The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Attorney General Alfred Sears said he plans to resume his leadership campaign for the Progressive Liberal Party in the coming weeks, with initial plans calling for visits to those areas hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew.

In a recent interview with The Tribune, Mr Sears, a former Fort Charlotte MP, said his campaign team has opted to rearrange stops on his campaign trail, with the earliest visit scheduled for North Andros instead of Exuma as originally planned.

Mr Sears said his team made the decision in view of Hurricane Matthew, the massive category four storm that ripped through The Bahamas last week.

“We have made some adjustments,” Mr Sears said.

“(Those adjustments are) to visit some of those areas such as North Andros where we have been before, but in light of damage and the devastation we will go back and express solidarity and see what concerns (are) and be of assistance to our brothers and sisters in North Andros.”

Mr Sears continued: “We will also, at some point, visit the Berry Islands and, of course we will go back to Grand Bahama, a place which has unfortunately gone through a lot of storms, both economic and hurricanes - Frances, Jeanne and now Matthew.”

In August, Mr Sears announced his plans to challenge Prime Minister Perry Christie for the PLP’s leadership post.

The move presented the first challenge to Mr Christie’s leadership since 2009, when Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage and attorney Paul Moss faced him at the PLP’s last convention.

Addressing the issue, Mr Sears said when he initially began his current quest, he had the view that commitment and loyalty to Mr Christie “was set.”

However, Mr Sears said that the notion has now been dispelled and he could not have imagined his campaign going any better.

“But as I have gone into the home of stalwarts, I must say, the majority of people who I have spoken appreciate a need for change, they have encouraged me and its been very inspiring,” he added.

Mr Sears said he has built a base among PLP supporters who see the need for a paradigm shift in terms of transparent and accountable governance, as well as a diversified economy, strengthened local government, more effective safety nets and security for the citizens of The Bahamas.

Mr Sears also revealed plans to publish a comprehensive platform that will promote, provoke and encourage public discussion, debate and reflection in terms of how the country should move toward a preferred future.

Addressing Hurricane Matthew directly, Mr Sears said he was proud to see the level of civility shared among Bahamians.

He said as he travelled through the community of Fort Charlotte and around New Providence in the days since the passage of Matthew, he has seen the extraordinary resilience of Bahamians facing what was a harrowing experience.

Mr Sears stated that Bahamians, despite the horrific situation endured, preserved and maintained a sense of humour and gratitude.

“I think we tend to see the crime, we tend to see the lack of civility in everyday life, but during periods of crisis such as this hurricane and my past recollection, we see some beautiful characteristics of the Bahamian people – resiliency, community solidarity and I saw it this time and I have a recollection of seeing it in Frances and Jeanne,” he said.