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Progressive Labour Party (Bermuda)

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Progressive Labour Party
LeaderE. David Burt
ChairmanScott Simmons
Deputy LeaderWalter Roban
Founded10 February 1963
HeadquartersAlaska Hall, 16 Court Street, Hamilton, Bermuda
IdeologySocial conservatism[1] Classical liberalism[2]
Political positionCentre-left[3]
Senate
5 / 11
Assembly
30 / 36
Website
http://www.plp.bm

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) is one of the three political parties in Bermuda. At the 18 July 2017 general election, the party won 24 of the 36 seats in the Bermudian House of Assembly to become the governing party. The party was founded in 1963, the first political party in Bermuda, and the oldest still active. It formed government from 1998 to 2012, and again since 2017.

Formation

[edit]

The Progressive Labour Party was founded in 1963 by Wilfred Mose Allen, Hugh Ryo Richardson, Albert Peter Smith, Edward DeJean, Walter N.H. Robinson, Austin Wilson and Dilton C. Cann. These seven had earlier met in Richardson's garage, before holding the first formal meeting of the PLP on 10 February 1963 in Robinson's office in Hamilton.

The party contested the 1963 election just three months after its formation. Appealing to working-class voters, the first election platform called for equitable taxation, an end to racial discrimination, economic parity and welfare programs, as well as housing, educational and electoral reform. The party contested nine of the 36 House of Assembly seats. The PLP's six successful members of parliament were Arnold A. Francis (Party Leader), Walter N. H. Robinson (Deputy Leader), Lois Browne-Evans (Bermuda's first black elected woman Member of Parliament), Russell Dismont, Cecil Clarke and Dorothy Thompson.

Bermuda received its first constitution in 1968, and an election was called on 22 May 1968. In the election, the party was soundly defeated winning only 10 of 40 seats by the conservative United Bermuda Party which was founded in 1964. During the election, the party's leader, Walter Robinson, was defeated in his constituency and Lois Browne-Evans became party leader, the first female opposition leader in the British Commonwealth.

In subsequent elections, the PLP slowly increased its seat numbers. At the 1972 general election, the PLP increased its share of the popular vote from 33% to 38%. The party again contested every constituency. With the successful re-election of Walter Robinson, Lois Browne-Evans yielded the leadership of the party back to him. The party retained ten seats in the House. In April 1976, Robinson retired from active politics, later becoming a Puisne Judge, and Browne-Evans became the Party Leader for the second time as well as the Opposition Leader.

In the 1980 general election, the party ran 40 candidates and won 18 seats and 46% of the votes, just three short of the number needed to form government. There was steady progress until 1983, when a noticeable slide began. In 1983, the party had to fight a snap general election. Once again, the party ran 40 candidates, contesting every seat. The PLP lost four seats in this election, gaining only 43.4% of the votes. Another snap general election was called in November 1985. A small, but determined PLP contested 18 of the 20 constituencies, fielding 30 candidates.

The party had been gripped in the legacy of a severe split between a group led by veteran parliamentarian Gilbert Darrell and those loyal to Party Leader Lois Browne-Evans. This division resulted in a group being expelled from the party. The party split had affected the electorate which was reflected in the party's further loss of seats and only 31% of the votes. The party won only seven seats.

Lois Browne-Evans stepped down as Party Leader. At the special Delegates Conference, convened 72 hours after the election, Deputy Leader, L. Frederick Wade became the PLP's fourth Party Leader with Walter Roberts as the new Deputy Leader. Wade, committed the party to a period of rebuilding and the reversal experienced in the previous elections. A rejuvenated PLP was ready for the general election of 1989. The party contested all 20 constituencies and regained eight seats to increase the number of PLP representatives to 15 and an increase of 37% of the votes cast. The process of rebuilding continued with the party regaining the confidence of its supporters and building new bridges with the electorate. Wade also began making inroads with the business community.

At the 1993 general election, called for October 1993, Wade led a well-prepared PLP. The Party contested all 20 constituencies and gained three seats to increase the number of PLP representatives to 18. In the election the party once again approached the threshold of victory with 46.7% of the votes cast.

Recent history

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In 1996 Jennifer Meredith Smith succeeded to the leadership of the PLP upon the death of L. Frederick Wade. Smith immediately set about establishing her mandate for the party with an agenda to get the organisation ready for the next general election, due to be held no later than October 1998.

Under her leadership the party continued working to rebuild and strengthen the party apparatus. In addition, the PLP entered into an aggressive fundraising campaign, expanding its appeal to not only traditional supporters but also the business sector. The interaction with the business community, started under L.F. Wade continued - raising the Party's credentials as a future government that would work to ensure a sound business environment.

On 20 October 1998, the date of the much-anticipated general election was announced as 9 November 1998. The party won 26 seats and 54.3% of votes to form government, in the first change of government in Bermuda's history. Jennifer Smith led the party to its first victory against the conservative United Bermuda Party, which had controlled the territory since universal franchise and a constitution was gained in 1968, but was split by bitter infighting resulting from Premier Sir John W. Swan's forcing a referendum in 1995 on independence from the United Kingdom (74.12% voted against independence, resulting in the resignation of Swan and his cabinet and - along with further UBP infighting due to the attempt by Swan and his partners to take over and continue to operate a McDonald's franchise on the United States Naval Air Station Bermuda, in contravention to Bermudian law, after the United States Navy withdrew from Bermuda in 1995 - fatally injuring the United Bermuda Party).[4][5]

The party having achieved the goal of the founding fathers and reached the pinnacle of electoral success set about the mission of building 'A New Bermuda.' Immediately, the government moved to make substantive changes in key areas, including: amendment to the Election Act eliminating annual voter registration; the introduction of the political office of Attorney General which required the establishment of Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as the chief law officer responsible for Crown prosecutions. Another change was the re-introduction of bi-weekly garbage collection. On 18 August 2000, Premier Jennifer Smith tabled a paper, proposing constitutional amendments, including the establishment of single-seat constituencies. This was in keeping with a PLP platform initiative to ensuring that Bermuda's democracy enshrined the principle of "one person, one vote; each vote of equal value". This goal had been consistently stated from the establishment of the PLP in 1963 under the objective of constitutional reform. In November 2000, the Party Leader faced a challenge to her leadership by Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson. The Party Leader defeated Hodgson by a vote of 2 to 1.

On 11 October 2002 the House of Assembly passed the Boundaries Commission Report which included recommendations for 36 single seat constituencies. In November 2002, Premier Jennifer Smith tabled a motion in the House of Assembly that the Government empower a Committee to examine the Parliamentary Election Act with a view to making recommendations about the wider questions of the voting franchise in Bermuda.

On 28 February 2003, an Order-in-Council was made at Buckingham Palace ratifying the recommendations of the commission to the Governor and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The Order came into effect in mid-March 2003 setting the stage for the next General Election, with a single seat constituency system established in Bermuda.

A discussion paper on the wider question of the franchise looking at broader questions for reform of Bermuda's voting system was submitted to the Parliament. The paper was consistent with the party's long-standing commitment to examine the larger question of reform of Bermuda's voting system. In June 2003, further parliamentary reform was completed, with amendments to the Parliamentary Election Act widening the categories of valid identification voters could use during an election. This would modernize requirements and contribute to more flexibility and ease in the voting process for all.

On 11 June 2003 the Premier announced that she would ask the Governor to dissolve Parliament in order to have a general election on 24 July 2003.

The party again won the election on 24 July 2003 with 51.6% of the vote and 22 out of 36 seats, but less than a week later Ewart Brown led a party coup, and Smith was forced to resign. The two factions agreed to a compromise candidate, Alex Scott, to become Premier of Bermuda, while Brown would hold the deputy premiership.

On 28 July 2003, Jennifer Smith submitted her resignation as Premier to His Excellency the Governor. W. Alexander Scott is not long after sworn in as Premier and on 30 July 2003, the New Cabinet was sworn in at Government House. The new Premier immediately moved to unify the Party and to reassure the country in the new government. In early September, the new PLP government was tested with the first national crisis in the form of Hurricane Fabian. The natural disaster devastated much of the island but the quick and effective response by the Government was praised by all quarters of the community.

In November 2004, the Throne Speech detailed a comprehensive initiative by the Government described as The Social Agenda. This Agenda revealed new initiatives designed to be a key part of the Government's blueprint for social change. Some of the highlights are:

  • New plans for EMERGENCY housing with the Government to construct two, three and four bedroom manufactured emergency homes;
  • A longer-term strategy will see the renovation of derelict and vacant premises to increase the number of houses available to rent or buy;
  • An amendment to the customs tariff to reduce the cost of importing building materials;
  • A new points system to deal with reckless drivers and new British style de-merit points; system will be introduced in a bid to rid the country's roads of irresponsible motorists;
  • Tougher sentences for drug offenders;
  • A recycled personal computer initiative will attempt to put computers "within the grasp of all Bermudians";
  • Diversify the types of hotels on offer as well as pursuing business outside the traditional U.S. market in Europe

The protection of the environment and sustainable development is not only a global issue but also an important local concern. On 6 December 2004, Premier Scott announced that the Government would develop a Sustainable Development Plan for Bermuda. The Premier noted that it was time for us to ensure that development in this country is sustainable in order to provide a foundation for a better quality of life for everyone, now, and for generations to come.

In December 2004, Premier, the Hon. W. Alexander Scott JP, MP announced the formation of the Bermuda Independence Commission, an independent body of persons drawn from the widest, most representative cross-section of individuals, groups, unions and organisations in Bermuda. The Bermuda Independence Commission would have the express purpose of educating, informing and encouraging discussion and debate on the subject of Independence for Bermuda. The commission would also prepare a report with recommendation on the subject of Independence.

Premier Scott appointed the Sustainable Development Round Table (SDRT) in April 2005, to facilitate broad community engagement and representation in sustainable development decisions facing the future of Bermuda.

In August 2005, the long-awaited Bermuda Independence Commission Report was released to the public. Its release ignites a flurry of debate and discussion in the community on the report's findings from pro Independence and anti Independence advocates. The question and merits of an Independence referendum also enters into the debate. From February to May 2006, the Party held a series of meetings throughout the island to promote understanding of the findings of the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) and the issue of Independence. Overall, the meetings were well attended but support for the island moving towards independence remained elusive.

In late August 2006, speculation and discussion arose as to whether there was to be a leadership challenge at the upcoming Party Conference in light of the fact that it is an election year for all Party Officers. A leading contender was Tourism and Transport Minister Ewart F. Brown. It was also suggested another leading possible contestant was Finance Minister the Hon Paula Cox.

On 13 October 2006, the rumours of an impending leadership contest were settled when Brown announced his resignation from the Cabinet and that he would contest the leadership of the party at the upcoming Delegates Conference. Brown also stated that if the party chose the current Party Leader, W. Alexander Scott over him, he would resign from politics at the next election. On 27 October 2006, Brown defeated Scott in an election for Party Leader and became the PLP's Leader and Premier of Bermuda. Newly appointed Premier Brown and his Cabinet moved quickly to engage the public on key issues, particularly Education, Health and social issues.

The Throne Speech delivered 4 November 2006 pledges the Government would implement new, strong and significant programmes to address housing, education, healthcare, the quality of life for our youth and our elderly, alcohol and drug abuse, crime and race relations.

Following through with a promise made during Dr. Brown's leadership campaign, it is announced in the Throne Speech, that the Medical Clinic (formerly known as the Indigent Clinic) will be closed. The position is taken that it undermines the patients' dignity being treated in this manner. Under the new plans, patients will have access to the same services as the general public with at least 30 private doctors.

Some of the other initiatives that were highlighted in the 2006 Throne Speech are as follows:

  • Establish a Ministry for Social Rehabilitation, focused on quickly implementing solutions to the challenges that exist in our community.
  • Renew the Government commitment to producing 330 units in 30 months with 286 units under contract.
  • Work with the private sector to generate progressive ways to finance new homes.
  • Assemble the best legal and financial minds to determine how to renovate derelict homes for rent or ownership by deserving families.
  • Introduce an income-based housing programme.
  • Provide a zero rate of Customs Duty on imported materials for all proposals approved by the Government as 'affordable housing developments'.
  • An Agricultural and Educational Outreach Programme to be implemented to familiarise senior secondary school students with farming.
  • Shift the focus from where the new hospital would be and work with the medical community to establish the priorities for healthcare in Bermuda.
  • Declare the Economic Empowerment Zone in North Hamilton as an 'approved scheme' under the Industrial Development Act 1968.

In December 2006, Premier Brown stated he was "deeply and seriously" concerned about the state of education and that within the near future Bermuda would hear "some very significant statements" about what was planned to improve attainment levels.

In May 2007, a report was given to the public on the findings of the Education Review and it revealed serious challenges in Bermuda's public Education system. The report outlined recommendations which the PLP Government committed to implementing.

The prospects of an election once again become apparent when starting in early July 2007 the party began announcing its candidate line up for the future election. On 2 November 2007, to the surprise of many, just hours after the Throne Speech, Premier Brown announced that he visited the Governor and requested he prorogue the Parliament in order to hold a general election dated Tuesday 18 December 2007. The six weeks leading up to the election was filled with a great deal of energy and sometimes-confrontational rhetoric between the completing parties. The campaign slogan for a third consecutive victory was, 'Moving Bermuda Forward' with a mission to make it 'Three Straight!!!’ Another effective campaign tag line promoted across the island was 'PLP Solid!’ The party focused its energy and resources on saturating the political landscape; proving the party was the dominant force in the country for progress and change.

The PLP won a third term in power in the election held on 18 December 2007, again taking 22 seats. Not only did the party successfully keep its majority, it managed to increase its percentage of the popular vote from 51.6% to 52.5%.[6]

Brown quit elected politics in October 2010 and he was succeeded as party leader and Premier by Paula Cox.[7]

Widely blamed for worsening the effects of the 2008 global recession through ineptitude and corruption,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] on 17 December 2012, the party, which had also angered many Bermudians through its stoking racial division while in Government,[18][19] narrowly lost a general election to the One Bermuda Alliance; Cox lost her own seat and resigned as party leader the following day. She was replaced by Marc Bean, the former Minister of the Environment, Planning and Infrastructure.[20] However future Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, was elected to parliament in December 2012, representing the party in the constituency of Sandys South Central.[21]

On 15 February 2013, Terry Lister announced his resignation from the party, and his intention to continue to sit in the House of Assembly as an Independent.[22] Lister resigned from Parliament[23] in September 2014, prompting a by-election. On 19 November 2014 the PLP's Candidate Jamahl Simmons defeated the OBA's Georgia Marshall.[24]

Election results

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Election Party leader Votes Seats Position Government
No. % ± No. of candidates No. of seats won ±
1963 Arnold Francis 5,827 18.62% — 36
6 / 36
 — Steady 1st Independents
1968 Walter Robinson ? ? ? 40
10 / 40
 Increase 4 Decrease 2nd UBP
1972 Lois Browne-Evans 13,018 38.23% ? 40
10 / 40
 Steady Steady 2nd UBP
1976 15,246 44.36% Increase 6.13 36
11 / 36
 Steady Steady 2nd UBP
1980 22,452 46.02% Increase 1.34 40
18 / 40
 Increase 7 Steady 2nd UBP
1983 20,765 43.40% Decrease 2.38 40
14 / 40
 Decrease 4 Steady 2nd UBP
1985 10,930 30.54% Decrease 12.86 40
7 / 40
 Decrease 7 Steady 2nd UBP
1989 L. Frederick Wade 15,548 36.71% Increase 6.17 30
15 / 40
 Increase 8 Steady 2nd UBP
1993 23,168 45.84% Increase 9.13 40
18 / 40
 Increase 3 Steady 2nd UBP
1998 Jennifer M. Smith 30,422 54.57% Increase 8.73 40
26 / 40
 Increase 8 Increase 1st PLP
2003 14,868 50.50% Increase 4.07 36
22 / 36
 Decrease 4 Steady 1st PLP
2007 Ewart Brown 16,800 52.45% Decrease 1.95 36
22 / 36
 Steady Steady 1st PLP
2012 Paula Cox 14,218 46.08% Decrease 6.37 36
17 / 36
 Decrease 5 Decrease 2nd OBA
2017 Edward David Burt 20,059 58.88% Increase 12.8 36
24 / 36
 Increase 7 Increase 1st PLP
2020 15,995 62.09% Increase 3.10 36
30 / 36
 Increase 6 Steady 1st PLP
2025

References

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  1. ^ "Bermuda's government fights against same-sex marriage in Court of Appeal". 8 November 2018.
  2. ^ Hayward, Jason (30 August 2016). "Column: Classical Liberalism & Political Ideology". Bernews. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  3. ^ Hayward, Jason (30 August 2016). "Column: Classical Liberalism & Political Ideology". Bernews. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  4. ^ Former Deputy Premier Cartwright DeCouto dies. By Jonathan Bell. The Royal Gazette, City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Published 1 July, 2016
  5. ^ Is there a McDonald's in Bermuda?. Bermuda 4U
  6. ^ "Bermuda's ruling party wins election focused on corruption, racial resentment", Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 19 December 2007.
  7. ^ "Videos: Paula Cox Sworn in As Premier". Bernews. 29 October 2010.
  8. ^ Ferguson, Pat (19 December 2012). "A new day has dawned". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Last night, the people of Bermuda exercised their "people power" and sent a very strong message to the PLP — the message that they were tired of unaccountability, mismanagement, arrogance, corruption, lack of transparency, and the "we don't care what you think attitude!"
  9. ^ "Former Premier proposes legislation to combat corruption in public life". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2022. The One Bermuda Alliance has also been concerned about corruption in Government. It promised during the election campaign that it would introduce Integrity in Public Office legislation, set minimum disclosure standards for MPs financial dealings with Government and adopt zero tolerance for unethical behaviour.
  10. ^ "'Good governance has been a priority since November 2010' Kim Wilson". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2022. OBA Senator Michael Dunkley said the public had been asking for "more care and attention" with regards to how the public purse is managed.

    He added that he found it "very amusing" that the PLP had started casting aspersions. He said seeing Government members "patting themselves on the back and banging themselves on the chest" meant two things; there must be an election coming and they must be trying to defend the record.
  11. ^ "Minister quits Cabinet in wake of planning appeals controversy". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Walter Roban last night quit Cabinet after 16 days as Public Works Minister, saying he deeply regrets bringing accusations of corruption upon Government.

    Mr Roban had come under intense criticism for granting planning permission for Progressive Labour Party colleagues Zane DeSilva and Wayne Furbert on his final day as Environment Minister, against the advice of his technical officers.

    Less than two hours before Mr Roban resigned, new Environment Minister Marc Bean had issued a statement saying his controversial decisions on November 2 counted for nothing.
  12. ^ POLLY (2 January 2012). "It's time for change". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Retrieved 26 August 2022. I actually admire the constant beatings of people like LaVerne Furbert and others who use race and a need for control to encourage the continued support of the PLP. Their insistence that a government should be elected solely because they want to be in power, with no regard for ability or transparency or the actual needs of the people of Bermuda, has been effective for 13 years but I think the end is near.

    When the UBP governed Bermuda the PLP members simply decided that they did not want to be involved in Government. They didn't participate and they didn't learn. In 1998 the PLP had no experience and no members to speak of who actually understood the idea of "paying an employee on Friday" as opposed to being the one being paid. And their track record speaks for itself.

    The days are over when Bermudians, particularly black Bermudians, can be deluded to vote for continued incompetence, continued and spiralling debt, continued and uncontrolled gang warfare and, probably most importantly, the absolute absence of any sign that the PLP have any idea how to restore the tourism sector and remove the terror that Bermudians experience when job losses hit them in the gut.

    The PLP has never been a Government per se. They are more like a labour group who hold the power for the material benefit of their personal supporters. They don't solve problems, they don't plan, they don't create anything - they simply rely on the power of race to perpetuate the power for the few. That may have worked until now but the problems created by these shortcomings are now so great that they cannot be ignored. Whatever you think of Bob Richards personally or politically, no one can deny that he knows what he's talking about and that he is as honest as the day is long. His view of our economic issues are ignored for another five years at all of our peril.

    An election is on the horizon. Do you see the PLP with any answers to the debt situation? $1 billion and climbing.
  13. ^ "OBA question need for new good governance legislation". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz yesterday questioned why Premier Paula Cox is bringing in more Good Governance legislation when she doesn't appear to be using her existing sanctioning powers.

    Mr Moniz dismissed the Premier's latest pledge for new laws to crack down on unethical behaviour as 'baby steps' and a hasty response to the One Bermuda Alliance's references to allegations of corruption.

    He said almost nothing has been done despite a string of Progressive Labour Party projects attracting the attention of the Auditor General and police.
  14. ^ "Parties go on the offensive over their good governance records". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2022. The Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance attacked each other's records on Friday during a debate on Good Governance legislation.

    While Government MPs said the act was another example of the Government working to address the concerns of the community, Opposition MPs questioned why the legislation was coming now, rather than when the PLP took power.
  15. ^ "More of the same?". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2022. When Premier Paula Cox was elected as leader of the Progressive Labour Party, there were many who supported her because she represented something different from her predecessor, Dr Ewart Brown.

    Deservedly or not, Dr Brown's administration had been tarnished by allegations of poor governance, and Ms Cox promised to improve these standards, and Bermuda's reputation.

    To some extent, she has tried to do this, and the recent good governance bill is one example. Whether its passage was a tacit admission that standards of behaviour had been found wanting or not, the fact is that such legislation, if enforced, should help.

    But it's one thing to talk about good governance and it is another to act.

    And Government has acted on occasion. Civil servants have been prosecuted. And in one defining moment, Ms Cox was forced to set herself off against her own Deputy Premier over the Bermuda Land Development Company.

    Although there are a great many side issues involved in the BLDC situation, the bottom line is that the Premier agreed with the Auditor General that it was inappropriate for the chairman and deputy chairman of the board to appoint themselves up as consultants to their own board and to ask their colleagues to approve payments to themselves of $80,000 each.
  16. ^ Ferguson, Pat (16 October 2012). "Things will only get worse". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Retrieved 26 August 2022. This Government will not listen, they will not let the people know what is going on and if they are re-elected, things will only get worse. They have no sense of what is morally appropriate, and they have no respect for the Bermudian people. They don't know what they are doing as far as administrating to the needs of the Island; they only know how to take care of their own gluttonous needs.

    They have lied, mismanaged, overlook, underperformed, posed, postured and bled us dry
  17. ^ "UBP MP Charlie Swan says Government should 'hold its collective heads in shame'". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2022. He said Government was using Minsterial Statements to tout what it had done "as if they have provided the answer to our country's ills".

    "Yes: It has spent millions on many good programmes, but these haven't addressed our ills. It has spent millions on new buildings and infrastructure and these don't make a lasting contribution to jobs.

    "The Government has also alienated its own people, not properly encouraged a viable business environment, and wasted tens of millions…..for what?

    "None of this has left the country or its people in a position to effectively weather an economic downturn, or confident in the Government's handling of our hard earned taxes and levies."

    He said Government was patting itself on the back for "long called for, but only recently announced" anti corruption legislation. He said the laws had come "after the horse has bolted".
  18. ^ HAD ENOUGH OF THIS TWO FACED GOVERNMENT (10 January 2012). "Why I won't vote for the PLP". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Retrieved 26 August 2022. At the time the PLP got into power I was working for myself and doing quite a lot of Government work for Tourism. This came to a grinding halt, so much so that I ended up going back to working full time for a local company. I dare say that the then-new Tourism Minister's remark "only people that look like me will get contracts from me" had a large part to do with my work drying up from Tourism. And when the PLP was looking at a third term, the racecard came out in full force. There were cries of "Vote for our people" and when the new Premier was questioned by an independent international station about how he had won the young black vote and what was he going to do for the young white vote, he was quoted as saying "They can take care of themselves".

    Since then, the PLP has run into all the issues every government has to face. Crime, education, housing, internal power struggles and if I dare say it, corruption. They implement policies they promised only to renege on them because they didn't work. They cower from bullies in their own party because most of them have the "backbone of a gummy bear" rather than stand up for what is right. They now see they are losing the vote that got them into power in the first place because these issues have either not been dealt with very well or not dealt with at all and realise that for them to stay in power that they may need the white swing vote after all, so now we have to all be friends? I have to ask what has the PLP government done for me personally to improve my life? They certainly haven't made Bermuda a safer place, my income is down and as for education I have made sacrifices to send my daughter to private school. So why would I vote for the PLP? I see no reason to, whether I was white or black.
  19. ^ Comeau, Kevin (19 October 2012). "Don't condone racial voting". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Further, as Dr West explains, voting solely on the basis of skin colour creates corrupt politicians. If a politician knows that he has your vote no matter how badly he performs and no matter how deeply he lines his own pockets, then he will govern only for the benefit of himself and his connected friends.

    Unfortunately, Bermuda has experienced exactly that of which Dr West warns. The PLP repeatedly used racially inflammatory statements ("back to the plantation" etc) to rally the black vote, and then, to everyone's disappointment, numerous PLP Ministers repeatedly immersed themselves in scandals that collectively have exceeded $100 million.

    But that was not the full extent of the PLP damage to the racial-equity struggle. Faced with mounting Government debt to no small degree because of Government corruption and waste the PLP Government then chose to dramatically reduce its financial support for many social programmes that otherwise could have helped struggling black Bermudians in these difficult times.
  20. ^ Johnson, Ayo (22 December 2012). "Marc Bean new PLP leader". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  21. ^ "MP Constituency #34 - Sandys South Central". PLP. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Terry Lister Announces Resignation From PLP". Bernews. 15 February 2013.
  23. ^ "Video: MP Terry Lister To Retire From Politics - Bernews". 23 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Jamahl Simmons Wins C#33 Bye-Election". Bernews. 18 November 2014.
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