The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears said yesterday he is using the Progressive Liberal Party’s decision to delay its convention as an opportunity to raise “much needed funds” for his leadership campaign.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Sears said while his crusade has been doing “extremely well” so far, he needs more money to reach stalwarts in the Family Islands.

Mr Sears did not reveal how much money was needed but said: “I’m sure you can imagine, it is not a small amount.”

The PLP’s Fort Charlotte candidate had his first major fund-raiser last night at Jacaranda House.

“I’m going from trip to trip and island to island trying to spread my message,” Mr Sears said. “That costs money. I am asking for support to enable me to go to the Family Islands and meet with stalwarts. The response I have been getting has been excellent, everything is going really well, but I need the support to reach a base not in New Providence.”

The PLP’s National General Council voted last month to postpone the party’s convention until January or February of next year due to the damage several islands sustained in Hurricane Matthew.

A January or February convention would coincide with the time frame in which the PLP is expected to ramp up its campaign for the 2017 general election.

So far, only Mr Sears has announced his intention to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for the party’s top post.

The convention will be the first the PLP has held since 2009, although the party’s constitution mandates that such an event be held every year.

After a listening tour in Abaco in September, Mr Sears said he was “more than confident” he will defeat Mr Christie and emerge leader of the PLP.

At the time, Mr Sears said that after meeting with stalwarts and branch executives his support has grown exponentially and he has been assured that he will be the next leader of the PLP and the country’s next prime minister.