NASSAU, Bahamas – The ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) says it will officially launch its campaign for next general election on Monday next week after the party on Monday night completed the ratification process for all of its 39 candidates for the poll likely to be held before the constitutionally deadline of September this year.
PLP and Prime Minister Phillip Davis (in yellow) announcing the start of the party’s campaign for the general electionsIn the last general election, the PLP won 32 seats with the remainder going to the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM).
Prime Minister Phillip Davis told party supporters that the selection phase was over and the party is moving into full election campaign mode.
“This marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another. The selection process is done. Ratifications are complete. Next week, February 16, the Progressive Liberal Party launches its campaign,” Davis said, reminding supporters that “a lot is at stake this election”.
Davis warned PLP supporters against allowing the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) to win the election and having its leader, Michael Pintard, whom he described as a “Petty” person to lead the country.
“My mummy used to tell me, and that was a woman, there’s nothing worse than a petty man,” Davis said, adding that such “pettiness” would halt progress made under his administration over the last five years.
“A petty leadership focuses on grudges instead of progress. Petty leadership puts ego ahead of people. Petty leadership tears down instead of builds up. A petty man is very dangerous to this country.
“We can’t afford leaders who are more interested in settling scores than solving problems,” Davis said, adding “winning is earned through process”.
During his address, Prime Minister Davis also told trade unions and more particularly, healthcare workers that they can trust him and his government.
“PLPs, I want to speak directly to our union brothers and sisters, and to every healthcare worker across this country. You can trust me. You can trust this government.
“When the pressure was highest, you showed up. You carried this country. And we respected that work, because we understand what it costs.
“Working people deserve fairness, unions deserve respect, healthcare workers deserve support. As long as I am prime minister, unions will always have a seat at the table.”
Davis said his administration had stabilised the economy following the COVID pandemic, expanded social programmes and invested in infrastructure across the islands, warning that the election would determine whether recent reforms are sustained or reversed.
