By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunmedia.net

FORMER PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby yesterday challenged party leader-hopefuls to put themselves up for nomination regardless of whether incumbent leader Prime Minister Perry Christie decides to seek another term.

Underscoring that his ideal leader would be under the age of 60, Mr Rigby suggested that there were two senior women in Cabinet – one of whom was Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin – who could ascend to the top post if nominated.

Mr Rigby said politicians could not expect leadership to be handed to them on a “silver platter”, and forecast that Mr Christie will remain tightlipped over his political future because he expected them to battle it out just as he did.

He said there was no such thing as “succession planning” in politics as he called for potential candidates to make good on their intentions and put up a fight for top post.

“Mr Christie’s decision is only one factor that a person takes into consideration,” he said, “there are other factors they must weigh.”

“This is politics, it is a game for big grown men and if you’re ready for prime time, you put your name for nomination, let the delegates decide, and you face the consequences.

“There is no succession planning in politics, none. It cannot be handed on a platter, if you want it you got to take it.”

All party positions will be up for contest at this year’s PLP convention, scheduled for November 1-7 at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort.

Mr Christie, 72, has not given any clear indication of his political future. In January, he said it would take a “compelling, tangible” reason for him to lead his party into the next general election, adding that he told his family in the lead-up to the last general election that the 2012 campaign would be his last.

Mr Rigby explained that the leadership position was open to both genders, and a successful candidate would have to demonstrate competence; a vision that can be articulated and shared; and ability to win in the 2017 general election.

He noted that Mrs Hanna-Martin, 56, had demonstrated that there were no glass ceilings for women within the party when she was elected as party chairman in 2008, and became the first woman to hold the position in the country.

Mr Rigby noted that PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts has also not confirmed whether he intended to step down, adding that he hoped Mr Roberts would demit the post.

Mr Rigby said he planned to use his vote at the convention based on the skills presented by the candidates on nomination day, adding that it was fruitless to pay attention to pre-convention rumblings.

“We need to move to a leader who is in the generation of his 40s or perhaps 50s – that’s my personal view.”

“We have one or two fine performing women, who I think could very well put their name in (for) nomination. They have manifested their degree of competence, so the question of whether they can win is how they convince the delegates. I think it would be a good thing for one of the (women) Cabinet ministers to put their name in, and I think they could win.”

Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, 64, and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, 56, have both made their leadership aspirations public but insisted that they would not challenge Mr Christie for his position.

Yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe reaffirmed his full support of the party’s leader.

“I’m a Perry Christie supporter,” Mr Wilchcombe said, “there will never be a time when Christie will ever have any doubt of my full support.”

“I’m very grateful to have benefitted from his wisdom, and still do. I know who’s the boss. There is no question in my mind, so my means to lead the PLP will only follow his decision to move out of politics, that’s when I would want to position myself for that,” Mr Wilchcombe added.

However, Mr Rigby said Mr Christie was no stranger to leadership challenges on the convention floor, pointing to challenges from National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage.

“People who want the leadership can’t assume Christie is going to give it to him on a platter,” Mr Rigby added.

“He’s going to expect them to put up a fight just like he had to fight.”

This upcoming convention will be the PLP’s first since 2009, despite the party being mandated to hold one annually.