The Tribune

By PAUL G TURNQUEST

Chief Reporter

pturnquest@tribunemedia.net

INCOMING Prime Minister Perry Christie has promised to do ‘his very best’ for the country after gaining a dramatic victory in the General Election.

On a night full of surprises the PLP secured 28 out of 38 seats in the House of Assembly - defeating the once governing Free National Movement which won just 10.

The PLP won Bains and Grants Towns, Bamboo Town, Carmichael, Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, Mangrove Cay and South Andros, Centreville, Elizabeth, Englerston, Exuma and Ragged Island, Fort Charlotte, Fox Hill, Garden Hills, Golden Gates, Golden Isles, Marathon, Marco City, MICAL, Mount Moriah, Nassau Village, North Andros and the Berry Islands, Pineridge, Pinewood, Seabreeze, South Beach, Southern Shores, Tall Pines, West Grand Bahama and Bimini and Yamacraw.

The FNM secured North Abaco, Central and South Abaco, Central Grand Bahama, East Grand Bahama, North Eleuthera, Central and South Eleuthera, Killarney, Long Island, Montagu and St Anne’s.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Clifford Park last night, Mr Christie said that the hard work begins now.

“This was a magnificent victory we won today. Now that the general elections are over, the hard work begins. Great challenges will lay ahead, but with God’s grace and the support of the Bahamian people we will overcome the challenges and restore peace and prosperity to our beloved land.

“This has been a bitterly contested election. Now that it is over, it is time for national healing to begin. We must all come together Bahamians and work in unity and with common purpose to take our country to the great heights that beckon us now. To the good people of Centreville, I thank you for once again putting your faith in me as your representative. And to you the members and supporters of our great party who have fought so valiantly in this great campaign I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great victory tonight,” he said.

Mr Christie congratulated his colleagues who were successful at the polls and assured those who were not that they would still play a role in his government.

He added: “Finally I extend my love and thanks to my wife Bernadette who has been at my side each step of this grueling campaign. I would also like to thank my children for standing by me as well throughout this difficult march to victory.”

Mr Christie added: “I want to say to you tonight as your incoming Prime Minister, I want to let you all know how very proud we are of all of you on this wonderful night in our commonwealth. The whole human universe marks the manner of your bearing.

“For those of us who have come out here tonight in record numbers, you have done so well for us, it has been such a wonderful journey we have been on. I don’t have to tell you I love you. Together we are going to work hard to make this country the best little country in the whole world,” he said.