Get out and vote that was the recurring theme at a Progressive Labour Party rally last night.Described in a promotional email sent by Deputy Leader Derrick Burgess as “our BIG rally,” there was plenty of food, free PLP T-shirts and other memorabilia for supporters, as well as live entertainment including a performance of the PLP campaign song performed by local singer BLAC at the event.Around 150 people turned out to see the 12 East End candidates speak at the rally. Premier Paula Cox also spoke at the St. George’s Cricket Club last night.Neville Tyrrell, who is running in constituency 11, rallied the troops saying: “In 11 days, I believe (it will be) a great event an event that will put us back in power for the next five years.”But he added: “We have got to get you out to vote. We have earned it with our blood, sweat and tears. Please, please come out on December 17. it is very important.”In a bid to emphasise how important every vote is, he recounted that he had lost by just 27 votes in the 2007 election. Asking the crowd: “What time is it?” he then said: ”It’s not time for the other folks yet. They haven’t done their apprenticeship.“Come out and vote. Vote early, and vote PLP,” he said.Patrice Minors, who is running in constituency 10, said “This party has come too far to wave a flag of surrender.” In a reference to the boundary changes in her constituency, she said: “They say that the boundaries are in his (Michael Dunkley’s) favour,” she said. “But I’m not going to surrender. I’m going to war.“Are we in war mode?” she asked, to cries of support and applause.“The only flag I will be waving is the PLP flag. Never surrender, ever,” she said.Vance Campbell, running in constituency nine, argued the PLP Government has had to govern through difficult economic times.“We have been through a hurricane in economic terms and endured a hurricane of criticism,” he said. He pointed to One Bermuda Alliance leader’s Craig Cannonier’s walk-out during a press conference this week. He said: “At the first sign of a breeze he abandoned his colleagues.“In spite of that, some of our supporters are talking about not voting. Everyone here knows one person who says he is not voting,” before encouraging supporters to vote and to encourage others to vote.Wayne Perinchief argued that despite OBA claims, the PLP had been supportive of business and pointed to changes in the provision of work permits from a paper document to a card, and said that 632 business had registered in Bermuda in 2012, an increase over last year.The candidate for constituency eight said: “We are not anti-business, we are pro -Bermudians. And we do not hide behind or send a surrogate to tell the story.”Constituency seven candidate Diallo Rabain said: “When people say: ‘Why should I vote? Why would it make a difference?’ I spend 30 or 40 minutes just trying to get them to vote. Not vote for me, just to vote,” he said.“We mustn’t give up. We mustn’t put our future in someone else’s hands, just because we don’t want to get out and vote. We have fought too hard and have come to far to give that up,’ he said. “We have put out our election platform today that does nothing but uplift the Island.”Wayne Furbert told the audience it was his first rally.His is also a first-time PLP candidate having formerly led the United Bermuda Party before crossing the floor of the House of Assembly. He said: “Madame Premier, I am so glad I am a member of the PLP and we are going deliver constituency number six for the party on December 17.”He said: “I know there’s been pain and suffering I’ve suffered with you. I’ve said if I can’t make Bermuda a better place for my children, then I can’t do it for you.”Deputy leader of the PLP Derrick Burgess said the PLP government has done more for seniors “than any government that Bermuda has ever seen”. He pointed to the pension rearrangement so war veterans would benefit, as well as the Sylvia Richardson seniors’ home. “its a wonderful home, and we’ll build more”, he promised.Additionally they have focused on young people with the National Training Board programmes.Lovitta Foggo, who is running in constituency three came on stage to the Phil Colins classic ‘I can feel it in the air.’ But she said: “It is a recurring theme you have to vote,” and said it was an ‘abomination’ not to. “People and people of colour have lost limbs and their lives for us to have the right to vote,” she said.Renee Ming took to the stage with five generations of her family, including her 97-year-old great grandmother. She greeted the crowd saying: “Good evening PLP family.”“My great grandmother could not have survived all these years without the love and support of her family. She has instilled in her children and her grandchildren family values.”She said canvassing in St George’s meant getting a smile and a hug, and a question about her family antecedents. “It’s important because people want to know they are represented by a child of the soil,” she said.“I implore all of you to stand strong and support.”Dame Jennifer Smith said “It is exactly 11 days before you give your PLP candidate your vote.”The constituency one candidate noted it was the season of giving, and encouraged people to give to charity and make sure that children would still have a good Christmas this year despite the economic hardships. “In the true spirit of Christmas, we acknowledge that we are our brother’s keeper,” she saidMany of the candidates including Dame Jennifer described the improvements that have been made in the East End, mentioning in particular the returning Fort St Catherine’s beach to the public, the rectification of the many historic fortifications and the ending of double taxation in the old town.Premier Paula Cox took to the stage with all the candidates who were in attendance last night and called it a “majestic party”.“Let’s come out and vote on December 17, and if you’re travelling, do it next week in the advance poll. Come out and vote early, and vote for the party that stands strong for Bermudians.”