal support and commitment to Mr Sears in his bid to return as the member of Parliament for the constituency and to become the next leader of the PLP at the party’s national general convention in November.”