Newly-elected Progressive Liberal Party Chairman, attorney Raynard Rigby, was challenged on Saturday night to help keep the party separate from the Government.
The charge came from Prime Minister Perry Christie during the installation banquet of party officers, held at the Wyndham Crystal Palace Hotel, Cable Beach.
“I hope that you understand clearly what that means.
That you do not allow our party to merge into the Government and therefore lose its identity in The Bahamas at the street level.
Your job is to ensure that those of us who are elected, never lose our connection with our people ,” Mr. Christie said.
Mr Christie also advised Rigby on the role he has to play when it comes to keeping Members of Parliament on the straight and narrow path.
“Members of Parliament must come to understand, if they do not know yet, that the only way our Party can have the success it needs to have to win again is if our MPs remain in touch with the people who elected them. To those who are elected officers of the Progressive Liberal Party, you have an obligation to help us to preserve the integrity of our Party and the integrity means being able to remain responsive and sensitive to the people of our country,” Prime Minister Christie said.
“And to those who now find that they don’t like it, then let us know, this will be your honour to serve at this time in Parliament.
To those who fail to stay in touch with their people, you should always remember the Progressive Liberal Party cannot be distracted from the main objectives of being the winning Party in this country, to form the Government of this country, to fulfil the mission that it has for the people of this country,” he stated.
“Therefore we must always, always communicate to our Members of Parliament that if you are not ready, then when the time comes we will just move on.
“I say so as someone who will not have much time left in public life, who had really a wonderful 28 years, going on 30, and who must now do as much as I can to ensure that the younger ones have at least some understanding of what enabled me to last this long holding the confidence of the people who vote for me this long,” Mr. Christie said.
Mr. Rigby emerged the new chairman on Thursday night with 543 votes over former party vice-chairman Ron Rolle, who garnered only 182 votes.
In his first address as chairman, Mr. Rigby promised that he would seek to strike an equitable balance between elder statesmen and the youth. He said that the two will co-exist so that the PLP can grow to greater heights.
“There will be much room in this Party for young and old Bahamians, no matter their socio-economic status or their level of education.
It is my mandate to embrace all Bahamians,” he said.
“I welcome this challenge to serve as National Chairman.
And, I will serve my party and its supporters, black and white, male and female, young and old, faithfully, diligently and with love for all,” Mr. Rigby said.
He pledged to the Prime Minister: “I will defend you from all attacks, Raynard Rigby got your back.”
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
