By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday he is “not at all” concerned about former Attorney General Alfred Sears’ bid to challenge him for the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

In fact, Mr Christie said “his record” and his “value” would ensure his re-election at the party’s convention in November.

Appearing as a guest on radio talk show “Darold Miller Live” with host Darold Miller, Mr Christie laughed off speculation that he may be ousted as leader of the PLP by the Fort Charlotte candidate because of voter frustration with the current administration.

“No, I am not concerned,” Mr Christie said. “What I have done for the people of The Bahamas and what I have done for the Progressive Liberal Party and its supporters, will enable them to see the value, my value as prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Earlier this month, Mr Sears announced his intention to challenge Mr Christie for the PLP’s top post, meaning that Mr Christie will face the first challenge to his leadership since National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and attorney Paul Moss faced him in 2009.

For months, Mr Sears has been laying the groundwork for a leadership run, having recently released a list of proposals he intends to champion if he becomes leader of the PLP.

He spent recent months canvassing the country to make an assessment as to whether it would be wise to run for leader. Mr Sears, recently ratified as the PLP’s election candidate for Ft Charlotte, pledged to run a “clean” race, one without personal attacks.

Mr Christie stirred controversy when he said he seeks to remain leader of the PLP to provide stability to the party and because young members in government have urged him to continue on. The comments, which were made while he was a guest on the “Ed Fields Live” show on Kiss FM in July, sparked an immense backlash.

While Mr Christie did not name the government members that endorsed him, only a few sitting MPs have expressed public support for his continued leadership: Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Dion Smith and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe.

They have all suggested that Mr Sears would find it difficult to rally support among sitting PLP parliamentarians.

In response, Mr Sears said there was no barrier for him to be elected as leader of the PLP and argued that his leadership bid was the most practical and stable choice for the party.