Former Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears said yesterday he is considering re-entering frontline politics as the Progressive Liberal Party's (PLP) candidate in that constituency, and suggested that he would be open to taking on a leadership position within the party if one opens up.

Sears was responding to PLP Fort Charlotte Branch Chairperson Donna Moxey, who said last week that the branch "welcomes another opportunity to work with Mr. Sears". She made the statement after Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins resigned from the PLP. She said the branch was already in the process of finding another suitable candidate to represent the people of Fort Charlotte as Rollins was on a course that would take him outside the PLP.

Sears worked with Rollins to assist him in getting elected ahead of the 2012 general election. He described Rollins as a talented individual. Rollins resigned from the PLP following his contribution to the budget debate in Parliament last week. In that contribution, he lashed out at the Christie administration over several key issues, charging that the PLP only cares about protecting its own.

Sears declined to comment on Rollins' resignation, but he said he is happy to serve the PLP.

"It has been placed on the table," he said when asked if he would run on the PLP's ticket. It's been a great privilege to serve the community of Fort Charlotte and I can tell you one thing, I could never have been the member of Parliament for two consecutive terms were it not for the support of not only members of the PLP, but FNMs and people from the DNA and I tried to serve the community. So it was a privilege."

As for his leadership aspirations, Sears said while he isn't actively seeking a position just yet, he would consider taking on the challenge.

"I would have to consider it if it is offered and if it is available," he said. "Of course, one would consider and make a decision based on the best contribution you can make. But certainly it isn't something that at this time that I'm preoccupied with. I will serve the party in any way that the party would find useful for me. Of course, I have never stepped away from serving. When I returned to The Bahamas it was with the intention at some point to give public service and at different times you serve in different positions."

Both Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe have declared an interest in running for the leadership position of the PLP.

The convention is set for the last week in October.

Christie has not yet said when he intends to retire from frontline politics.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian