In a unanimous vote, the Free National Movement Members-Elect of the House of Assembly after consultation with the Central Council of the FNM invited me to serve as Leader of the Official Opposition.

It is with a profound sense of responsibility that I accept their invitation on the twenty-second anniversary of the passing of Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield, a Founding Father and former Leader of the FNM.

Accordingly, I will advise His Excellency the Governor General of the decision of my colleagues, and I will receive the instrument of appointment as the Official Leader of the Opposition.

Once again, the transition of office from one party to the next in Government has been seamless.  This is a matter of national pride in our vibrant and enduring parliamentary democracy.

For our part, we pledge to work with the Government in the best interest of the Bahamian people.  At times, this may require that we oppose what we believe is not in the national interest.

We will not oppose for the sake of opposing.  But we will oppose, without hesitation and vigorously, what we believe is harmful to the general welfare and common good of the Bahamian people.

We will also stand guard over, and be ever ready to protect, the Constitutional rights and freedoms of all Bahamians

As a matter of priority, and in the interest of transparent and accountable governance, we ask the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Urban Development to provide details of their work as consultants for a foreign company that is engaged in oil exploration in The Bahamas.

Further, we note that the Prime Minister has appointed a Minister of Urban Development.  We are flattered that the Government has borrowed the idea of urban development from the FNM.  We wait to see if this is mere window dressing or yet another slogan such as Urban Renewal 2.0.

At the appropriate time we will detail further ideas for genuine urban development, building on the accomplishments of the last five years.

The Scriptures remind us, in all things, give thanks.  And, we are reminded to always have an attitude of gratitude.

In this spirit, I wish to give my personal thanks to the people of Killarney who re-elected me to serve as their representative in the House of Assembly.  I thank my constituency association and campaign staff and volunteers.

I thank my wife, Patricia, family and friends for their unwavering support.

I also thank my colleague and friend, Hubert Alexander Ingraham for his outstanding service to the people of The Bahamas and to the FNM.

In gratitude to him and for the sake of all Bahamians, let us pledge to carry on his legacy and vision which is to build a greater Opportunity Society for every Bahamian across the length and breadth of the country we all love and cherish.

May God bless our efforts.  May God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.