WHILE urging Progressive Liberal Party members to unite during this week’s national convention, PLP interim Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said he is “confident” he’ll retain the party’s top post when the three-day event comes to a close.

Mr Davis is expected to face off against Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin during the 53rd convention where all posts will be vacant. Should she emerge victorious, the MP would be the first woman to lead the PLP. If Mr Davis wins, he would be the Opposition party’s third elected leader. He took over the reins of the PLP when former Prime Minister Perry Christie accepted responsibility for the party’s defeat in the May 10 election and stepped down as leader. 

Speaking to reporters following a prayer breakfast to kick off the event, Mr Davis said he hopes Bahamians are able to see the party as being receptive to the message they sent when the party was voted out of office.

Mr Davis said: “I hope that the convention will demonstrate to the Bahamian people that we heard the message that was delivered to us on May 10th and that we are responding to that message. That what they see at the convention, during the convention and post the convention would be a response to that message.

“I expect us to reflect on where we are, understand the times and the seasons that we are in and to craft a re-imaging of our party going forward. I think we need to be able to demonstrate to the Bahamian people that we are reworking our vision to reflect more what the Bahamian people would like to see. We have to rework our image and I think we need to ensure that we find the right vehicle that our message is delivered to the Bahamian people.”

He also said: “(Restoring trust and our image) is a work in progress. There are any number of approaches that one can take. But I think the one thing that has come home to me talking across the length and breadth of the country is that we lost the will to be all the time PLPs and having a continual remit to our people, continual dialogue (and) continuing to address the issues that impact the ordinary Bahamians. We need to reconnect and ensure that these things are done on a sustained level and not just periodically.”

Asked how he was feeling as he prepared to go head to head against Mrs Hanna Martin, Mr Davis replied: “Very confident.”

Before his comments to reporters, Mr Davis spoke to party supporters during the early morning event at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel at Cable Beach.

“This is our season for renewal, for recommitting ourselves to core values (and) for reaching and rebuilding our organisation. All of these are required to realise the change that we need as a party. Brothers and sisters my primary prayer for us is unity. Together we stand, united we fall.

“The fellowship in this room represents our entire country. It is the ideal time to encourage one another to teach each other to serve each other. We need a new perspective. We must return to principles of mutual respect.

“While it may be a harder road to take the high road it is always the best course of action. I therefore urge each of us to dig deep to invoke our Christ-like fervour and admiration of each other in this great PLP party.”

Apart from the leadership post of the party, the deputy leader position will be up for grabs. So far, Exuma and Ragged Island MP I Chester Cooper is the only candidate to announce in this regard.

The PLP’s convention will officially kick off tomorrow and come to a close on Wednesday, October 25. This is the party’s second convention for the year.