By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) held its first major rally since the announcement of the general election on Saturday night, drawing a lively and energetic crowd to RM Bailey Park under the theme “Rally for Progress”.

Supporters, dressed in party colours, filled the grounds waving flags as music, motorcades and chants built momentum ahead of the main addresses. While the park was not filled to capacity, the atmosphere featured sustained cheering and chants echoing across the venue.

The rally featured a slate of speakers, including Fred Mitchell, Keno Wong,  Leslia Brice,  Lisa Rahming, Zane Lightbourne, Sebas Bastian,  Jobeth Coleby-Davis and  Glenys Hanna-Martin. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis delivered the headline speeches, closing out the night.

Mr Cooper, addressing what he described as a “sea of blue”, opened with high energy, declaring the rally the start of the party’s next chapter ahead of the May 12 general election.

“Look at this crowd! Look at this sea of blue! Looks like a Blue Wave to me,” he said, as supporters responded with cheers.

Framing the election as a choice about “progress”, Mr Cooper pointed to tax reductions and cost-of-living measures implemented by the administration, including the removal of VAT on certain food items and essential goods.

He acknowledged ongoing economic pressures but insisted the government was actively addressing them. Mr Cooper also used his address to contrast the PLP with the opposition, while urging young voters, men and women, to support the party’s vision, particularly in areas such as job creation, entrepreneurship and ownership opportunities.

Mr Davis took the stage to loud applause, with supporters chanting party slogans and waving flags. He framed the election as a critical decision point for the country, warning against what he described as a cycle of changing administrations every five years.

“In 31 days, we have a choice,” he said. “In 31 days, we can choose progress, or we can go backwards.”

Central to his address was the announcement and promotion of the “Blueprint Tracker”, a public tool designed to show the government’s progress on its 2021 commitments. He urged attendees to check the tracker to see what the party has achieved.

Throughout the various speeches, the crowd remained highly engaged, frequently interrupting with applause, chants, particularly during repeated calls to “choose progress”.

The rally continued late into the night, ending around 11pm with fireworks and confetti as supporters celebrated, marking what the party described as the official start of its re-election campaign push.